Child speech therapy

1. Steps Process

• Recognize warning signs — Late talking (no words by 12 months, no two-word phrases by 24 months), difficulty being understood by strangers after age 3, frustration when communicating, limited vocab...
• Consult your pediatrician — Describe your concerns with specific examples; the pediatrician can conduct a basic screening and refer you to an SLP if warranted
• Request a school evaluation (if school-age) — Under IDEA, school districts must evaluate children with suspected speech/language disabilities at no cost; submit a written request to the special edu...
• Contact Early Intervention (ages 0-3) — Your state's EI program provides free speech-language evaluations and services; you can self-refer without a doctor's order
• Schedule a comprehensive speech-language evaluation — An SLP will assess articulation, receptive language (understanding), expressive language (speaking), social communication, oral motor function,...
• Prepare for the evaluation — Complete intake forms documenting medical history, developmental milestones, and current concerns; bring any previous evaluations, IEPs, or medical records; prepare you...
• Attend the evaluation (typically 1-2 hours) — The SLP will observe your child, use standardized assessment tools, evaluate oral motor structures, and assess communication in structured and unstruct...
• Review results and treatment recommendations — The SLP will explain diagnoses, severity, prognosis, and recommended frequency and duration of therapy; you will collaboratively set goals
• Begin therapy sessions — Typically 1-2 sessions per week, 30-60 minutes each; therapy uses play-based activities, modeling, repetition, and structured practice tailored to your child's specific needs
• Practice at home — The SLP will provide home practice activities and strategies; consistent practice between sessions is essential for progress

Common Mistakes

• Waiting until school age
• Not following through with home practice
• Expecting immediate results
• Only using school-based services
• Ignoring bilingual considerations

Pro Tips

• ASHA ProFind directory
• Teletherapy is effective for many children
• Insurance increasingly covers speech therapy
• School and private therapy can work together
• Model correct speech without correcting

Sources

• Expressable — What Is a Speech Therapy Evaluation
• Blossom Children's Center — Speech Therapy Evaluation
• Cincinnati Children's — What to Expect: Speech-Language Pathology
• Associates in Pediatric Therapy — Speech Therapy Evaluation
• Coral Care — Signs Your Child May Need Speech Therapy

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