Resources

Do you have concerns about your child’s speech development?

Articulation is how we say sounds and words. It is normal for young children to say some sounds the wrong way. Some sounds do not develop until a child is 4, 5, or 6 years old. Signs of a speech sound disorder in young children include:

Stuttering: Are you wondering when to seek help for your child who may be stuttering? The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends seeking help from a speech-language pathologist as early as possible. Early help can reduce the chances that your child will keep stuttering. You should contact an SLP if any of the following things happen:

• Your child's stuttering has lasted for 6–12 months or more. 
  Many children have disfluencies in their speech. However, if your child seems to stutter for more than 6 months, you should contact an SLP.

• Your child starts to stutter late. 
  Stuttering may be more likely to last if your child starts stuttering after 3½ years old.

• Your child starts to stutter more. 
  Listen to your child, and make note of how often he stutters. See an SLP if his stuttering stays the same or gets worse.

• There is a family history of stuttering. 
  Does someone in your family also stutter? Your child may be at a higher risk for stuttering.

• Your child has another speech or language disorder. 
  Does your child have problems following directions or answering questions? Does she have problems saying sounds clearly? These may be signs that stuttering will last. An SLP can help test her speech and language skills.

• Your child struggles when talking. 
  Your child may have trouble dealing with stuttering. He may tense up or struggle to talk. See an SLP if your child avoids talking or tells you that it is too hard to talk.

• Your child's speech worries you or your family. 
  Do you worry about your child's speech? Has another family member said something about your child's speech? An SLP can help find out if your child stutters or not

• Please see the ASHA webpage for more information

Early intervention is for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Early intervention is available in every state under federal law. In some states, early intervention programs may continue until a child is age 5.

• Missouri First Steps is Missouri's Early Intervention system that provides services to families with children, birth to three years of age, with disabilities or developmental delays.

Child Language

Do you have concerns about your child’s language development?

Language is made up of the words we use to share ideas and get what we want. Language includes speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. A child with a language disorder may have trouble with one or more of these skills.

Signs of language problems include:

Tips to help your child learn language:

• Talk, read, and play with your child.

• Listen and respond to what your child says.

• Talk with your child in the language that you are most comfortable using.

• Teach your child to speak another language, if you speak one.

• Talk about what you do and what your child does during the day.

• Use a lot of different words with your child.

• Use longer sentences, as your child gets older.

• Have your child play with other children.

More information: Your Child’s Communication Development

Learning More Than One Language