by Yvonne Martin, SLP at Infinite Path
Speech Language Pathologists support many different areas of communication in children. Here are some of the things an SLP can help your child with:
- Articulation/Speech Intelligibility
An SLP can work with your child on the specific speech sounds or patterns they are having difficulty with so that they can communicate clearly and be understood. Children develop speech sounds at different ages, and an SLP can help determine if your child is using speech sounds that are appropriate for their age.
- Expressive Language Skills (what they say)
An SLP can help your child learn new words and how to put them together to form phrases and sentences so that your child can express their wants, needs, and feelings and talk about their ideas and experiences. This can be with words or other forms of communication, such as signs, gestures, pictures, or high-tech communication devices.
- Receptive Language Skills (what they understand)
An SLP can help your child learn new words so they can understand and follow directions, answer questions, and participate in conversations.
- Speech Fluency/Stuttering
An SLP can help your child learn skills to be able to speak more smoothly
- Literacy Skills
An SLP can help your child with literacy skills, including language and phonological awareness skills that are needed to learn to read.
As an SLP, I love to work on communication skills in fun and meaningful activities using play, books, crafts, songs or whatever is motivating to your child. I also work with parents to give them strategies they can use in daily life to support their child’s communication skills.