SPEECH THERAPIST

A Speech Therapist is the professional responsible for the prevention, assessment, and intervention of communication, language, speech, and swallowing in individuals of all ages. They enhance functionality, increase skills, and improve the quality of life for families.

Areas of expertise:

• Verbal and non-verbal communication;
• Oral and written language;
• Speech (articulation, voice, fluency);
• Suction, breathing, swallowing, and chewing;
• Orofacial motor skills.
  

What to look for:

• Does not smile or interact with others (first few months);
• Does not babble (4 - 7 months);
• Produces few sounds and gestures, such as pointing (7 - 12 months);
• Does not understand what others say (7 - 12 months);
• Produces few words (12 - 18 months);
• Speech is difficult to understand for others (18 months - 2 years);
• Does not combine words to form sentences (18 months - 3 years);
• Has difficulty playing and talking with other children (2 - 3 years);
• Omits and/or substitutes sounds in words;
• Exhibits blocks, repetitions, and prolongations of sounds, syllables, or words;
• Has a hoarse or nasal voice;
• Primarily breathes through the mouth (mouth breather);
• Has difficulties in chewing and swallowing food;
• Encounters difficulties in reading and writing.