How Do I know if my Child Needs Speech Therapy?

A mother and child talking while doing chores at home.

Identifying the Need for Speech Therapy

Determining whether your child may need speech therapy involves observing various aspects of their communication skills. Do less familiar people have difficulty understanding your child? Is your child frustrated if s/he is misunderstood? Does your child have hearing loss? Is your child "tongue tied"?

Here are some signs to look for:

• Articulation Issues: Difficulty pronouncing sounds or words clearly.

• Language Difficulties: Struggles with vocabulary, using words in the correct order when speaking, or understanding language (difficulty following directions)

• Social Communication Challenges: Difficulty in engaging in conversations, taking turns, or understanding social cues.

• Fluency Problems: Stuttering or interruptions in the flow of speech.

• Voice Quality: Unusual sounding voice; high or low pitch, high or low volume, quality of voice (breathy, harsh, hoarse)

  
  

Referral and Evaluation Process for School Services

If you suspect your child may need speech therapy, follow these steps to initiate the referral and evaluation process:

1. Gather Observations

Document specific instances where your child struggles with communication. Note any patterns or behaviors that concern you.

2. Consult with Teachers

Discuss your observations with your child's teacher or school counselor if they are of school age. They can provide additional insights based on their experience in the classroom.

3. Request a Formal Evaluation

If concerns persist, request a formal evaluation through the school. This can usually be done by:

• Submitting a written request to the school's special education department.

• Completing any necessary forms provided by the school.

• Preschool children are also eligible for an evaluation if you suspect your child needs one. Calling your school's special education department is the first step. If your child is aged birth- 3 years old call your local early intervention provider.

  
  

4. Understand the Evaluation Process

The school or early intervention provider will typically conduct a comprehensive evaluation, which may include:

• Standardized tests to assess speech and language skills.

• Observations by speech-language pathologists.

• Input from teachers and parents.

  
  

5. Review the Results

Once the evaluation is complete, the school or provider will hold a meeting to discuss the findings. You will learn whether your child qualifies for speech therapy services and what those services may entail.

6. Develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

If your child qualifies, an IFSP, IEP or 504 Plan will be created to outline the specific speech therapy services they will receive, including goals and progress monitoring.

7. Follow Up

Stay engaged with your child’s therapy process. Regularly check in with the speech language pathologist and teachers to monitor progress and make adjustments as needed.

Two school aged children socializing at school.

See development chart below for a summary of typical speech language development.

Speech Language Development Chart

Birth to 12 Months

• Coos and babbles

• Responds to name

• Begins to understand simple words

• Uses gestures (e.g., waving, pointing)

  
  

12 to 24 Months

• First words (usually around 12 months)

• Vocabulary of 50 words by 18 months

• Begins to combine two words (e.g., "more juice")

• Follows simple directions

  
  

2 to 3 Years

• Vocabulary of 200-300 words

• Uses simple sentences (2-3 words)

• Asks questions (e.g., "What's that?")

• Understands and uses pronouns (I, you, me)

  
  

3 to 4 Years

• Vocabulary of 1,000 words or more

• Uses longer sentences (3-5 words)

• Can tell a simple story

• Understands basic grammar rules (e.g., plurals)

  
  

4 to 5 Years

• Vocabulary of 1,500-2,000 words

• Uses complex sentences

• Can describe events and experiences

• Understands and uses more advanced grammar

  
  

5 to 7 Years

• Vocabulary continues to grow (up to 3,000 words)

• Can engage in conversations and storytelling

• Understands and uses figurative language

• Can follow multi-step directions

  
  

7 Years and Beyond

• Uses language for various purposes (e.g., to inform, persuade)

• Continues to expand vocabulary and comprehension

• Can understand and produce more complex sentence structures

• Engages in discussions and debates

Conclusion

Identifying and addressing speech therapy needs early can significantly benefit your child's communication skills and overall development. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively navigate the referral and evaluation process for school services.