Babies absorb an incredible amount of information in a short period, which is exciting and fun for parents to watch. However, this rapid pace means children can get left behind just as quickly. There are developmental milestones for almost everything – growth, fine and gross motor skills, and language acquisition, to name a few. Instead of wondering whether there’s an “ideal age” for a toddler to start speech therapy, you’ll want to pay attention to your child and determine if (and when) they are hitting these marks.
When to Get a Speech and Language Assessment
While children develop at different rates, if you notice that your child’s language skills seem to be a bit behind their peers’, it’s time to consider speech therapy for toddlers. Though you may have heard advice that it’s better to take a “wait-and-see” approach, we believe there is no such thing as being too proactive when it comes to your child’s communications skills.
Toddlerhood is an excellent time to start speech therapy because it allows you to take advantage of your child’s brain plasticity and natural receptiveness to learning. Consider these reasons to begin speech therapy when your child is still young:
- They can catch up to their peer group more quickly if there is only a small skill gap.
- It takes more time to unlearn incorrect word pronunciation, speech mechanics, etc., than it does to learn these abilities the right way the first time.
- Early intervention can help your child avoid becoming frustrated when they can’t express themselves correctly.
How to Start Speech Therapy
If you feel intimidated at the thought of introducing your child to an Enablr certified speech pathologist, let us reassure you. Our experts will begin with a simple speech assessment. If your toddler is on track, this evaluation will give you peace of mind. If they need more support, your speech pathologist will develop a tailored treatment plan for you and your child to follow.
We understand that the idea of adding another appointment to your already busy schedule can be daunting. That’s why we provide fully remote speech therapy. Our flexible scheduling allows you and your child to meet with your speech pathologist whenever it’s most convenient for you. Additionally, online therapy uses a highly effective parent coaching approach. This equips you to support your child’s language development and behavior outside therapy sessions. We also offer in-person speech therapy for toddlers whose families live within the greater Nashville metropolitan region.
Overcoming a speech or language delay can take time and patience. To ensure progress and reinforce new skills, your child’s speech therapist will spend part of every session. They will teach you how to practice with your toddler at home, suggest activities that are fun and enjoyable for both of you, and more.
We Look Forward to Working With Your Family
If your toddler has a speech impediment, does not follow simple directions, or cannot make their basic wants and needs known, discover how easy it is to start working with our friendly, knowledgeable team at Enablr Therapy by reaching out to us today.
