5 Signs Your Child May Benefit from Speech Therapy

As a parent, you naturally want the best for your child's development. Speech and language skills are crucial for academic success, social relationships, and overall confidence. Here are five signs that your child might benefit from speech therapy:

1. Limited Vocabulary for Their Age

By age 2, most children should have at least 50 words and be starting to combine two words together. If your child's vocabulary seems significantly behind their peers, it may be time to consult a speech-language pathologist.

2. Difficulty Being Understood

While it's normal for young children to have some unclear speech, by age 3, familiar listeners should understand about 75% of what a child says. By age 4, even unfamiliar listeners should understand most of their speech.

3. Frustration When Communicating

If your child frequently becomes frustrated when trying to express themselves, this could indicate that they're having difficulty finding the right words or producing sounds correctly.

4. Stuttering That Persists

Many children go through a normal period of disfluency between ages 2-5. However, if stuttering persists for more than 6 months or is accompanied by tension or struggle, professional evaluation is recommended.

5. Difficulty Following Directions

If your child consistently has trouble understanding and following age-appropriate directions, this could indicate a receptive language delay that would benefit from therapy.

If you notice any of these signs, don't hesitate to reach out. Early intervention leads to the best outcomes, and our team at Articulink is here to help.