At Theracare Pediatric Services, we specialize in expert speech therapy for children, helping them improve communication skills and reach their full potential. Our experienced speech-language pathologists work with kids to address articulation problems, language delays, and social communication difficulties. Whether your child needs help speaking clearly, understanding Language, or improving social interaction, our tailored pediatric speech therapy programs are designed to meet their unique needs. Contact us today to learn how our compassionate team can support your child’s communication development and ensure long-term success.

As your child grows, their speech and language development will grow, too. They’ll start saying simple words like “mom,” “dad,” “doggie,” and “milk.” Sometimes, they may stumble over words like “spaghetti” or “sister,” which is normal. But how do you know when speech delays or mispronunciations could signal a more significant issue? When is the right time to consider speech therapy for kids?

These are common questions parents ask, and while there’s no universal “perfect time” to start speech therapy, there are clear signs to look out for. Understanding speech therapy and its services is the first step in helping your child communicate.

This guide will explore when to consider speech therapy, key milestones in speech development, and how early intervention can make a difference for children with speech delays. Whether you’re concerned about a speech delay or simply exploring ways to support your child’s language development, we have the answers you need.

What Is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy starts with one important understanding: all behavior is communication. Many children struggle with an underlying communication disorder that affects their ability to understand Language, express their needs and wants, and fully engage in social interactions or their environment. These challenges highlight the broad scope of speech-language pathology, which addresses various communication and speech disorders. Speech therapy professionals often break communication into six key areas to make it easier to understand. Keep reading to learn how speech therapy can help children improve communication skills, build confidence, and thrive daily.

Speech Development and Disorders: Speech involves articulation, phonology, fluency, and voice. These key areas are essential for clear communication and are often the focus of speech therapy and language development programs.

Receptive Language Explained: Receptive Language refers to the ability to understand and process spoken or written Language. It plays a key role in communication, helping individuals interpret words, sentences, and overall meaning. Improving receptive language skills can enhance comprehension and effective communication in both children and adults.

Expressive Language: Expressive Language refers to how a person organizes, produces, and communicates their thoughts through spoken words. It involves the content of what is said and how it is expressed. Strong expressive language skills are essential for effective communication in daily life.

Social Language: Social Language refers to a person’s ability to use communication skills to interact effectively and appropriately with others. It involves following social communication rules, such as taking turns in conversation, understanding tone and body language, and adapting speech in different social situations. Strong social language skills are essential for building relationships and improving overall communication.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to all communication methods that support or replace verbal speech. These can include tools like communication devices, picture boards, gestures, and text-to-speech apps. AAC helps individuals with speech or communication challenges express themselves effectively.

Executive Function: Executive function skills are essential for planning, organizing, starting, and completing tasks effectively. These cognitive abilities help you manage time, set goals, stay focused, and follow through on responsibilities. Strong executive function is key to productivity and success in daily life, work, and learning.

Using these areas as a measuring stick, a speech pathologist will perform a 90-minute evaluation – assessing a child’s weaknesses, strengths, and possible areas that could be boosted with services. Once an assessment is complete, if treatment is needed, we work with a family to identify speech goals and regularly see a patient for 30 to 45-minute sessions. These sessions typically make up what most people recognize as “speech therapy.”

Is Speech Therapy Right For My Child?

Identifying the Signs

At Theracare, we provide expert speech therapy services for children ages 3-21, specializing in various speech and language disorders. These include articulation issues, fluency challenges, social communication difficulties, receptive and expressive Language delays, and autism-related speech needs. Whether your child has been diagnosed with a speech disorder or you’re noticing signs like trouble speaking, difficulty understanding others, or struggles with social communication, the first step is scheduling a professional speech evaluation.

Taking this first step can feel overwhelming, but early intervention is key to helping your child succeed. Here are a few common signs of speech and language delays to look for at home:

• Difficulty forming sentences or putting words together
• Not using a wide range of words, such as speaking fewer than 50 words by 24 months, could be a sign of delayed language development.
• Struggling to socialize and communicate with other children
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• Struggling to communicate clearly, even with familiar people who know the child well.
• Stuttering
• Pausing a lot while talking
• Trouble understanding and following instructions
• Uneven or delayed development of speech and Language compared to peers
• Difficulty with chewing or swallowing food
• The voice that sounds raspy, nasal, or hoarse

It’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace, so it’s not uncommon for them to struggle with one or more of these areas for some time. However, if you notice these signs persisting over time, it

Benefits of Early Intervention

Early intervention is key. The sooner therapy begins the better the outcomes. Speech therapy can help your child:

• Build confidence in communication
• Improve academic readiness and success
• Strengthen social interaction skills
• Enhance overall development

Inpatient vs. Outpatient

The biggest differences between inpatient and outpatient services are location and duration. At Theracare, inpatient services are available to patients admitted to a residential or acute unit and only extend throughout their stay. Outpatient services, however, are the primary way we see speech therapy patients and allow for a longer continuum of care. These services are available at Theracare, one outpatient clinic, Mesa Clinic. This flexibility allows our providers to care for families no matter their location around the state – even in their own homes!

What to Expect at Theracare Pediatric Services

We begin with a comprehensive evaluation to understand your child’s needs and create a personalized treatment plan. Sessions are interactive, play-based, and tailored to your child’s age and developmental level. Our therapists work closely with parents and caregivers, offering guidance and strategies to support progress at home.

Why Choose Theracare Pediatric Services?

Located in a supportive and nurturing environment, Theracare Pediatric Services offers:

• Licensed and experienced pediatric speech therapists
• Individualized care plans
• Flexible scheduling
• Multidisciplinary collaboration with occupational and physical therapy
• A holistic approach to child development

Additional Services We Offer

Alongside speech therapy, we provide:

• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Learning Center Programs
• Developmental Screenings
• Parent Education and Support

Ready to Help Your Child Find Their Voice?

If you’re wondering, “Does my child need speech therapy?”—we’re here to help you find the answer. Schedule an evaluation today and take the first step in helping your child confidently communicate.

Serving families throughout the region with trusted pediatric therapy services.

Contact us today to learn more or book an appointment.

FAQs: Speech Therapy for Children

Q1: What exactly does speech therapy help with?

Speech therapy helps children improve their communication skills, including articulation, language development, social interaction, voice control, and even feeding or swallowing challenges.

Q2: At what age should my child start speech therapy?

If delays are suspected, speech therapy can begin as early as 18 months. The earlier a child receives support, the better the outcomes, especially in their formative years.

Q3: How do I know if my child has a speech delay?

If your child isn’t meeting developmental speech milestones—such as speaking simple words by 18 months or combining two words by age 2—it may be a sign of a speech delay. An evaluation from a licensed speech-language pathologist can provide clarity.

Q4: Can speech therapy help with stuttering?

Yes, speech therapy is highly effective in helping children who stutter by teaching strategies to manage fluency and reduce communication anxiety.

Q5: How long will my child need speech therapy?

The length of therapy varies depending on your child’s specific needs, age, and the severity of the issue. Some children make rapid progress, while others benefit from ongoing sessions over months or years.

Q6: Is speech therapy covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans cover speech therapy, especially if it’s deemed medically necessary. At Theracare Pediatric Services, we can assist you in verifying your insurance benefits.

Q7: What can I do at home to support my child’s speech therapy?

Parents play a critical role. Following therapist-recommended exercises, reading aloud, modeling speech, and encouraging communication through play can significantly reinforce progress.

Q8: Do you offer bilingual speech therapy services?

Yes, Theracare Pediatric Services offers bilingual speech therapy to accommodate families who speak multiple languages at home.