Is My Child’s Speech Development Delayed?

Will early intervention therapy (EI) make a difference?

When a child falls behind their peers in one or more areas of emotional, mental, or physical growth, it’s referred to as a developmental delay.

Language and speech are the most common type of developmental delays. While speech refers to verbal expression, language is a much broader system of expressing and receiving information, such as being able to understand gestures.

Signs of Speech or Language Delays

It’s important to contact your child’s pediatrician if your child has any of the following signs at the age that’s indicated within the following developmental milestones.

By 4 months, if your child:

• Coos, makes gurgling sounds
• Turns head toward sounds
• Begins to babble
• Babbles with expression and copies sounds he hears
• Cries in different ways to show hunger, pain or being tired

By 6 months, contact the pediatrician if your child:

• Responds to sounds by making sounds
• Strings vowels together when babbling (“ah,” “eh,” “oh) and likes taking turns with parent while making sounds
• Responds to own name
• Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure
• Begins to say consonant sounds (jabbering with “m”, “b”)

By 9 months, if your child does not:

• Understands “no”
• Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
• Copies sounds and gestures of others
• Uses fingers to point at things

By 1 year, contact the pediatrician if your child:

• Responds to simple spoken requests
• Uses simple gestures, like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye”
• Makes sounds with changes in tone (sounds more like speech)
• Says “mama” and “dada” and exclamations like “uh-oh!”
• Tries to say words you say

By 2 years, contact the pediatrician if your child does not:

• Points to things or pictures when they are named
• Knows names of familiar people and body parts
• Says sentences with 2 to 4 words
• Follows simple instructions
• Repeats words overheard in conversation
• Points to things in a book

Speech & Language Evaluation

If you or your child’s pediatrician suspect a speech or language developmental delay, it is important to receive a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified pediatric speech-language pathologist (SLP). The evaluation will provide detailed information specific to your child to determine if therapy is recommended. If therapy is recommended, an individualized one on one treatment plan is created and approved by your child’s physician. If therapy is not recommended, the therapist may provide resources to assist you in strengthening your child’s area of concern.

Early Intervention

Solace Pediatric Home Healthcare is the leading provider of pediatric occupational, physical, speech, behavior and feeding therapy services in the state of Colorado delivered in the home in-person or through a seamless interactive virtual experience. Our 400+ clinicians have provided therapy to 4,000+ children from birth to 21 years. Since 2005, we have provided one million visits.

In-home early intervention therapy care uses evidence-based techniques tailored to meet your child’s needs with a child- friendly focus. By providing one-on-one individual care in your child’s natural environment, we assist in establishing a strong foundation for future learning to give your child the ability to reach their best life.

Our mission is to support you and your family in providing professional clinical evaluations, treatment options, resources and information so you feel empowered to make the best decision for your child and family.

How to Refer Your Child

• Option 1 | I want to refer my child for an Evaluation/Therapy. If you know you would like to speak to our patient advocate to discuss scheduling an initial evaluation with a licensed pediatric therapist, simply complete and submit the Referral Form so we may contact you. Please provide as much information on the secure/encrypted form as possible as it is required to begin the process. We do accept Medicaid and most insurances.
• Option 2 | I Want to Be Contacted. If you would like to speak with our patient advocate for more information prior to submitting a Referral Form, simply complete the Contact Me Form and submit.
• Option 3 | If you prefer to contact us to discuss your child, please call our team. You can reach us by phone at: (Denver) 303.432.8487; (Colorado Springs) 719.623.5463; (Northern Colorado) 970.775.8476; and (Pueblo) 719.695.4535.

For additional information, visit us at  www.solacepediatrichealthcare.com