Speech and Language Disorders

Early communicators may not be achieving their speech and language milestones. This may include difficulties using non-verbal communication such as gestures and pragmatics, or verbal communication such as understanding vocabulary and instructions or using words.

Receptive Language is your child’s ability to understand the meaning of what others’ say. This includes difficulties understanding spoken or written words, concepts and sentences. Children need to understand language prior to being able to use language. Expressive Language is your child’s ability to generate ideas and put these into words and sentences that are informative and grammatically accurate.

Speech sound disorders include articulation and motor speech difficulties. Your child may have trouble producing certain sounds or speaking clearly. They may also have difficulties sequencing the movements needed to produce speech. This may include Apraxia of speech.

Early Literacy, also known as Phonological Awareness, is your child’s ability to recognize and work with letters/sounds. These are the foundational skills needed to learn to read.

Stuttering, also known as dysfluency, is an interruption in the flow of your child’s speech. Your child may repeat certain syllables, words or phrases, prolong them and/or get stuck while speaking.