Pediatric speech therapy supports children with speech and/or language deficits that impact their communication skills across a variety of settings. The speech and language strategies used in therapy have been effective in treating a wide variety of disorders, including children who are non-verbal, have cognitive deficits, suspected or known medical diagnoses such as Autism or Down Syndrome, or use alternative/augmentative communication.
Speech Disorders
- Articulation – production of sounds in words, sentences, and conversation
- Phonology – patterns of speech used
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech – difficulty planning and coordinating movements needed to make speech sounds
- Fluency – stuttering
Language Disorders
- Receptive Language – understanding concepts, vocabulary, grammar, following directions
- Expressive Language – sharing wants/needs and ideas with appropriate grammar and vocabulary
- “Late Talking” – delayed communication milestones before 18 months of age
- Pragmatic Language – social communication and social skills