How to know if speech therapy is for me?
Every child develops at their own pace, but there are times when extra support may be helpful. If you have concerns about your child's communication, feeding, or development, a speech-language evaluation can provide answers, guidance, and peace of mind.
Your child may benefit from an evaluation if they:
• Have difficulty eating, drinking, chewing, or swallowing safely
• Have a very limited variety of accepted foods or avoid entire food groups
• Experience feeding challenges that affect nutrition, growth, mealtimes, or family routines
• Have trouble understanding simple directions or identifying familiar people, objects, or pictures by around 18 months
• Use very few sounds, words, signs, or gestures between 18–24 months
• Are not combining words into simple phrases by age 2
• Lose speech, language, feeding, or social skills they previously demonstrated
• Have difficulty engaging with others, responding to their name, making eye contact, or using communication for social interaction
• Repeat words, sounds, phrases, or play routines over and over
• Are difficult for familiar listeners to understand after age 2
• Seem frustrated when trying to communicate or have difficulty producing sounds and words clearly
Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel quite right, seeking an evaluation doesn't mean something is wrong—it simply provides an opportunity to better understand your child's strengths and determine whether additional support could be beneficial.
Changes in communication, memory, thinking, voice, swallowing, or overall function can affect everyday life in ways that are frustrating and overwhelming. Whether concerns have developed gradually or occurred following an illness, injury, or medical diagnosis, an evaluation can help identify strengths, challenges, and the best path forward.
You or your loved one may benefit from an evaluation if they:
• Have difficulty finding the right words or expressing your thoughts clearly
• Notice changes in memory, attention, problem-solving, or organization
• Experience challenges with communication following a stroke, brain injury, concussion, or neurological condition
• Have a voice that sounds hoarse, weak, strained, or different than usual
• Cough, choke, or feel like food or liquids "go down the wrong way" when eating or drinking
• Avoid certain foods or drinks due to difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Feel that communication challenges are impacting relationships, work, school, or daily activities
• Have noticed a decline in communication, thinking skills, or swallowing abilities over time
• Feel less confident participating in conversations or social situations
You know yourself and your loved one best. If you've noticed changes that are affecting your daily life, an evaluation can provide answers, recommendations, and support. Seeking help isn't about focusing on limitations—it's about finding strategies and solutions that help you communicate, participate, and live more confidently.