As parents we have an endless list of concerns and worries, the formidable task can be determining which of these concerns is valid and which is irrational. Our children’s well-being is typically at the forefront of mind: are they healthy, happy, and thriving? So many facets are involved in parenting that it can feel like an overwhelming task, full of uncertainty and doubt.

As a Speech-Language Pathologist and mom of three boys, I also have experience with parenting concerns and questions regarding my child’s development. I have a multitude of friends who come to me regarding concerns with their child’s speech, communication, and feeding. Because I am familiar with these questions and that is my area of expertise I wanted to share that information with parents here at 409 Family.

As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I work with children in the areas of speech, language, social communication, and feeding. Hopefully, by equipping parents with knowledge of typical development parents can be empowered advocates for their children. While I share the age-appropriate norms and milestones, I want to remind all readers that each and every child is unique and has special strengths. This information is shared so that parents may feel more confident in their knowledge of communication development to be the best possible supporter for their children.

A primary area of speech development is articulation, which refers to the sounds your child is making as they speak. Some articulation and speech errors are developmentally appropriate, however, by the age of 7 all sounds are considered age-appropriate for mastery. Difficulty with speech intelligibility can often make a child frustrated or upset leading to further behavior issues. Age-appropriate articulation skills are important because often the longer an articulation error prevails the more difficult it can be to correct.  This chart provides the current age-appropriate development of sound acquisition.

Language includes both receptive and expressive language. This is both the language your child hears in their environment and the speech they produce. This includes how your child communicates their wants / needs, follows directions or comprehend verbal communication in their environment. These deficits can include areas of language that your child may not understand, but that seem commonplace to you, including figurative language, speech comprehension, or participating in conversations with peers. Social language skills are also crucial to a child’s success and are frequently targeted in therapy sessions. These abilities are crucial to their ease and success in their activities of daily living, both in an academic setting and at home.

If your child is struggling with any of these areas of communication speak to your pediatrician,  reach out to your local school district or contact a local therapy provider. There are many different avenues to pursue speech therapy services. State-funded Early Intervention, school-based therapy, outpatient therapy, and therapists that travel to your home are all options that your child may qualify for.  Here at 409 Therapy Services, we specialize in speech, language and feeding therapy in the Southeast Texas area.  We also have a therapist who specializes in Tethered Oral Tissues (tongue and lip ties) and breastfeeding support.

If you have questions about your child’s speech development, please contact Jessie at www.409therapy.com or 409-449-5498

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Jessie Petty is a mom of three boys, Speech-Language Pathologist with over 12 years of experience, and owner of 409 Therapy Services PLLC. To contact please check the website at www.409therapy.com or call at 409-449-5498.