In the News

My child wears hearing aids.  He is able to respond to sounds even when he is not wearing them.  Is it okay for him to not wear them? It is important that children have consistent access to all speech sounds.  Many people with hearing aids are able to hear some

Can frequent ear infections, impact language skills?  Frequent ear infections can absolutely, but not necessarily, impact language skills.  Any change in the ears can create a change in hearing.  Children need consistent and complete access to sounds for ongoing speech and language development.  It is important to monitor developmental milestones

How can I help my child communicate better in child care? This depends on many things, including the developmental age of the child. It Is often helpful to know what skills the child is able to do and be aware of what should come next, developmentally.  For example,

How is speech therapy used to help toddlers? A pediatric speech language pathologist will conduct an assessment through play that will determine if the child is within the typical range of development for communication.  They will look at several areas of communication including speech (clarity of sounds, use of age appropriate

Can sign language be used as an alternative for children who mix up their words when speaking? Sign language can be a great bridge for children who are not yet talking or if their speech is difficult to understand.  Begin with words in their environment that have a

How do I find out if my child is eligible for speech therapy services if there seems to be a delay? Keep in mind that sometimes children are “on the verge” of developing new skills and there is a range of typical development.  Contact your pediatrician and share your concerns. Be

What are techniques I can use to improve speech and language skills in small groups of young children? Are there tips I can give my parents to use at home? Modeling language just above the child’s current level is helpful.  For example, if the children in the group are using

Are there computer technologies or apps that would help my toddler communicate? You are your child’s best teacher!  Talking through your day, singing, imitating sounds and expressions, and reading are all great ways to spend time together. There are many options for technology and while many are “good,”

Some babies are quieter than others.  How do you know if a baby younger than 6 months is delayed in communication? There are many early communication skills a speech language pathologist looks for in babies.  Some of these include making eye contact, making sounds back and forth with a

Does having a very quiet baby indicate there might be a hearing loss? Some babies are just naturally quiet, so it is hard to say.  Does your child respond to sounds of varying volume levels?  Many children with hearing loss may be able to hear louder sounds such as