Understanding Speech Delays: What Every Parent Should Know
Typical Ages That Speech Consonants Mature:
2 years old – /p/
3 years old – /m, n, ng, b, t, d, k, g, f, h, y, w/
4 years old – /v, s, z, sh, ch, j, l/
5 years old – /th, r/
Lots of children have difficulty meeting developmental milestones, but trust your gut.
There’s only so many times a parent wants to hear “She’ll grow out of it”. Consider family history (e.g., Has a parent or sibling benefitted from speech therapy?), the child’s own history (e.g., Was she born prematurely?), and how extra support can help your family. An evaluation will give you helpful information and suggestions.
The earlier the treatment, the better.
Once your pediatrician has submitted a referral for an evaluation it may take weeks or months on a waitlist before you see a speech-language pathologist. If you have some concerns but are on the fence, just take the referral and get on the waitlist. Again, there’s no harm in seeking some expert advice. And maybe it will lead to great treatment which allows your kiddo’s skills to skyrocket.
Stay involved during sessions, and complete simple tips throughout daily routines.
It’s always good to ask questions during sessions or debriefs. SLPs enjoy teaching and coaching caregivers to do what we do. It isn’t rocket science. It’s just a different way of modeling, prompting, and reinforcing.
I like to give families one homework task a week (e.g., Practice making mature /r/ sounds while you read aloud), so they can promote a new skill without feeling overwhelmed. Work with your SLP, and be honest if the follow-through task at home didn’t go well. That’s great data that informs the course the treatment, and empowers everyone.
