We’re delighted to announce our new speech and language summer camp!  Designed for kids ages 4-8, the camp is appropriate for children WITH or WITHOUT speech-language delays/disorders.

Children will have a fantastic time, while parents will love our language and speech-centered curriculum!

For more info, read all about the camp here:  Charlotte Summer Camp

But hurry, space is EXTREMELY limited…

Our speech-language pathologist Rebekah explains what to do if your child is already receiving speech therapy, but you think he or she needs more.  Many times, parents feel a child in speech therapy isn’t making sufficient progress or feel more therapy is needed.

This short video offers a few suggestions for parents:

The first signs of a speech delay or disorder in a child may be very mild.  As a result, sometimes it is difficult for a parent or caregiver to feel that something is amiss with a child’s speech and language development.  Parent may only become alarmed after the delay becomes more apparent (as the child gets older), or once the disorder becomes more obvious because the symptoms are more prevalent.

Having a child receive a speech, language, and hearing screening is the very first step a concerned parent should take.  Such a screening can help determine if a more extensive speech and language evaluation is warranted.  For a child’s social, academic, and even emotional health, it is critically important to identify speech disorders and delays sooner than later.

Speech disorders have several types:  voice disorders, articulation deficiency, non-fluency and communication disorders can all call for speech therapy.  Here are some signs to look for if you think your child may need speech therapy.  Many of the traits listed below are mostly behavioral signs, and they are relatively easy to observe:

1.  It is not unusual for a very young child to repeat certain words during speaking. If such repetition is a consistent pattern lasting for several months, however, this may be a sign the child needs a speech evaluation by a licensed speech-language pathologist (i.e., speech therapist). Look for instances when the child constantly repeats a word or a phrase over an extended period of time.

2.  Many children put in fillers (“and,” “ah,” “um,” “like,” etc.) while talking. They may also choose some words that are out of context or insert expressions that have no related meaning to what they intend to speak.   This isn’t unusual per se, but if it continues over the course of several months, again it is a good idea to consult a speech therapist.

3.   “Stretching” words is common among children who need speech therapy.  In such instances, children may greatly exaggerate sounds in certain words, or put added stress on certain sounds.

4.   The child may struggle to speak fluently.  Incessant pausing, struggling to speak, getting embarrassed while speaking, moving and swaying while talking, looking here and there and trying to figure out what to say are all signs that indicate the child may need to be evaluated by a speech therapist.

5.  Voice disorders have many symptoms, from hoarseness of the voice to very unusual pronunciation of certain sounds.  If any of these symptoms are present, consulting a speech therapist is recommended.

6.  Apart from the above signs, also be on the lookout for any abnormality or irregularity in normal speaking that is unexpected.

As a general rule, if you have the slightest concerns about your child’s speech and language, don’t hesitate to consult a speech therapist.  Again, a licensed speech-language pathologist will need to evaluate the child to inform you if speech therapy is needed, based on the results of the evaluation.

If you have a child who doesn’t like reading, trying to motivate him or her to read can be quite a challenge.  Reading is important not only for academic success, but also to ensure a child is well-prepared for lifelong learning.

Below are 13 suggestions you can begin using immediately to help children develop more positive feelings about reading.

• Schedule time to read with your child at least once per day.

• As much as possible, have discussions about the book before, during, and after reading.  This strategy can be quite helpful in getting a child to be more open to reading.

• Learn about the child’s interests (animals, sports, even video games), and provide him or her with books related to that subject matter.

• Give the child books with rich, high-quality printing.  Younger children often enjoy “picture books” filled with many pictures, printed on good-quality or glossy paper.

• Ask your child to read a book, and later explain the plot, characters, and other elements of the book to you.

• Give your child an “exclusive bookcase” containing only children’s books.  Include their favorite titles and subjects, but also introduce new books to them.

• Have the child involved in reading as a simple part of your everyday routine: read billboards and road signs with the child while driving; read instructions on the back of laundry detergent bottles; read product labels; read clothing labels; and read recipes while at home.

• Start a “family reading night”:  decide, as a family, what book you’ll read.  Then, once a week, read and discuss the book together.

• Once the child begins to read regularly, offer encouragement by giving books as gifts.

• With younger children, read aloud books with rhymes, such as nursery rhymes.  The rhythmic sounds often help children understand cadences associated with reading.

• Schedule regular outings to the library:  let the child obtain a library card and give the child a tour of the children’s section of books

• Tell the child about current events and popular culture by starting with “I read in the newspaper, that your favorite ____________________ is ___________”

• Children often “do as they see, not as they’re told.”  Make sure you always serve as a good model by reading in front of the child often.

By following the above tips, you may actually help your child develop a love of reading.  At the very least, they will likely feel less reluctant about reading.

Good luck!

Rebekah, a speech-language pathologist in Charlotte, NC, discusses stuttering and the role of speech therapy in young children:

Welcome to our blog!  Check back often for timely posts related to children’s speech and language development!