How to Get Your Toddler Talking

Tips to Help your Child Succeed with Speech and Language

Jan 18, 2008 Laura Block-Stewart

Specific tips are identified to help toddlers begin to communicate and become successful at the art of communication.

Learning to communicate is a crucial step for toddlers as they begin to maneuver their way through the world. Some children don’t have any difficulty and begin speaking before they turn one and others take years to learn to effectively communicate. For those in the latter position, it can be frustrating for both the child and the parents. Severe temper tantrums can occur because a child doesn’t have the ability to state needs and desires. Difficulties and inabilities to communicate, if not dealt with, can have a devastating impact on a child’s future relationships and education.

So what can parents do to help their child begin to speak and to feel successful at the art of communication? Here are some tips to help your child succeed.

Have Your Child Evaluated by a Speech and Language Pathologist

Have your child evaluated by a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) to determine if speech therapy is necessary. SLP’s help children overcome and deal with specific speech and language disorders. The website Kidshealth.com identifies “a speech disorder as a problem with the actual production of sounds and a language disorder refers to a difficulty understanding and putting words together to communicate ideas.” An SLP can help parents diagnose the problem with the child’s speech or language skills.

The evaluation should involve an assessment of speech and language as well as cognitive abilities, communication abilities, swallowing skills, etc. The SLP will diagnose the problem and create a report that outlines the challenges the child needs to overcome and the goals the child will meet in the future.

If the SLP identifies or is concerned about a specific medical condition such as autism, oral/motor concerns, developmental delays, respiratory problems, cleft lip or palate, hearing loss, etc. move forward and begin therapy as soon as possible. Don’t wait, as early intervention is crucial.

If a specific medical condition has not been determined, but the child is still having difficulty communicating by 18 months of age, seek the evaluation as well. Either way, the SLP can decide if therapy is needed or can provide specific guidelines as to what to do to help your child enhance speech and language production at home.

Find the Right Speech and Language Pathologist

Take the time to find the right SLP. Be sure the SLP is certified, has a master’s degree, and has experience working with children of the same age and with the same or similar condition. Ask the SLP for references from other parents and questions regarding whether therapy was successful for their child and whether the SLP was both patient and compassionate.

Also, consider choosing an SLP who continually improves their skills and knowledge and has the ability to determine the best course of therapy and initiate a new course if necessary. Ask other parents who have utilized the services of the SLP to determine if this is the case.

Follow the SLP'S Directions

Once a quality SLP has been hired be sure to follow specific directions set forth. The SLP sees the child for only a few hours per week, so parents are ultimately responsible for following through with techniques provided. The SLP will concur- parent involvement is crucial to the success of the therapy!

Work with a Music Therapist

Lastly, consider choosing an SLP that is open to incorporating a music therapist in therapy sessions. Music therapy has a myriad of benefits and there is a substantial body of literature that exists to support the effectiveness of music therapy. Not only can it enhance a child’s communications skills, but it can be fun as well. The SLP and the music therapist can work together to determine specific goals for the child and ensure all goals are met.

Following these tips will help your toddler begin to communicate and will help build their confidence to continue to communicate for years to come.

Reference:

Kidshealth.com

The copyright of the article How to Get Your Toddler Talking in Early Childhood is owned by Laura Block-Stewart. Permission to republish How to Get Your Toddler Talking in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

A Child who Communicates Is Often Happier