​So, what SHOULD be expected of a "typical" toddler or preschooler in terms of speech and language?

First... a few important considerations:

• Yes, there is a wide range of "normal" and every child develops at their own pace in their own way....
• But, don't let the "my-son-didn't-talk-till-he-was-3-and-now-he's-fine!" stories keep you from seeking advice from a qualified Speech Language Pathologist....
• Because, if your child does indeed exhibit a deficit in speech or language, early intervention is HIGHLY EFFECTIVE for preventing, remediating, and even eliminating speech and/or language disorders or potential disorders!

Here are some EXPECTED MILESTONES for young children:

6 months 

• babbling and blowing "raspberries"
• establishing eye contact
• has a social smile
• responds to sound source

12 months 

• says 2-6 words other than "mama" and "dada"
• increased babbling using different consonant-vowel combinations
• responds to "no"
• tries to interact with listeners

24 months  

• usually says 200-300 words (but at least 50)
• begins to use two-word combinations ("mama up", "daddy home")
• points to named pictures in a book
• follows simple one-step directions

3 years

• says about 1,000 words
• combines 3 or more words to make sentences ("big doggie running", "my red car")
• increased use of "wh-" questions ("where daddy go?")
• should be understood by unfamiliar listeners at least 50% of the time
• points to objects when described, such as “What do you wear on your head?”
• watches other children and briefly joins in their play
  
  

4 years

• says about 1,600 words
• using 5+ words in sentences
• should be understood by unfamiliar listeners at least 75% of the time
• follows 2-step directions easily ("go get the red book and give it to grandma")
• takes turns and plays cooperatively

​These are just some BASIC guidelines and not all-inclusive.  But, PLEASE, If you have any concerns about your child's speech and/or language development please contact a Speech Language Pathologist near you today!  

As a parent recently stated, "I wish I had started speech therapy from the jump and found out she didn't need it, than waste nearly half a year waiting to see if she would catch up."

​May is not only Better Hearing and Speech Month...
​today also marks the beginning of National Stuttering Awareness Week (May 9 - 15)! 

No other movie brought as much welcome attention to stuttering or shed as much light on how stuttering impacts a person's daily life than The King's Speech... 
​

Yet, there is still so much misunderstood and unknown about stuttering by the general public.

Here are just a few interesting facts about stuttering you probably didn't know:
​

1. Stuttering affects over 3 million Americans.  That's about 1% of the population.
2. Stuttering affects 4 times as many males as females.
3. Approximately 60% of those who stutter have a family member who also stutters.
4. There are some very famous people who stutter... Emily Blunt, Ed Sheeran, and Johnny Damon, just to name a few.
5. About 5% of ALL children go through a period of stuttering.  3/4 of those children will recover by late childhood, leaving about 1% with a long-term problem.  This is why early intervention is so important.

If you suspect that your child stutters, there are ways that YOU can help them.  
Check out these 7 Tips for Talking With Your Child.

Remember.... no two people stutter alike and that makes it harder to treat. But, there is help! Speech therapy needs to be tailored to meet needs of individuals and how stuttering affects their lives, not just their speech patterns.  It is critical to seek out a Speech Language Pathologist with expertise in stuttering. 

Find support!

• Visit The National Stuttering Foundation for more information about local chapters and support groups near you.  
• For the best and most up-to-date information about stuttering, check out The Stuttering Foundation website.

It's May! Which also just happens to be Better Hearing and Speech Month. So, to kick off this year's BHSM, I'm going to address one of the most common questions I get from parents....

"What sounds should my child be saying?"

To help answer that question, I've made a little diagram you can use as a GUIDELINE for when children GENERALLY master certain sounds.

Side note: Although this diagram is a good general guideline, not all children develop speech in the same way or at the same rate. If you still have concerns about your child's speech PLEASE consult with a certified Speech Language Pathologist near you.

Look for more BHSM posts this month!