Children’s Speech and Language Therapy

Language Development 18 Months Expect at 18 months: 6-50 single word representations, e.g. ba = ball Can point to body parts Refer soon after 18 months if: child can not respond to own name select an object from 3 by name follow instructions in context request things through any means, e.g pointing use sounds to refer to people or objects engage in turn taking in play

Language Development 2.5 years Expect at 2 years: Understands most everyday actions/words follows a two part command, e.g. give dolly a drink Uses over 50 words and two to three words in a phrase Speech is unclear Refer at 2.5 years if Child can not follow simple instructions as above Is not using short phrases Is not playing constructively

Speech Sounds Refer at age when the box ends or after the age of 3 years if child sounds very disordered and very unintelligible

Language Development 3.5 years Expect at 3 years Understands concepts like colours, size, position follows commands out of context singing songs/telling simple stories make believe play unclear speech (see sound chart) Refer at 3.5 if: Can not follow commands out of context Lack of imaginative play Not engaging in stories/songs

Language Development 4 years Expect: Understands, shape colour, quantity, position participates in social conversation becoming grammatically correct and clear forming friendships Refer soon after 4 if: Speech is unclear for sounds which should be in place(see sound chart) concerns with social communication Difficulties in above areas

Language Development School Age Children will continue to develop in: Concepts e.g. hot, cold, size shape etc. Story telling ‘Wh’ questions - who what where when why etc Speech should be clear by the age of 8 years Refer if: Language skills are below average for their age and this is not attributable to a learning disability Learning disability is severe and alternative communication is required Speech difficulties - unclear or dysfluency (stammer)

Other Reasons to Refer is selectively mute At any age refer if the child : is stammering has a voice disorder has a cleft palate is not interacting appropriately with others, e.g no eye contact, not turn taking etc. is selectively mute Go

Inappropriate Referrals Children with speech sound difficulties which are within normal limits (see sound chart) (especially ‘s’ ‘f’ ‘l’ ‘r’ ‘th’ or clusters ‘sp’ ‘cr’ Children with lisps under 7 Years Children with mild to moderate delay Children with literacy difficulties only Stop