How Does Speech Therapy Address a Speech Delay? | Chicago Speech Therapy

How Does Speech Therapy Address a Speech Delay?

If your child seems to be struggling with speech development, or if you think that s/he should have a more complex vocabulary by a certain age, you’re not alone.  Though speech comes naturally for most of us, it can be frustrating to know that your child is able to comprehend the world around him/her, while simultaneously having trouble expressing himself or herself. You may have asked yourself how speech therapy works, or what speech therapists do – if so, you have come to the right place!

Take a moment to think about everything in your body that has to work in order for you to speak.  Your lips, tongue, teeth and facial muscles all play a part in your ability to speak.  There are many complicated mechanisms all working at the same time, and speech therapists have the most comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms and their development.

Speech Development Evaluation

An evaluation of your child’s speech and language will help a speech therapist determine if in fact speech therapy would be recommended. A speech therapist can obtain the best understanding of just how much speech and language your child comprehends and if he or she is progressing at an age-appropriate rate.

If your child has a speech delay, the therapist can also determine exactly which speech mechanisms are in need of attention.  A speech therapist can initially show your child how to communicate effectively via nonverbal cues, which will enhance communication between parent and child and contribute to the child’s speech development.

How does Speech Therapy treat a Speech Delay?

Therapy for a speech delay is not unlike physical therapy.  When rehabbing an injury, we retrain the body to do the things it once did naturally. With a speech delay, a child has the ability to use and understand language, but his/her speech mechanisms need training.  A speech therapist can develop an individualized plan to strengthen and develop the muscles your child needs in order to communicate verbally.  This is often done in an age-appropriate manner using playful and educational resources. The therapist can show you how to make progress in speech fun, and a part of everyday conversation.

Speech therapy for your child can be very helpful for parents as well; the therapist can share additional exercises that you can practice with your child on a daily basis.  Since speech and language play such a significant role in our everyday lives, your interaction with your child is just as important as your child’s sessions with the speech therapist. A speech-language pathologist can give you a better understanding of how to help him/her develop using everyday interactions with your child.

Addressing Speech Delay with Chicago Speech Therapy

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"Elizabeth was an incredibly communicative and supportive therapist for our daughter. We saw impressive improvement quickly, and our 2yo often looked forward to their weekly sessions. Our daughter just graduated from speech and we're so grateful for Elizabeth's expertise, empathy, and support over the past year!"

"We had the most wonderful experience with Chicago Speech Therapy! Our speech pathologist, Miss Megan, developed a bond with our son almost immediately. By week two, he would await her arrival by the window in our front door! She quickly discovered all of his favorite things and would bring so many toys of her own that would keep him engaged and wanting to talk! She gave us (parents) tons of strategies to work with on our own in between her weekly visits. Our son made consistent progress under her care and has now been released from speech therapy ~ which actually makes us so sad ~ simply because we miss Miss Megan! She basically became part of our family and will be dearly missed. I couldn’t recommend Miss Megan and Chicago Speech Therapy more!"

Speech Therapy Services We Offer | Chicago Speech Therapy

Speech Therapy Services We Offer

Our expert speech-language pathologists are equipped to address a wide range of communication challenges, providing tailored solutions for each child's unique needs. From early language development to complex communication disorders, we offer comprehensive support at every stage of your child's journey.