More Than Words | RTS Blog

Since it is spring as well as Better Speech and Hearing Month, we would like to share  a simple analogy with parents and teachers to help encourage speech and language development with infants and toddlers.  Happy speech and language learning this spring!

Your speech should….

Simple but not “baby talk.”    ~Example:  Instead of saying “Put your big, blue shoes on the lower shelf when it is time to take a nap and remember to get your mat,” try “Get your mat. Put your shoes up for nap time.”

Pause so that child has time to respond.  Reduce the number of questions asked to the child and tolerate silence in between communication exchanges.

Repeat the word you want the child imitate or say.  Keep repeating it!        ~Example for target word ball: “You have a ball.  Let’s throw the ball.  Ready, set, go!  Throw the ball to me!  That’s right! You threw the ball!.”

Interpret what the child says.  Say a word another way that might be easier for the child to imitate. 

Narrate and talk about what you are doing and what is going on at the time.

Gesture to try and supplement speech with visual gestures and facial expressions.

  Filed under: Advocacy, Awareness, Better Speech and Hearing, RTS Team, Speech and Language Development

The month of May is dedicated to increasing awareness about communication disorders and the treatment that is available for children and adults who have difficulty hearing, speaking, and/or understanding.  At Raleigh Therapy Services, we have a large team of highly qualified speech-language pathologists who are well-equipped to screen, evaluate, and/or provide necessary treatment to improve the quality of life for those with communication disorders.  Some reasons for a referral to a speech-language pathologist may include:

*Difficulty understanding vocabulary and/or following directions.

*Difficulty being understood by others.

*Decreased expressive vocabulary.

*Stuttering.

*Difficulty producing certain sounds.

*Problems with reading.

*Swallowing/feeding problems.

*Social skills problems.

If you have questions about your child’s speech and language skills or would like a FREE screening, please call our office. 

*Please note that if a speech and language screening is conducted and results warrant further assessment, therapy cannot be started until a full evaluation has been completed.

  Filed under: Awareness, RTS Team, Uncategorized