Strong communication skills help kids succeed in school, build friendships, and feel confident in everyday life. To speak clearly and understand others, children need to develop certain basic skills—like how they form words (articulation), how their voice sounds (resonance), and how smoothly they speak (fluency).

But for some kids, learning these skills doesn’t come easily. In fact, about 5 to 10 percent of preschoolers experience speech delays that can make it harder to express themselves or keep up with others.

That’s where speech therapy comes in. In this article, we’ll explain what speech therapy is, how to tell if your child might benefit from it, and how to get an expert evaluation to see if services are needed.

Understanding Speech Therapy and the Role of the Speech‑Language Pathologist

Speech therapy is a type of support that helps people speak more clearly and communicate better. It’s led by trained professionals called speech-language pathologists (SLPs), who assess and treat a wide range of issues, including trouble with speaking, understanding language, voice control, and even swallowing.

Some of the most common speech and language challenges in kids include:

• Stuttering

• Trouble saying certain sounds

• Speaking too fast or too slow

• Difficulty understanding or using words

• Problems with how the brain controls speech muscles

(See the table below for a full list and definitions of common speech and language disorders.)

If your child is having trouble speaking or communicating clearly, it might be time to consider speech therapy. A speech therapist—also called a speech-language pathologist (SLP)—is a trained expert who can evaluate your child’s communication skills, diagnose any issues, and create a plan to help them improve.

Recognizing the Signs Your Child May Need Speech Therapy

It’s not always easy for parents to know what’s typical and what might be a sign that something’s wrong. Things like trouble making certain sounds, stuttering, or not understanding or using language properly can sometimes seem like minor hiccups. But in some cases, they may point to a deeper issue that needs attention.

While some speech challenges go away as kids grow, it’s smart to take action early. Getting a speech and language evaluation can help you catch problems before they become harder to treat—and give your child the best shot at strong communication skills.

Often, your child’s pediatrician will be the first to notice a possible speech delay based on age-appropriate language milestones (see chart). They might refer you to an audiologist to check for hearing problems. If hearing isn’t the issue, your doctor may recommend seeing a speech therapist to help your child move forward.

Having a limited vocabulary, not saying first words by 13 months, or generally not meeting the milestones listed in the table can be a sign that your child may need some extra help, perhaps due to a hearing issue or a need for focused speech exercises. Other warning signs include:

• Difficulty forming complete sentences.
• Trouble articulating specific sounds.
• Signs of stuttering or unusual pauses.
• Challenges in understanding simple instructions.
• Social withdrawal or being unusually quiet in group settings.

In any of the above cases, a “wait and see” approach is not a good idea. Fortunately, there’s plenty of hope for a child who gets help in a timely manner. Many parents have seen their toddlers go from a significant speech delay to forming sentences within just a few months of beginning speech exercises.

The Benefits of Early Intervention

Timing really matters. Early therapy leads to much better outcomes, whereas ignoring necessary treatment can cause your child to experience significant and lasting challenges with reading, behavior, and/or socialization due to their delayed language development.

With expert speech therapy for toddlers, your child has a much better chance of enjoying:

• Improved language skills
• Increased confidence
• Better social interactions

As a parent, you can monitor your child’s milestones and seek evaluations proactively. Be observant, and trust your instincts — with something as vital as communication skills for life, it’s better safe than sorry.

How Speech Therapy Works: Methods and Approaches

Therapeutic techniques designed for kids are meant to be fun and unintimidating. Pediatric SLPs use play‑based methods like interactive games, hands‑on activities, verbal matching, and prediction‑based activities.

Other methods for speech therapy include a motor speech approach that supports young people with speech sound disorders resulting from motor planning difficulties (such as apraxia of speech). Therapists use tactile‑kinesthetic cues to physically guide your child’s lips, tongue, and jaw to produce the correct speech sounds.

If you’re concerned about the commitment involved in speech therapy for children, know that you’ll have plenty of scheduling options. From in‑person sessions to teletherapy options like home‑based speech therapy exercises, your speech‑language pathologist will work to make things easy for you. The frequency of sessions may even taper off as your child comes closer to age‑appropriate language development.

Interested in supplementing your child’s speech therapy sessions with some impromptu exercises at home? You absolutely can! SLPs often coach parents with at‑home activities that can include the following:

• Flashcards and picture books
• “Complete the thought” games
• Reading aloud and telling stories
• Modeling correct pronunciation and full‑sentence speech
• Making silly sounds to engage your child

Create a speech‑enriching environment by encouraging conversation during your daily routines and limiting distractions during practice sessions. You can also take advantage of speech therapy apps, workbooks, and language development games.

Help Your Child Build a Foundation for a Lifetime of Smooth Sailing

Recognizing the signs of a language delay is the first step in providing your child with the necessary supportive therapy. If you have concerns, that’s your cue to start the process of seeking a diagnosis and treatment. Remember, early intervention is key — and with the right help, your child may very well catch up with peers in a reasonable amount of time.

Ready to get help for your child? Consult with a qualified SLP or schedule a pediatric evaluation today.