Signs a child may need speech therapy.

Speech therapy may help when a child is not communicating clearly enough for daily life, school participation, safety, or independence.

Few words or delayed language

A child may use fewer words than expected, not combine words, have trouble answering questions, or rely mostly on gestures, sounds, crying, or pulling an adult by the hand.

Speech is hard to understand

If familiar adults understand the child but teachers, relatives, or peers often cannot, speech therapy can help with speech sound production, motor speech planning, and communication repair strategies.

Frustration around communication

Behavior is often communication. A child may cry, run away, push, grab, or shut down because they do not have an easier way to say help, stop, no, break, hurt, or I want that.

Difficulty following directions or participating

Speech-language support can address receptive language, classroom communication, routines, storytelling, play, and social participation.