Concerned about your child’s language development?
According to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), there may be cause for concern if a child:
- isn’t talking by eighteen months;
- has speech that is unclear
- has speech and language that differ from those of children of the same age
Additionally, by 18 to 24 months, most children:
- understand approximately 200 to 300 words
- can say at least 50 words
Children not reaching these milestones on time may be at higher risk for developing language difficulties that could last into the pre-school and school years. Early intervention and parent training in language stimulation techniques can minimize the long-term impact of delayed language development.
What is parent training?
Training typically consists of six 50-minute sessions with a speech-language pathologist, the parents/caregivers and the child. Any other adult regularly involved in the child’s care can also attend sessions. The number of sessions may be modified based on the family’s needs and some may exclude the child.
At these sessions, parents will learn:
- how to set appropriate language goals for their child
- language facilitation/stimulation techniques
- how to implement these techniques at home and in everyday situations
For more information about parent training, contact our intake coordinator at (514) 489-4320, ext. 237.