When should I get help for my child’s language?

This is the question that I am asked most often.

If we were visiting in person, I would tell you that there are two things to consider.

First?

First, I would ask if  your child seems to understand you and follow your simple directions, when you give them?  Is your child looking at you?  Is your child in a relationship with you?

Second?

Secondly, if they are looking at you, following your directions, and seem to understand you, are they speaking words to you?  Can you make sense of their words?

Does it seem that your child needs to work on sounds … or does it seem that they are not getting what you say to them?

If your child is understanding you, I tell parents that the 5th birthday is a key date for me.  If there are any sounds that call attention to themselves when a kiddo is 5, I would go get help.  Five is the age when other children will look confused or will declare that a sound is off.

However…

If, however, your child is not looking at you, not following directions, seeming confused with the language they are hearing, I would say to get help ASAP.

How do you get help?

How?  Children under the age of 3 can receive free care from ECI, Early Childhood Intervention.  Your neighborhood public school can connect little ones with ECI.  Call the public school near you and ask for that information.  I believe ECI provides evaluations and home visits for the little ones.

If you have any questions, I’m happy to help.  My contact link is on the Contact page.