If you’re here, you’re probably wondering: Why doesn’t my child talk? o Is it normal that you have difficulty pronouncing certain words? Perhaps your pediatrician, developmental psychologist, or neuropediatrician has observed red flags related to language development and recommended an evaluation. It is also possible that teachers at your kindergarten or school have suggested this query. Whatever the reason, here we will explain what you can expect on your first visit with a speech therapist or speech therapist.
Why seek professional help?
When you are faced with concerns about your child’s language, pronunciation, or communication development, it is natural to seek professional help. If you have decided to visit a speech therapist, speech therapist or speech therapist, here we tell you what you can expect during the first consultation.
Preparation for the first consultation
Before the first appointment, you will probably be asked to fill out a detailed form about your child’s developmental history. This document allows us to understand how his communication has evolved from the early stages, how he plays, how he interacts and how he acquires new vocabulary.
During the consultation, aspects such as:
- Specific concerns you have about their speech, language, or communication.
- The context in which these difficulties arose: Was it a recommendation from a specialist? Did you notice anything unusual in its development?
This initial stage is key to understanding the big picture and determining the tools necessary for the evaluation.
How is the language evaluation carried out?
The evaluation process combines clinical observation and standardized tests. This allows us to analyze different areas of communicative development, such as:
- Comprehension and expression of language: How your child understands sentences, expresses ideas and uses their vocabulary.
- Pragmatics: Your ability to communicate socially, including asking for things, asking questions, joking, and giving information.
- Related cognitive aspects: Attention, memory and how these skills influence your use of language.
Choosing the right assessment tools is essential, as each child has unique needs and contexts. These tests will help us determine if language development is in line with their age and educational level.
Possible evaluation results
Following the assessment, specific areas of need will be identified. Some of the common diagnoses or findings include:
- Language disorder or speech delay.
- Pragmatic and social difficulties.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
- Dyslalias or pronunciation problems.
- Childhood apraxia of speech.
In some cases, the result may be more encouraging, indicating only the need to stimulate language or adjust certain parenting strategies to promote proper development.
The role of parents in language development
Regardless of the results, one of the main objectives is to empower you as a parent to be an active facilitator in your child’s communicative development. This implies:
- Implement recommended strategies and activities at home.
- Work as a team with the speech therapist and other professionals to offer the necessary support.
- Foster environments that stimulate social interaction and learning.
The consultation will not only resolve your initial doubts, but will also provide you with tools and resources so that your child reaches their maximum communicative potential. If you need help to clarify your doubts about your child’s development process, complete the diagnosis in our form and contact me to schedule an initial consultation.