Speech-language pathologists, or speech therapists, address the ability
to communicate a message using voice, fluency, articulation, and rhythm,
as well as non-verbal methods such as body and sign language. They help
children understand and use language to express their thoughts, feelings,
and desires by developing optimal communication skills tailored to the
child's specific needs.
Your child may benefit from speech therapy if they have trouble:
Learning how to speak or have a limited use of words
Pronouncing words so that others can understand
Answering and asking questions
Following directions
Responding when his or her name is called
Listening when there is noise in the background
Chewing and swallowing
Controlling excessive drooling
Speaking with peers
Pediatric behaviors that should trigger a referral to speech therapy:
By age 3 years cannot:
Be understood by family and/or caregivers
Correctly produce vowels and such sounds as p, b, m, w in words
Repeat when not understood without becoming frustrated
By age 4 years cannot:
Be understood by individuals with whom they do not associate regularly
Be understood by family and/or caregivers
Correctly produce t, d, k, g, f
Be asked to repeat without becoming sensitive
By age 5 years cannot:
Be understood in all situations by most listeners
Correctly produce most speech sounds
Be asked to repeat without exhibiting frustration
St. Claire offers specialized pediatric speech therapy services including:
Ask your child's healthcare provider to schedule an appointment with St.
Claire Speech Therapy. For further information, contact St. Claire Outpatient
Center at
606.783.6919.
