“Learning to speak is one of life’s most important accomplishments.”

(Reilly, Mckean, Morgan & Wake)

 

This short video demonstrates the impact of “invisible” communication disorders and how speech therapy can improve your family’s quality of life:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG50fv-B3Uk

 

TALKING POINT is an excellent site with lots of great information on communication, including what to expect at different ages:

http://www.talkingpoint.org.uk/

• A quick and easy way to check the progress of your child’s language development:

http://www.talkingpoint.org.uk/progress-checker

• Tips for talking with your child:

http://www.talkingpoint.org.uk/directory/free-resources-parents

AFASIC

http://www.afasic.org.uk/

• What do speech pathologists really mean when they say ‘speech’, ‘language’ or ‘talking’?

http://www.afasic.org.uk/about-talking/what-do-we-mean-by-talking/

• Is your child bilingual? Find out more about assessment and management of communication difficulties when your family speaks more than one language:

www.afasic.org.uk/download/28/

• Ever stopped to consider the number of steps in the communication chain? Look at all the places where it could break down!

http://www.afasic.org.uk/about-talking/what-skills-are-involved/the-communication-chain/

WORDS FOR LIFE

• Watch this mother using a ‘still face’ versus ‘expressive face’ with her child – it’s a fascinating reminder of how crucial it is to respond to your child’s attempts at communication:

http://www.wordsforlife.org.uk/baby/milestones

• Fantastic tips for grandparents on communicating with grandchildren:

http://www.wordsforlife.org.uk/communicate-with-your-grandchild

• Want to learn how to use apps to develop your child’s communication skills?

http://literacyapps.literacytrust.org.uk/

 

THE BRITISH STAMMERING ASSOCIATION

• Ways to help your preschool child who stutters:

http://www.stammering.org/help-information/parents/under-5s/bsa-leaflets-parents-under-5s/stammering-preschool-children-how

• Do you have a bilingual child who stutters?

http://www.stammering.org/help-information/parents/under-5s/bsa-leaflets-parents-under-5s/stammering-and-bilingual-child

 

By Nicola Anglin (Speech Pathologist)

 

References:

Identifying and managing common childhood language and speech impairments

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276338135_Identifying_and_managing_common_childhood_language_and_speech_impairments