Childhood communication topics
Plain-language guides to the areas speech pathologists support, so you can understand what you are seeing and what help looks like.
Speech sound difficulties in children
If your child is hard to understand, or drops or swaps sounds well past the age most children have them, a speech pathologist can help. Speech sound difficulties are one of the most common reasons families seek support.
Language delay and late talkers
Children develop language at different rates, but some need extra support to understand words and put them together. If your toddler is a late talker, or your older child struggles to follow instructions or tell a story, a speech pathologist can help.
Stuttering in children
Stuttering can come on suddenly in the preschool years and is often distressing for families. The encouraging news is that effective, evidence-based therapy exists, and early support tends to help.
Autism and communication support
Speech pathologists are a key part of the team for many autistic children, supporting communication in whatever form works for the child, including spoken words and other ways of communicating.
AAC and support for non-speaking children
Every child has the right to communicate. For children who do not yet speak, or who speak very little, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) provides a reliable way to be heard.
Reading and literacy difficulties
Reading and writing build on spoken language, which is why speech pathologists support children who struggle with literacy. If your child finds reading or spelling hard, support can make a real difference.