Pediatric Speech & Language Therapy for Delayed Speech or Language
in West Bloomfield, MI

Is your child 18 (or more) months old and still using gestures to communicate their needs? Or are they 2 (or more) years old and still expressing their thoughts or needs through a limited quantity of go-to words? If you find yourself saying “yes” to either of these questions, your child may be showing signs of a speech or language delay.

At Gigi’s Kids Speech & Language Therapy, our skilled and compassionate therapists are here to help your child. In a home-like environment with a personalized treatment plan, your child will feel supported and empowered as they build essential communication skills to strengthen their independence.

What Is Delayed Speech or Language?

If a child shows signs of a speech delay, this means they struggle to enunciate sounds and words. If a child demonstrates characteristics of a language delay, this means they face challenges when articulating their thoughts or needs, or while trying to understand conversations with other people. In other words, speech is the act of pronouncing words for communication, while language is the system of spoken, written, or signed symbols for easier self-expression and faster comprehension.

The moment you notice traits of a speech or language delay in your child is the moment you should seek professional guidance for their developmental success.

At Gigi’s Kids, a therapist will create a supportive and playful learning experience to teach your child essential communication skills for their daily activities. By following a personalized treatment plan informed by careful assessments and best practices, your child will gain the confidence and independence they need to thrive in life.

Common Signs of Delayed Speech or Language

From birth through early childhood, you will see your child reach various developmental milestones. Here are some common signs of a speech or language delay, at each milestone, that you can look out for as your child grows:

12+ months — does not use gestures for nonverbal communication.
18+ months — uses gestures in place of verbal communication, faces challenges with imitating sounds, or expresses confusion with simple verbal requests.
2+ years — still imitates the nonverbal and verbal communication of others, shows difficulties when forming words or phrases, has a limited selection of go-to sounds and words, or displays struggles with communicating beyond immediate needs or understanding simple directions.

Common Causes of Delayed Speech or Language

There are several reasons a child may experience delays in speech or language development. Some may relate to physical or medical factors, such as:

Challenges with oral and motor skills – A child may have difficulty using their lips, tongue, or jaw to form sounds clearly.
Difficulties with hearing – Hearing challenges can affect a child’s ability to understand or imitate language and produce accurate sounds.

However, not all speech or language delays are linked to medical concerns. In many cases, the delay may be influenced by environmental factors. For example, a child with very attentive siblings may not have as many chances to speak for themselves, or they may benefit from more time to process and respond during conversation.

Sometimes, families simply need support in learning how to provide the right kinds of language models and create more opportunities for their child to communicate. With the right strategies and guidance, many children make great progress.

How Speech & Language Therapy Supports Children with Delayed Speech or Language

At Gigi’s Kids, we share your dream of wanting your child to thrive in life. With guidance from best therapeutic practices and assessments of your child’s abilities, we will craft a personalized treatment plan that helps your child overcome their struggles with delayed speech or language, achieving lasting results.

In a friendly environment with a skilled therapist who cares, your child will learn essential communication skills that strengthen their independence and confidence.

Get Started at Gigi’s Kids Today