As a specialty field, we are not typically approached directly by clients. We rely on other professionals to send us referrals when they feel something is “off” with communication or swallowing ability. Doctors, nurses, audiologists, teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, behavior therapists, psychologists, and early interventionists, are among the professions that frequently collaborate with SLPs. We are grateful for your support!
Consider referring to an SLP if:
Early development:
12+ months – If child is using minimal-no babble or vocalizations, not responding to simple vocal directions like “look” “stop” or their own name, if crying is their only mode of communication, not showing any imitation of gestures, not showing any interest in others talking to or around them
18+ months – If child has not spoken first word yet, if they are not following 1 step directions, if they aren’t imitating environmental/exclamatory sounds (i.e. car sounds, animal sounds, “uh-oh” “yay”)
2+ years – If child is using fewer than 50 words, if they are not combining words, if they are not showing interest in interactive play, if they are not using toys for their intended purpose
3+ – If their speech is difficult to understand by familiar or non familiar listeners, if they are not using some phrases or complete sentences, if they are not engaging in symbolic or social play
4+ – If they show frequent dysfluencies (i.e. stuttering) when speaking. This can be repetition of a single sounds, a syllable, or parts of a phrase. It may also include blocks or unnatural breaks in speech.
Elementary students:
If they show difficulty in learning new age-appropriate vocabulary or grammar structures, difficulty with story/passage comprehension (either when reading or being read to), difficulty inferring meaning from new words using context clues or prefix/suffix.
Vocal quality:
If the voice frequently becomes hoarse, sounds strained, has a persistent nasal quality, unexpected pitch.
Feeding/Swallowing:
At any age, if child is frequently coughs/chokes/gags when eating or drinking certain textures, if they had difficulty with sucking from a bottle, cup, or straw, if they have difficulty keeping food/drink in their mouth, if the foods they eat is very limited, mealtimes are very long stressful.
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