Speech-Language Pathology: The Importance Of Intervention | Cincinnati Children's

[Elizabeth Alexander, Speech Pathologist]

Welcome to speech language pathology.

Today we will talk about speech and language therapy with babies and toddlers.

First, let's talk about the difference between the word "speech" and the word "language."

Speech is the physical production of individual sounds such as "P," "B," "F," and "S."

We combine speech sounds to form words and sentences.

In contrast, language is the meaning or message that is conveyed through talking.


Many babies and toddlers are seen for speech-language therapy at Cincinnati Children's.

This is important if the child is not producing sounds as expected for his or her age.

It is also important if the child does not seem to understand words or short sentences,

or is not talking as much as expected for his or her age.

The goal of this therapy is to help infants and toddlers to develop important early communication skills.

These skills help build the foundation for a child's future speech and language development.

[Mom] Do you need some help?

Good for you!

Parents are always active participants in their child's therapy.

This is because parents know their child best. It is also important for parents to participate in

speech-language therapy sessions so that they learn how to help their child at home.

[Speech Pathologist] What's he doing? [Child] Crying.

[Speech Pathologist] No! He's slee-ping. [Child] Sleeping! [Speech Pathologist] Good talking!

[Narrator] From birth to age three is considered a critical period for speech language development.

This is because babies' and toddlers' brains are growing and changing rapidly during this time.

Research shows that early speech language therapy is linked to stronger

speech and language skills in preschool, elementary school, high school, and beyond.

It is also linked to later reading abilities.

Early speech language therapy is important because it helps children learn important skills

during the critical period of language development and helps children to create new brain connections

during a time when their brains are specifically wired to learn speech and language skills.

[Ann Kumer, Senior Director] If the child is having difficulty learning these skills,

if we intervene during that critical period of time, we're gonna make much more progress in a shorter period of time

and we're gonna have more success.

[Lowita Powell, parent] He can communicate. He can actually sit down and have a conversation.

And we're truly understanding I want to say 99.9% of what he's saying.

[Narrator] Speech language therapy for babies and toddlers is designed to be fun.

Children develop many important communication skills through play at this age.

Activities are set up to follow the child's lead-in interests.

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about speech language therapy with babies and toddlers.

For more information about our division please visit our website.