
What's an SLP?
A speech-language pathologist (SLP), also known as a speech therapist, is a healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders. They work with individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly, who have difficulties with speech, language, voice, fluency, and/or swallowing.
Speech-language pathologists help individuals improve their ability to communicate effectively and to understand and express language. They also work with patients who have difficulty with articulation (pronouncing sounds correctly), phonology (understanding and using the rules of speech sounds in language), stuttering, voice disorders (such as hoarseness or pitch problems), and cognitive-communication disorders (such as difficulty with attention, memory, and problem-solving).
Speech Sound Development
Listed below are the ages of acquisition for speech sounds. If your child is experiencing difficulty producing any age-appropriate sounds this may be a sign of a speech sound disorder.
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2-3 Years: P,B,D,M,N,H,W
3-4 Years: T,K,G,NG,F,Y
4-5 Years: V,S,Z,SH,CH,J,L
5-6 Years: TH (voiced), ZH, R
6-7 Years: TH (voiceless)


Expressive Language Development
Below are the average numbers of words that children should have at different ages. If your child is not using the expected number of words, it could be an indication of a language disorder.
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12 Months: 2-6 Words
15 Months: 10 Words
18 Months: 50 Words
24 Months: 200-300 Words
30 Months: 450 Words
36 Months: 1000 Words
48 Months: 1,600 Words