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Concerned About Child Speech Sound Development? See if Your Child’s On Track
Most kids develop the ability to move and speak in a fairly predictable pattern. Although it’s true that child speech sound development can vary, we use “speech sound norms” based on the most common development patterns within a certain peer group to determine whether a child’s speech skills are on track.
(Note, the chart above is specifically for native English speakers. Children who are multi-lingual may develop some of these sounds at different ages than what’s shown here – but it’s still a good idea to consult with a Fort Myers speech therapist for kids if you have any concerns.)
Monitoring child speech sound development is important to ensure they’re reaching age-appropriate milestones. If they are not, early intervention speech therapy may be warranted.
Sometimes parents who note a speech sound or language delay with their kid are tempted to “wait and see” – partly because it can sometimes sound cute but partly to determine whether it actually pans out to be a problem. We don’t recommend this – and not just because this is our area of practice. The reason is that a “wait-and-see” approach can lead to compounding developmental issues, such as reading/literacy difficulty, social struggles, and behavior trouble. The sooner you seek treatment, the faster they can catch up to where they need to be.
The reason early intervention speech therapy for child speech sound development is highly effective is because the younger the child, the more flexible and adaptable their brains are. That makes it easier for them to learn and develop new speech patterns. Getting ahead of speech-language delays in the early stages is usually much easier than trying to chase up/correct patterns that have already become ingrained.
Our Fort Myers speech therapists for kids develop tailored strategies and exercises that meet each child’s specific needs, with the ultimate goal of gradually improving their speech sound development. We also provide parents with tools, tips, and tactics to carry over these lessons at home. These further reinforcements help kids more expeditiously master these key communication skills.
FOCUS offers pediatric speech therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
Beyond Baby Talk, The Ultimate Guide to Language Development for Parents, By Kenn Apel, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Julie J. Masterson, PhD, CCC-SLP, Random House
More Blog Entries:
Why Occupational & Speech Therapists in Fort Myers Teach Kids Inferencing, Aug. 31, 2023, Fort Myers Speech Therapist Blog
Fort Myers Occupational Therapy Tips for Maximum Attention & Listening
Is your child always “buzzing” off-the-walls? To maximize attention & listening, try these Fort Myers occupational therapy tips. They can be especially helpful for kids who are neurodivergent, language delayed, or diagnosed with conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
So often when we’re exasperated because our child “won’t listen,” we assume it’s because they’re being willfully defiant. However, as our Fort Myers occupational therapy team can explain, a child might HEAR you, but with conditions like ADHD, there are fundamental barriers to paying attention and language processing.
A child first needs to know that you even want their full attention. As adults, it’s our job to clearly communicate that we want them to really listen and respond to us in this moment. This is why saying their full name, ensuring you’re making eye contact, maybe touching their shoulder, or even getting on their level is helpful. Then you can clearly state that you want them to give you their full attention.
If the issue is language processing (understanding what is being said to them), it can often look like “not listening” or “misbehaving” or “not playing nicely.” That’s not at all their intention – they just aren’t as quickly processing and responding to what’s been communicated with the fast-paced back-and-forth communication flow we’ve come to expect as typical for other kids their age.
If you aren’t sure whether they’re truly understanding what you’ve communicated, start by simply asking them if they did – and have them repeat your message back to you as they understand it. Our Fort Myers occupational therapy professionals often find that just this simple step can be so eye-opening in terms of allowing us to see what a child is actually absorbing from the auditory language input they’re receiving.
We find that for a lot of kids with ADHD and language delays/disorders, visual schedules, stories, or reminders can be incredibly helpful.
Our pediatric occupational therapists can provide FOCUS parents and caregivers with a plethora of tips and strategies – specific to your child – that will help set them up for success and ease your frustrations about them “not listening.”
FOCUS offers pediatric speech, occupational, physical, and ABA therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
ADHD and Behavior Problems, By Caroline Miller/Dave Anderson, PhD, Child Mind Institute
More Blog Entries:
Why Occupational & Speech Therapists in Fort Myers Teach Kids Inferencing, Aug. 31, 2023, Fort Myers Occupational Therapist for Kids Blog
Top Fort Myers ABA Therapy Misconceptions
As Fort Myers ABA therapy practitioners, we have been confronted with so many misconceptions about this treatment. We’re passionate about this work because we see the phenomenal difference it makes in the lives of these kids, their families, and their communities – but we’re also enthusiastic when it comes to explaining this value.
Part of the reason ABA therapy tends to be misunderstood is because it’s a relatively new form of therapy (at least when compared to speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy). It is an evidence-based therapy, with many strategies tried-and-tested over the course of nearly 100 years. But it wasn’t until the 1970s and 1980s that it truly started to take off – with the rapid rise in childhood autism rates.
Another source of common misconceptions is the fact that in the very early days, practice was sometimes based on a limited understanding of behaviorism – and thus tended to be overly-rigid and even punitive. This didn’t yield the best outcomes – which is why it’s no longer practiced that way. As our Fort Myers ABA therapy team can wholeheartedly attest, it has truly evolved so much since then. We encourage parent/caregiver questions about our therapy approach and philosophy – which is always child-centered, individualized, and leans heavily on positive reinforcement-based strategies.
Lastly, ABA therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. There’s flexibility in how behavior therapy is implemented, depending on the therapist’s training, the specific goals set, and the individual needs/abilities of the child. It’s all evidence-based, but with access to a range of different approaches, we’re assured there’s almost always a verified alternative if a particular strategy isn’t working. That means we can meet the child where they’re at, instead of trying to force round pegs into square holes.
Knowing where some of these ABA therapy misunderstandings arise helps us counter with facts and direct insight from those actually conducting therapy – and feedback from parents & families whose children are receiving it.
FOCUS offers ABA Therapy and ADOS testing in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
The Evidence-Based Practice of Applied Behavior Analysis, May 2014, The Behavior Analyst
More Blog Entries:
5 Steps to ABA Therapy in South Florida, May 24, 2022, FOCUS Therapy Fort Myers Blog
How Do I Know if Fort Myers ABA Therapy is Right for My Child?
As Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who provide Fort Myers ABA therapy, we understand the importance of carefully considering whether this type of intensive intervention therapy is the right fit for your child.
Because the practice of ABA (short for Applied Behavioral Analysis) is relatively new compared to other therapeutic interventions like speech therapy or occupational therapy (it emerged in the 1970s), it’s still the subject of some controversy. But there is a reason so many highly-educated and experienced pediatric specialists who work with children with autism and other neurological disorders and disabilities on a daily basis continue to refer so many of their young patients to it. Quite simply: It works.
There is a mountain of evidence that establishes the clinical effectiveness of ABA, particularly for kids on the autism spectrum. It is recognized as an evidence-based practice. That means that all the strategies we implement in our Fort Myers ABA therapy sessions are supported by ongoing evidence.
At its core, ABA is about improving communication and effectively reinforcing expected behaviors so that a child is able to safely and successfully navigate everyday situations – from self-grooming to social interactions to classroom rules.
If you’re considering whether Fort Myers ABA therapy is right for your child, these are the steps you’ll take:
- Assessment and Diagnosis: The first step is to have your child assessed by a qualified professional for a potential autism diagnosis. This assessment will help you understand the specific areas of need and the challenges your child faces. ADOS testing is the most widely-used – and it’s something FOCUS offers.
- Functional Assessment: BCBA will conduct a functional behavior assessment to understand the reasons behind challenging behaviors and develop targeted interventions. If your child struggles with behaviors that impact their daily life, ABA therapy can help address these challenges.
- Verify Insurance Coverage. If your child has a medically qualifying diagnosis for which ABA therapy is an approved treatment, your insurance may provide coverage. At FOCUS, we are advocates for our patients and will go to bat for our patients if they’re facing resistance from insurers to cover medically-approved therapies. (If this continues to be an obstacle, we do have self-pay options, as well as Behavior Consulting services that could at least be a starting point.)
- Commitment to the process. ABA therapy is grounded in evidence-based practices that have proven to be effective in treating individuals with autism (and sometimes other conditions, like Down Syndrome). We aim for a family-centered approach, and prioritize improvements in communication, social skills, and adaptive behaviors. But it only works if families are committed to the process – not only showing up to each scheduled therapy session, but also to carrying over these lessons at home and in the community. This always leads to the best long-term results.
If you’re unsure about whether you want to initiate these services, you might consider Behavior Consulting (as previously mentioned) or committing to it for at least a trial period of 4-6 months. See how your child responds, whether they positively engage with the therapist, if they’re comfortable with the clinic/staffers, and whether they’re making some measure of progress.
The benefits of ABA therapy are many, but progress never happens overnight. And every child is unique, so there’s never a one-size-fits-all approach that will work for everyone. But we’re committed to figuring out what DOES work – for each and every one of our patients. We don’t want anything holding them back in life!
If you have questions about our Fort Myers ABA therapy services and would like to schedule a time to meet with our team and/or tour the facility, please reach out to our team at FOCUS Therapy!
FOCUS offers pediatric speech therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
Debunking 7 Common Myths About ABA Therapy, Aug. 29, 2022, Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education & Psychology
More Blog Entries:
FOCUS Therapy Now Offers Behavior Consulting for Southwest Florida Kids, May 24, 2023, FOCUS Therapy Blog
Why Occupational & Speech Therapists in Fort Myers Teach Kids Inferencing
Inferencing is often thought of as a “school skill.” But as our occupational & speech therapists in Fort Myers can explain, it’s one that starts to develop long before kindergarten and has far more applications than a language arts class.
In fact, we use inferences so frequently, we often don’t realize we’re even doing it.
Inferencing is a form of logical deduction wherein we make logical guesses about “why” or “how” or “what happens next” – based on available evidence and previous knowledge/experience. It’s more about what is not being said. It’s used all the time – when we’re reading a book (“Is she telling the truth?”), when we’re driving (“what will the guy in the blue Honda do next?”), when we’re talking with a friend (“why do they look so sad?”), or when we’re shopping (“Will Jenny eat these kind of crackers?”).
As pediatric occupational & speech therapists in Fort Myers, we recognize that kids need to be able to u understand the unspoken connection between statements, as well as the meaning behind it all. Children with conditions like autism tend to struggle with “reading between the lines” and understanding concepts beyond what is literal and tangible. By explicitly teaching and reinforcing inference-making in our therapy sessions, we help them with goals like reading comprehension, reading engagement, and overall improved metacognitive thinking.
FOCUS offers pediatric occupational & speech therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
Explaining Reading Comprehension in Children With Developmental Language Disorder: The Importance of Elaborative Inferencing, Oct. 26, 2018, Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
More Blog Entries:
Screen Time Speech Delays = Higher Speech Therapy Fort Myers Demand, Aug. 24, 2023, Southwest Florida Speech Therapy Blog
Update: FOCUS Therapy to Re-Open Thursday, Aug. 31st
In following the lead of the Lee County School District, FOCUS Therapy will resume in-clinic sessions with our patients on Thursday, Aug. 31st.
Weather-related concerns due to Hurricane Idalia are no longer pertinent to our area in Fort Myers / Southwest Florida.
We continue to pray for the safety & well-being of everyone in the path of the storm. 💚
Important Announcement From FOCUS Therapy
Due to the anticipated tropical force winds in our area from Hurricane Idalia, FOCUS Therapy is closed Wednesday, August 30th. We follow the lead of the Lee County School District. A decision about whether to open Thursday, Aug. 31st should be announced sometime this afternoon.
We are praying for the safety & well-being of everyone in this storm’s path. 
Screen Time Speech Delays = Higher Speech Therapy Fort Myers Demand
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics showed that when 1-year-olds are exposed to 4+ hours of screen time daily, they experience developmental delays in speech-language communication and problem-solving skills. In turn, we’re seeing even demand for those seeking speech therapy Fort Myers creep every higher.
We note this for two reasons (neither of which is to shame parents for screen time habits because – look, we get it!). But we think it’s important to note that:
- The more you can prioritize face-to-face interactions and communication over screen time – particularly with babies, toddlers, and very young children – the better.
- If you do suspect a delay in communication skills, it’s not in your child’s best interests to “wait and see.” For one thing, delaying early intervention services like speech therapy Fort Myers often only results in compounding the child’s speech-language deficits. But beyond that, with more kids than ever needing services, the waitlists are likely to be longer. The sooner you get the ball rolling, the faster you can secure the services that will help ensure your child thrives.
Also, it’s worth pointing out that the study didn’t expressly conclude that it was excess screen time that directly caused developmental delays among toddlers. In fact, the researchers theorized that the pattern probably had more to do with the fact that face-to-face time is so valuable for babies and young children, and those with 4+ hours of time on screens are getting less of that. This is why rather than admonishing anyone about their kids’ screen use, our Fort Myers speech therapists underscore the importance of time spent just talking, singing, and generally interacting with your child.
The Value of “Face Time” With Your Young Child
As pediatric speech therapists, we are closely familiar with the fact that early interactions play a critical foundational role in shaping a child’s communication skills, cognitive development, emotional understanding, and social engagement. Face-to-face interactions provide a rich and dynamic environment for learning and growth.
They are essential for fostering healthy development in the following ways:
FOCUS Therapy Prioritizes Therapist Relationships With Patients & Parents
At FOCUS Therapy, one of the first things we do when starting speech, occupational, or ABA therapy with a new patient is make it a point to begin building a positive relationship with the child and their parents/caregivers.
The fact is, genuine connection and trust are the foundation upon which successful therapy is built. Without that, progress on important goals would always be lacking. For any pediatric therapy to work, the child has to be engaged, invested, and excited to learn. They also must trust their therapist with their physical, mental, and emotional well-being – because there are times when it can get hard. They need to know that we are always looking out for them, and only pushing their limits because we care about them and want to see them grow and thrive.
We know the only way to establish that kind of bond is to put in the time and effort – working slowly up to tougher tasks, keeping open communication with parents, and letting our genuine love for these kids and this work shine through.
There is actual research to back this up as well. In a 2021 study published in the journal JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, researchers found that when therapists have better relationships with their patients, patient outcomes are markedly better!
As FOCUS Therapy owner/founder Jennifer Voltz-Ronco says, “Almost any practical skill can be taught to a person if they work hard enough to learn it. But genuine passion for working with kids – especially those who may be struggling with numerous major challenges – that’s something a person either has or they don’t. So when I hire a pediatric therapist, I’m looking for people who truly care about these children – and come back every day, every week, every month for THEM. THOSE are the people I want on my team.”
FOCUS Therapy offers pediatric speech, occupational, and ABA therapy in Fort Myers to kids throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
Why Regular Speech Therapy Attendance is So Critical to Your Child’s Success, Therapy and Wellness Connection
More Blog Entries:
Water Safety Tips for Florida Kids With Special Needs, June 15, 2023, FOCUS Therapy Blog
