September - A Fresh Start

Here we are again, September, “back-to-school” time.  The time when we all shake the sand out of our shoes, perhaps pull out our sweaters, and slowly surrender the freedoms of summer.  In September we all come together again after our summer vacations, noticing how the kids have grown and changed in two and a half short months. Lily’s hair is longer, Tommy is so tall, and little Max is talking up a storm. 

But what if little Max isn’t talking up a storm, when all of the other kids in his playgroup are? Should you be worried? Give it some time? Ask all of the moms you know when their kids started to talk? 

Many parents are concerned when their child isn’t speaking as early as a sibling, or with as much complexity as a playmate, or if others seem to have difficulty understanding what the child has said.  It’s important to remember that all children develop differently, but if a parent is concerned, or on the advice of the child’s pediatrician, a speech/language evaluation can provide answers as to the the existence and nature of a speech/language delay.  Some warning signs include:

-Inability to follow simple directions

-Lack of initiation/participation in conversations

-Use of incorrect words or lack of words for people, places and things

-Difficulty being understood without a parent “translating” what the child said

-Frequent ear infections

-Always watches others for cues as to what he/she should be doing

-Frustration due to inability to effectively communicate wants/needs

-Parent has a “gut feeling” that something is just not right

Chatterbox Early Childhood Speech and Language Services, LLC, is a private, specialty speech and language service provider with expertise in the areas of early language acquisition and speech sound production.  Serving children between the ages of one and five years in their own homes, Chatterbox can provide a full speech/language evaluation to determine whether a delay exists, and if so, to pinpoint the child’s specific areas of need.  

I’ve always thought of September as a time to start fresh, with new clothes, new routines, and new chances to accomplish new things. If you have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, please visit www.chatterboxct.com, and call me to  talk about how I can help.

Happy September!

Jennifer Simpson, Owner

Chatterbox Early Childhood Speech and Language Services, LLC