Speech Language Fundamentals

Speech Language Fundamentals (SLF) is a leader in the Chicago land area in birth to 21 year-old programs and is a provider of services to the pediatric population. SLF is committed to provide the highest quality services, mentorship, training and support. Our programs include Speech-Language Pathology, Special Education and translation services.

Speech-language pathologists, sometimes called speech therapists, assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency.

Speech-language pathologists work with people who cannot produce speech sounds or cannot produce them clearly; those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering; people with voice disorders, such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice; those with problems understanding and producing language; those who wish to improve their communication skills by modifying an accent; and those with cognitive communication impairments, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving disorders. They also work with people who have swallowing difficulties.

Speech, language, and swallowing difficulties can result from a variety of causes including stroke, brain injury or deterioration, developmental delays or disorders, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, cleft palate, voice pathology, mental retardation, hearing loss, or emotional problems. Problems can be congenital, developmental, or acquired. Speech-language pathologists use special instruments and qualitative and quantitative assessment methods, including standardized tests, to analyze and diagnose the nature and extent of impairments.

---Bureau of Labor Statistics

Parents are often the first adults to notice a possible delay in their child’s speech or language development. Your child's speech may not be clear. Or, your child may use shorter sentences than other children the same age. This observation generally leads to three questions: Is my child's speech or language delayed?

Speech skills are different from language skills.  Language refers to the use of words and sentences to convey ideas. Speech is the production of sounds that make up the words and sentences.

Using developmental milestones, such as those listed below, you can compare your child's development with that of other children the same age. Read the description and ask yourself the questions listed. You can get an idea if your child's communication skills are about the same, higher than, or lower than expected.

Use caution when applying any measure of development to your child. Individual differences or special circumstances need to be accounted for. This can be done by contacting SLF for a personal consultation.

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