Pediatric Speech Therapy

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Expressive language is a child's ability to effectively communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, and needs. Milestones in expressive language development include cooing and babbling in infancy, progressing to first words and phrases in toddlerhood. In preschool, sentences become more complex, enabling storytelling and questions. In school-age years, vocabulary expands, and children master complex sentence construction and meaningful conversations. 

Receptive language is the ability to understand spoken language, which is essential for effective communication. Milestones start in infancy with recognizing voices and sounds. In toddlerhood, they progress to following instructions, responding to questions, and identifying familiar objects. In preschool, children understand complex instructions, narratives, and "Wh-" questions. These milestones continue into school age, where they master abstract and complex language, including idioms and humor. 

Articulation involves the precise coordination of speech organs, like the tongue, lips, jaw, and vocal cords, to produce clear speech. Articulation disorders can manifest as difficulties in correctly and consistently producing specific speech sounds. This may lead to challenges in social interactions, academic performance, and overall communication. 

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) allows individuals with speech and language difficulties to communicate effectively. 

AAC encompasses a wide range of tools, techniques, and strategies that assist individuals in communicating their needs, thoughts, and feelings. Low-tech options may include communication boards or picture exchange systems. High-tech options may include specialized devices or software applications.