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Speech Therapy

Speech & Communication

At ALR, we understand the importance of addressing concerns for speech and communication in children. Our dedicated team provides specialized care and support to help children develop their language skills and express themselves effectively.

Speech Delay (Late Talking)

Speech delay is when a child is not speaking at the expected age milestones. For example, by age 2, children should be using at least 50 words and starting to combine them into short phrases like “want juice.” A child with speech delay may use very few words or none at all.

Causes may include hearing issues, developmental delays, or limited exposure to language at home. This delay can impact a child’s ability to express needs, play with peers, or learn in school. Fortunately, early speech therapy can make a significant difference — often helping children catch up quickly with focused support.

Articulation Issues (Unclear Speech)

Articulation issues affect the way a child produces speech sounds. This may result in speech that’s difficult to understand due to sound substitutions (e.g., “wabbit” for “rabbit”), omissions (“ca” instead of “cat”), or distorted sounds.

While sound errors can be normal at certain ages, persistent issues beyond expected milestones may need intervention. These difficulties can impact classroom participation, peer relationships, and a child’s self-esteem. A speech therapist can assess which sounds need work and guide the child through fun, engaging articulation exercises to improve clarity.

Stuttering or Disfluency

Stuttering is a fluency disorder where speech is interrupted by:

  • Repeating sounds or words (“c-c-cat”)

  • Stretching sounds (“ssssnake”)

  • Pausing unexpectedly (blocks)

Mild stuttering is quite common between ages 2–5, especially during rapid language development. But if it becomes more frequent or causes the child to avoid speaking, it’s time for support. Therapy helps children manage stuttering, reduce pressure, and build fluency and confidence.

Speech Therapy

Speech & Communication

At ALR, we understand the importance of addressing concerns for speech and communication in children. Our dedicated team provides specialized care and support to help children develop their language skills and express themselves effectively.

Language Delay (Understanding or Using Language)

Language delay can affect how a child understands (receptive language) or uses (expressive language) words and sentences. Children with a language delay might struggle to:

  • Follow instructions

  • Express thoughts clearly

  • Answer basic questions

  • Retell stories or explain ideas

This type of delay can lead to frustration, academic difficulty, and social challenges. Language therapy helps children strengthen vocabulary, sentence structure, comprehension, and overall communication

Social Communication Challenges

Social communication — also called pragmatic language — refers to how children use language in social settings. A child may have a good vocabulary but still struggle with:

  • Taking turns in conversation

  • Making eye contact

  • Staying on topic

  • Reading facial expressions or tone of voice

These difficulties can lead to social misunderstandings or friendship struggles. They’re commonly seen in children with autism or ADHD, but also occur independently. Social communication therapy teaches children how to connect with others through role-play, visuals, and real-life practice.

Selective Mutism or Limited Verbal Expression

Selective mutism is an anxiety-based communication disorder where a child speaks comfortably in familiar settings (like home), but consistently avoids speaking in others (like school or public places). These children may appear shy but are actually experiencing internal distress that prevents speech.

It often starts between ages 3–6 and can persist without intervention. With the right combination of speech therapy, behavior strategies, and anxiety support, children with selective mutism can build confidence and begin speaking across all settings.

Speech Therapy

When Should You Be Concerned?

If your child is:

  • Not meeting age-appropriate communication milestones

  • Difficult to understand

  • Struggling to follow directions or interact socially

  • Showing signs of frustration, withdrawal, or avoidance

…it’s a good idea to consult with a speech-language pathologist. The earlier the support begins, the greater the progress.

How ALR Child Development Center Can Help

At ALR, we specialize in:

  • Early intervention for toddlers and preschoolers

  • Individual speech and language therapy

  • Social communication groups

  • Parent coaching and home strategies

  • Multidisciplinary support (speech, occupational, behavior)

Our team is here to help your child find their voice — and use it with confidence.

📞 Ready to Take the First Step?

If you're concerned about your child’s speech or communication, don’t wait. Contact ALR Child Development Center [+91- 90594 60808 ] to schedule a consultation and get your questions answered.

👉 Early support leads to stronger communication, better learning, and happier children.

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