Comprehensive Therapy Services

Your baby is talking to you… even before they say their first word! 👀💬

Looking toward you, reaching, pointing, making sounds, smiling, and sharing attention are all meaningful ways babies communicate.

One of the best ways to support early language? Notice the attempt and respond to it! 🤍

👶 Reaches for a ball- “Ball! You want the ball!”
🐶 Looks at a dog- “Dog! You see a dog!”
🗣️ Makes a sound- “Copy it back and turn it into a little conversation!

These early back-and-forth interactions help build the foundation for language, social connection, and those first words to come.

Noticing fewer attempts to communicate or wondering how to encourage your child’s language development? Our SLPs are here to help! 🫶

Save this for later & share with another parent who needs to hear it!

“They’ll grow out of it!” ☀️🌼

While some speech sound errors are developmentally appropriate, others may be a sign that your child could benefit from additional support!

Every child develops at their own pace, but knowing which speech sounds are expected at each age can help you recognize when it may be time to seek guidance. 💛

If your child is becoming frustrated when communicating, is difficult for others to understand, or is struggling with sounds that are expected for their age, our speech-language pathologists are here to help!

✨ Early support can make a big difference! Contact CTS today to learn more about scheduling a speech evaluation.

🗣️ What should your child be saying?

Expressive language is how children communicate their wants, needs, thoughts, and ideas through words, phrases, gestures, signs, or AAC.

Swipe through to see some general expressive language milestones by age! ➡️

✨ Remember: milestones are a guide, not a diagnosis. If you’re concerned about your child’s communication, trust your gut and reach out to an SLP.

🧠 Understanding comes before talking.

Receptive language develops first. It’s how children understand and perceive the world around them! Children are taking in words, gestures, questions, routines, and more.

Think of receptive language as the foundation for expressive language. Before children can communicate what they know, they first need to understand it. 💬🤍

First we understand. Then we communicate.

AAC isn’t giving up on speech. It’s giving a child more ways to communicate. 💚

AAC can support children at all ages and stages of communication, whether they’re nonverbal, using a few words, or speaking but having difficulty expressing their wants, needs, thoughts, and feelings.

And one of the biggest myths? That AAC will prevent a child from talking. Research shows AAC can support communication and language development, and there’s no need to wait until other options have been exhausted.

Wondering if AAC could benefit your child? An SLP can help evaluate their communication needs, explore different AAC options, and find the right supports for them. 🗣️✨

Back to school means new routines, new expectations, and lots of new skills! 🎒✏️📚

Parents & teachers, as kiddos settle into the school year, here are a few things to keep an eye on:

✂️ Fine motor & independence: Using school supplies, opening lunch containers, managing buttons/zippers, organizing belongings, and completing self-care tasks.

🏃 Gross motor: Keeping up with peers, navigating stairs, participating in PE and playground activities, getting up and down from the floor, and having enough strength and endurance for the school day.

💬 Communication & feeding: Following directions, expressing wants and needs, participating in conversations, being understood by others, answering questions, and managing age-appropriate eating and drinking.

If you notice your child or student consistently struggling with everyday school activities, OT, PT, or speech therapy may be able to help. 💙

Here’s to a happy, successful school year for all of our kiddos, families, and teachers! 🎒✨