When Should I Consult a
Speech-Language Pathologist?

Supporting Your Child’s Communication Journey

Why Speech & Language Matter

Speech and language skills are the foundation for:

Learning and academic success
Social connection and friendships
Emotional expression and regulation

Every child develops at their own pace—but early support matters. When concerns arise, a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) can help guide development and provide strategies for growth.

What Are Typical Milestones?

Developmental milestones give us a general guide for how children communicate as they grow. These include:

Responding to sounds and voices
Babbling and using gestures
Saying first words and combining words
Understanding directions and answering questions

Milestones are not exact timelines—but they help us recognize when a child may benefit from support.

When to Consider an SLP Evaluation

Birth–12 Months

Limited eye contact or interaction
Not responding to sounds or name
No babbling by 9–12 months

12–18 Months

No first words by 12–15 months
Limited use of gestures (pointing, waving)
Difficulty understanding simple words

18–24 Months

Fewer than ~10–20 words
Not combining two words (e.g., “more milk”)
Difficulty following simple directions

2–3 Years

Limited vocabulary growth
Not using 2–3 word phrases
Speech difficult for familiar listeners to understand
Frustration when trying to communicate

3–4 Years

Speech hard for others to understand
Difficulty answering questions or forming sentences
Limited social interaction or play skills

At Any Age

Loss of previously acquired skills (regression)
Difficulty understanding language
Challenges with social communication (eye contact, interaction)
Trouble telling stories or organizing thoughts

Trust Your Instincts

You know your child best. If something feels off—even if they are “close” to milestones—it’s always okay to ask questions.

Early evaluation does not mean something is wrong—it means you are:
* Advocating
* Supporting
* Creating opportunity for growth

How an SLP Can Help

At Gabriel Therapy Group, we:

Assess speech, language, and social communication
Provide individualized, play-based therapy based on evaluation results
Equip families with tools for everyday success using a parent coaching method
Collaborate with schools and educators as needed to create strategies for success

Our Philosophy

We don’t just work on “speech”—we build connections to foster growth and development in all areas of language, cognitive and social development.

When we support communication early, we support:

Confidence
Connection
Lifelong learning

Let’s Connect

If you have questions or would like a screening:
Gabriel Therapy Group - Phone: (321) 972-4122
www.gabrieltherapygroup.com

Empowering Families. Intentional Care. Growing the Good.

When Should I Consult a Speech-Language Pathologist?