Working with children

When working with children as an SLT, we must understand typical development and processes. On this page we will talk about communication milestones, typical speech processes and atypical process. Just a reminder - we are students so talk to your lecturers for more information - you should cover these topics in your lectures!

The information below has been referenced and was obtained from Gard (1993). 

Early speech Milestones 

  • Birth to 3 months - cooing, produces single syllables
  • 3 to 6 months - babbles which include pitch and intonation change with VCV (vowel, consonant, vowel) will express likes/dislikes.
  • 6-9 months - Uses /m/ /n/ /t/ /d/ /p/ /b/ /y/ during babbling.
  • 9-12 months - vocalises during play, may acquire first word (may develop up to 18 months
  • 0.
  • 1-1;6 - Some echolalia, words produced with VC structure begin to emerge, imitating some words. 
  • 1;6-2 - Ask questions by raising intonation at end of phrase, 65% intelligible, CVC words.
  • 2;6-3 - some substitutions and distortion of consonants but 80% intelligible. Accurate production of /p/ /m/ /n/ /w/ /h/.
  • 3-3;6 - Produces final consonants in words.
  • 3;6-4 - Accurate production of /b/ /d/ /k/ /g/ /f/ /j/.

 

Reference:

Gard, A. Gillman, L., & Gorman, J. (1993). Speech and Language Development Chart (2nd).

Austin: Pro-Ed

 

 

EARLY semantic DEVELOPMENT 

  • 0-3 months - startled response to loud sound, moves eyes towards sounds, attends to voice, briefly holds and inspects 2 objects. 
  • 3-6 months - anticipates feeding when sees bottle, laughs when playing, smiles when sees faces. 
  • 6-9 months - comprehends 'no', searches for partially hidden object. 
  • 9-12 months - will give object on demand, understands simple commands, attends to own name, aware of more than one object at once. 
  • 1-1;6 - follows simple commands, points to objects, beginning to point to objects that they want, begins to recognise emotions. 
  • 1;6-2 - comprehends approx 300 words, listens to simple stories, points to 5 body parts, begins to respond to yes/no questions non-verbally, acquired object permanence and can discriminate food.
  • 2-2;6 - comprehends approx 500 words, listens to 20 minute story, knows some prepositions, knows big/little, can match colours.

Reference:

Gard, A. Gillman, L., & Gorman, J. (1993). Speech and Language Development Chart (2nd).

Austin: Pro-Ed

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