This page has been developed as a result of client feedback. It features real questions that I have been asked by phone or e-mail. I think this page is a fantastic idea and would love to expand it, so please let me know any topics or questions you would like to see featured here.

My 2 1/2 year old daughter is not saying "k". Should I be concerned?

No! Children learn speech sounds gradually. Some speech sounds are harder to say than others and take longer for children to learn. Contact me for a free information sheet detailing which speech sounds are typically acquired at each age.

My 2 year old son doesn't talk as much as his friends. Does he need a language assessment?

Children develop different skills at different ages. The 2 year old with limited speech is often an expert climber, precision goal scorer, or master artist. Most children do catch up when they are ready. If you are very concerned, or if there is a family history of speech or language difficulties or a relevant medical diagnosis, an appointment with a Speech and Language Therapist would be worthwhile - if only to clarify how you can best aid language development at home.

My 3 year old has suddenly developed a stammer. What have I done wrong, and how soon can you see him?

You have done absolutely  nothing wrong!! Parents do not  cause stammering (also called stuttering). Many children between the ages of 2 and 4 pass through a phase of speech development called "developmental dysfluency", which resolves itself spontaneously. It is worth seeing a Speech and Language Therapist who can help you monitor your child's speech and give you strategies to cope with periods of dysfluency at home. See www.stammering.org for comprehensive advice, free information packs, and links to other relevant sites.