Helping Your Child Meet Their Milestones
Is your child meeting their milestones? Do they understand verbal as well as non-verbal communication? Do they react when you smile, clap, make other sounds? Missed milestones are a problem, and it doesn't get better with time. It gets better with treatment. We have over 30 years of experience with children of all ages in the Plainview NY area and we would love to help you today. Our approach to speech and language therapy is to get to the root cause of the problem. We have the most comprehensive evaluation strategy in the area and we will give you the best, most accurate diagnosis to any problem. Schedule a call with us today and we can tell you more about how we help your child with communication skills. You will be impressed with how we can help.
What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do for Communication Skills?
A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), or speech therapist, helps support the development of both verbal and nonverbal communication skills in children. Communication involves more than just talking — it includes gestures, eye contact, play skills, imitation, joint attention, and understanding language. Some children may show delays in using words, forming sentences, or expressing their needs, while others may understand less language than expected or have difficulty with early social communication skills. SLPs assess a child’s developmental milestones and create individualized therapy plans to help build meaningful communication. Therapy may include play-based learning, modeling, visual supports, early language routines, and caregiver coaching to encourage communication throughout daily life. SLPs work closely with families to help children become confident and effective communicators in all environments.
Responsibilities of a Speech-Language Pathologist Supporting Communication Skills:
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Evaluate communication milestones such as babbling, gesture use, first words, combining words, and conversation development
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Support nonverbal communication, including eye contact, joint attention, pointing, gestures, and shared play
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Develop expressive language skills, helping children use words, phrases, and sentences to communicate their needs
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Strengthen receptive language skills, including understanding directions, questions, and everyday vocabulary
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Model and encourage functional communication during play, routines, and natural interactions
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Provide caregiver training to support communication at home, daycare, and in community settings
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Use visual supports, routines, and structured strategies to help children understand and use language confidently
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Create individualized treatment plans that build strong communication foundations and meaningful connections
