Does My Child Need Speech Therapy?
At some point or another, every parent wonders if their child is hitting developmental milestones. Eating, motor skills, growth… and speech. Maybe your child is saying only a few words while their peers are talking in full sentences. Maybe they’re hard to understand, struggle to follow directions, or use phrases in unusual ways. Family members say, “Don’t worry, they’ll catch up.” But you’re not so sure.
At Resonate Therapy in Colorado Springs, we understand that navigating therapy options can feel overwhelming. You want to do what’s best for your child without overscheduling or adding unnecessary stress. That’s why our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) take the time to listen, evaluate, and guide families toward a plan that truly fits their child’s needs.
This article will help you understand what speech therapy does, how it benefits your child, and when it might be time to schedule an assessment.
What Does Speech Therapy Do?
Speech therapy helps children improve their ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and nonverbally. It’s not just about correcting sounds—it’s about helping your child express themselves, connect socially, and feel confident in daily interactions. Understanding the basics of speech therapy can help you answer, “Does my child need speech therapy?”
The speech-language pathologists (SLPs) at Resonate Therapy work with children across a wide range of needs, from toddlers who are just learning to talk to older children who struggle with articulation, fluency, or comprehension. Therapy is tailored to your child’s unique abilities and may include activities like storytelling, games, and conversation practice—all designed to make learning fun and natural.
Our therapists support children who may be:
Late talkers
Having trouble pronouncing certain sounds
Struggling to form sentences
Experiencing social communication challenges
Using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices
Diagnosed with developmental or speech-related disorders
The Benefits of Speech Therapy
Speech therapy provides benefits that go far beyond clearer pronunciation. It supports your child’s speech, emotional growth, and cognitive development in lasting ways. Let’s take a look.
Speech and Language Skills
Speech therapy helps children pronounce sounds correctly, understand grammar, and use words to express ideas. Over time, they learn how to tell stories, describe experiences, and engage in back-and-forth conversations—all skills that set them up for success in school and relationships.
Emotional Confidence
When children struggle to communicate, they often feel frustrated or withdrawn. Speech therapy helps reduce that frustration by giving them tools to express themselves more clearly. As their communication improves, so does their confidence and sense of belonging. Parents frequently tell us that their child becomes more social, happier, and proud of their accomplishments once therapy begins.
Cognitive Development
Speech and language skills are closely linked with memory, attention, and problem-solving. By helping children understand and organize language, therapy strengthens the brain’s ability to learn, plan, and process new information. These benefits extend into reading comprehension, academic performance, and overall executive function.
Common Speech and Language Issues Addressed in Therapy
Articulation Disorders
Some children have difficulty forming specific sounds correctly—like saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit.” Speech therapy focuses on sound placement, mouth movement, and repetition to help your child master clearer pronunciation.
Language Delays
Children who speak later or use fewer words than expected for their age may have a language delay. We help expand vocabulary, build sentence structure, and improve comprehension through play, stories, and conversation.
Fluency Disorders (Stuttering)
If your child pauses, repeats words, or struggles to get words out smoothly, therapy can help. Our SLPs use gentle strategies to support fluent, confident communication without pressure.
Voice and Resonance Disorders
Some children speak in a voice that’s too loud, too quiet, or nasal in tone. Speech therapy helps them learn how to use their voice safely and effectively while maintaining comfort and natural expression.
Social Communication Challenges
Children who have difficulty reading social cues, making eye contact, or maintaining conversations can benefit from therapy that focuses on pragmatics—understanding when and how to say things appropriately in social settings.
Feeding and Oral-Motor Concerns
Speech therapists also address challenges related to chewing, swallowing, and mouth coordination, which can affect both eating and speech clarity.
Choosing the Right Clinic or Center for Your Child
Every child is unique, and every therapy center offers slightly different philosophies and tools. When asking, “Does my child need speech therapy?” you need to consider your clinic or home-care options.
Child-Centered, Collaborative Approach
At Resonate Therapy, we believe therapy should fit your child—not the other way around. Our sessions are interactive and engaging, with plans built around your child’s interests, strengths, and communication style.
Expertise in Gestalt Processing and Neurodiversity
If your child is a gestalt language processor, you need a therapist trained to support that developmental style. Our SLPs understand how to recognize echolalia (repeated phrases) as a step toward independent speech—not as something to suppress—and we guide children through the natural stages of language development.
Support for AAC Users
For children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices (AACs), our therapists offer specialized support to help integrate communication tools into daily life. We train both the child and caregivers, ensuring the device becomes a natural extension of their communication.
Client-Informed Therapy Plans
We value your input as a parent. You know your child best, and our goal is to work alongside you. We regularly update therapy goals based on progress and feedback to ensure every session continues to serve your child’s needs.
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)
Every provider at Resonate Therapy is a credentialed SLP with advanced training in pediatric communication. You can trust that your child’s care is handled by professionals who are both compassionate and clinically skilled.
Integration with Other Therapies
If your child already receives occupational, physical, or behavioral therapy, we collaborate with those providers to create a cohesive care plan. We also offer music therapy, which can be paired with speech therapy to stimulate rhythm, expression, and brain pathways for learning.
Does My Child Need Speech Therapy? Schedule an Assessment
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not sure if my child needs speech therapy,” that’s often the first sign it’s worth checking. Early intervention can make a tremendous difference, especially for children under six—but it’s never too late to start.
During an assessment at Resonate Therapy , our SLPs will evaluate your child’s speech, language, and communication skills in a friendly, play-based environment. We’ll share clear insights about what’s typical for their age, where support may be needed, and what next steps make sense for your family.
Whether your child is just starting to talk, learning to use an AAC device, or trying to overcome a speech impediment, our team is here to help them thrive—one word, one smile, and one breakthrough at a time.
Schedule your child’s speech therapy assessment today at our Colorado Springs speech therapy clinic. Discover the difference a supportive, individualized approach can make.
