Speech therapy helps children develop communication skills — from their first words to clear, confident speech. If your child is a late talker, has unclear speech, or struggles to communicate, speech therapy can make a profound difference. Here is everything you need to know.
What Is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy (formally called Speech-Language Pathology) is a clinical service that evaluates and treats communication disorders including:
- Speech sound disorders — mispronouncing sounds or words
- Language delays — limited vocabulary, difficulty forming sentences
- Fluency disorders — stuttering, cluttering
- Voice disorders — abnormal pitch, volume, or quality of voice
- Feeding and swallowing difficulties in young children
- Augmentative communication — for non-verbal children (autism, cerebral palsy)
Who Needs Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy is appropriate for children who:
- Are not saying single words by 18 months
- Are not combining two words by 2 years
- Are difficult to understand by age 3
- Stutter or repeat sounds frequently
- Have been diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or ADHD
- Have had hearing loss that affected speech development
- Struggle with reading, writing, or classroom learning related to language
What Happens in a Speech Therapy Session?
Sessions at MMM Hearing Centre are designed to be engaging and fun — especially for young children. Here is what to expect:
Assessment (First Visit)
Dr. Shehroz Majid conducts a thorough evaluation of your child's speech and language abilities, including observation, standardised assessments, and parent interview. This takes 45–60 minutes and results in a clear profile of your child's strengths and areas for development.
Therapy Sessions
Sessions are typically 30–45 minutes, once or twice per week. Activities are play-based and age-appropriate. Depending on the goal, a session might involve:
- Articulation exercises — practising specific sounds in words and sentences
- Story-telling and picture description to build vocabulary
- Rhyming games and phonological awareness activities
- Fluency techniques for children who stutter
- AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) for non-verbal children
- Parent coaching — teaching caregivers how to support speech development at home
🔔 Parent Involvement Is Key
Research consistently shows that children who receive home practice — guided by parents who have been trained by the therapist — make progress up to twice as fast. Dr. Majid involves parents in every session and provides home activity sheets.
How Long Does Speech Therapy Take?
Duration depends on the severity and type of disorder. General timelines:
- Mild articulation delays: 3–6 months of weekly sessions
- Language delays: 6–12 months
- Stuttering: 6–18 months depending on severity and age
- Autism / non-verbal: Ongoing therapy, with significant progress over 1–2 years
Every child is different. Dr. Majid will give you a realistic timeline estimate after the initial assessment.
Early Intervention — Why It Matters
The brain is most plastic (adaptable) in the first 5 years of life. Speech therapy started in this window has far better outcomes than therapy started at school age. If you have any concerns about your child's communication — even at 12 months — do not wait for the next paediatrician check. An early assessment costs nothing but could save years of development.
⚠ "He'll grow out of it" — A Harmful Myth
Many parents are told their child will "catch up on their own." While some children do, many do not — and waiting wastes the critical intervention window. If your child is behind milestones, a professional assessment is always the right step.
Book a Speech Therapy Assessment in Bijnor
Dr. Shehroz Majid specialises in paediatric speech therapy. Call to schedule your child's assessment today.