Communication Disorders in Children and Adults

Your child is 2 and not talking yet? 3 years old and only says a few words? Or maybe they do talk, but it’s hard to understand them, they lose track in sentences, or avoid conversation? Delayed speech development is one of the most common reasons parents visit a speech therapist. The earlier we start, the better the results.

What should you come in for?

• Late talker / delayed speech — your child speaks less than peers, has a limited vocabulary, doesn’t combine words into sentences. Sometimes they catch up on their own, sometimes they need help. It’s worth checking.
• Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) — previously called SLI. The child has trouble building sentences, understanding complex instructions, or telling stories. This is not “laziness” and they won’t “grow out of it.”
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) — the child knows what they want to say, but the brain has trouble planning the movements needed for speech. Words come out differently each time.
• Stuttering — repeating syllables, prolonging sounds, blocks. In young children (2-4), it may be developmental and resolve on its own. In older children and adults, it requires therapy.
• Selective mutism — the child speaks normally at home but goes silent in kindergarten, school, or around strangers. This is an anxiety disorder, not stubbornness. It needs a gentle, systematic approach.
• Speech disorders after injury/illness (aphasia, dysarthria) — in adults after stroke, accident, or neurological disease. Speech rehabilitation helps regain communication.

When should you come in?

• At 12 months, your child doesn’t babble or imitate sounds
• At 18 months, they don’t say any words
• At 2 years, they say fewer than 50 words
• At 3 years, they don’t build simple sentences (e.g. “mommy give”, “want drink”)
• At any age: suddenly stops talking, regresses in speech, doesn’t understand simple instructions

Don’t wait for it to “fix itself.” A consultation doesn’t commit you to therapy, but it gives you a clear answer: is speech development on track, or should we act?

How I work

At the first meeting, I talk to parents and observe the child. I assess speech comprehension, communication style, vocabulary, and sentence-building ability. If needed, I refer for additional tests (hearing, neurology, psychology).

The therapy plan depends on the problem. Sessions are usually once a week, and parents get specific guidance for practice at home. Because it’s everyday situations (meals, play, walks) that give the most opportunities to practice speech.

Book an appointment

📞 577 600 985
📧 neurologopeda.grzegrzolka@gmail.com