Telephone: (703)723-0004
 
Kathleen Gurgick, M.S., CCC 
Speech-Language Pathologist
 
E-Mail: kgurgick@speech4kids.com
Milestones

We value collaboration.

We work closely with families, physicians, psychologists, teachers and other speech therapists to ensure the best possible outcome for your child.

We provide speech therapy for children ages 2 to 12 in Loudoun County preschools and private schools.

Communication Tips
  • Talk naturally to your child.  Talk about what your child is doing, and what your child sees.
  • Take time to listen to your child. Respond to what is said so your child knows you have been listening.
  • Have your child’s hearing tested if you find you have to repeat a lot or have to talk loudly to get your child’s attention.
  • Seek professional help from an ASHA-certified audiologist or ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist (Speech4Kids) if you’re unsure. Never wait to get help for your child if you suspect a problem. You and your family members know more about your child than anyone.
  • Early identification and treatment of hearing, speech, and language disorders can prevent problems with behavior, learning, reading, and social interactions.

 

Talking Milestones

Instructions: Read each statement for your child’s age group and check Yes or No.

Birth

Makes pleasure sounds.

0-3 Months

Repeats the same sounds a lot (cooing, gooing).

Cries differently for different needs.

Smiles when she sees you.

4-6 Months

Babbling sounds more speech-like with many different sounds, including p, b, and m.

Tells you (by sound or gesture) when he wants you to do something.

Makes gurgling sounds when left alone and when playing with you.

7 Months - 1 Year

Babbling has both long and short groups of sounds such as “tata upup bibibibi.”

Uses speech or non-crying sounds to get and keep attention.

Imitates different speech sounds.

Has 1 or 2 words (“bye-bye,” “dada,” “mama,” “no”) although they may not be clear.

1 - 2 Years

Says more words every month.

Uses some 1-2-word questions (“Where kitty?” “Go bye-bye?” “What’s that?”).

Puts 2 words together (“more cookie,” “no juice,” “mommy book”).

Uses many different consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

2 - 3 Years

Has a word for almost everything.

Uses 2-3-word “sentences” to talk about and ask for things.

Speech is understood by familiar listeners most of the time.

Often asks for or directs attention to objects by naming them.

3 - 4 Years

Talks about activities at school or at a friends’ homes.

Usually talks easily without repeating syllables or words.

People outside family usually understand child’s speech.

Uses a lot of sentences that have 4 or more words.

4 - 5 Years

Voice sounds clear like other children’s.

Uses sentences that give lots of details (e.g. “I like to read my books”).

Tells stories that stick to topic.

Communicates easily with other children and adults.

Says most sounds correctly except a few, like l, s, r, v, z, j, ch, sh, th.

Uses adult-like grammar.

8 + Years

Child should be pronouncing all speech sounds correctly.

If you checked ALL YES: Good - Your child is developing hearing, speech, and language in the typical way.

If you checked 1-2 NO: Caution!  Your child may have delayed hearing, speech, and language development. Look at the “Communication Tips” section of this webpage by clicking [here].

If you checked 3 or more NO: Action Needed!  Contact Speech4Kids for professional help by calling (703) 723-0004 or send an email to kgurgick@speech4kids.net.

excerpt taken from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association www.asha.org