Communication begins at birth

With their first cry, your child has shared their voice with you. One bite-size sound at a time, parents observe in wonder during their child’s first year of development, and all that follow. When will my child speak? What is the meaning to those sounds, faces, and gestures?

It is important to remember that every child develops individually. Research has shown that there are significant milestones throughout a child’s growth from infant to early school age, each achieved at the child’s independent rate.

A variety of factors contribute to a child’s speech and language development. Age, environment, hearing abilities, family, genetics and so much more.

Anne M. Ferraro, MS CCC SLP, a senior speech–language pathologist with Lifespan Rehabilitation Services and the speech-language pathology program notes, “Your child’s growth in social communication is important because it helps your child connect with you, while learning language and play concepts. It also sets the stage for gaining knowledge and future success in school.”