MEDICAID NOTICE: Lurie Children’s continues to serve all patients enrolled in Medicaid. As a safety-net hospital, we will continue providing high-quality care to every child who needs us.

AVISO SOBRE MEDICAID: Lurie Children’s continúa atendiendo a todos los pacientes inscritos en Medicaid. Como hospital perteneciente a la red de protección social, continuaremos brindando atención de alta calidad a cada niño que nos necesite.

Speech-Language Pathology Resources

The following speech-language skills are typically found at the ages indicated. 

Communications Milestones

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association offers guidance on hearing, speech and language development in children. View age-based milestones below: 

Feeding & Swallowing Milestones

The  American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides guidance on feeding and swallowing development in children. View age-based guidance below: 

Concerns

Your child may benefit from a speech-language or feeding-swallowing evaluation if you have concerns in any of the following areas:

Language

  • Child has not met typically expected milestones for speech and language development
  • Child stopped producing words that they were previously saying
  • Any regression in speech, language or social skills at any age
  • Reduced or no eye contact during play or communication
  • Does not respond to voice or sounds
  • Hoarse voice quality or frequent loss of voice
  • Child sounds as though they are speaking through the nose
  • Child's speech sounds like they always have a cold

Feeding & Swallowing

  • Poor weight gain, weight loss or failure to thrive
  • Choking, gagging or coughing during or after meals
  • Ongoing problems with vomiting during or after meals
  • Increased respiratory sounds or congestion during or after feedings
  • Food or liquids come through the nose when the child is eating or drinking
  • History of traumatic choking incident
  • History of poor eating and breathing coordination
  • Ongoing or recurrent respiratory issues
  • Delayed transition through food textures or from bottle to cup drinking
  • Aversion or avoidance of all foods in a specific texture or food group
  • Irritability, crying or arching during or after meals
  • Mealtimes are very difficult or take a long time to complete
  • Inappropriate or excessive drooling