Speech Therapy Tips

Pamela Cerrato, CCSLP Speech Pathologist

Stuttering in Young Children: When It’s Developmental and When to Seek a Speech Evaluation

Stuttering in young children is a disruption in the smooth flow of speech — most often appearing as repetitions of sounds, syllables, or short words (“b-b-ball,” “I-I-I want”), prolongations (“sssssnake”), or audible blocks where the child seems “stuck” mid-word. It is common, it is not the parent’s fault, and most preschool-age children who briefly stutter […]

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Pamela Cerrato, CCSLP Speech Pathologist

Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Signs Most Parents Miss and How Therapy Helps

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder in which the brain has difficulty planning and coordinating the precise movements of the lips, tongue, jaw, and palate that produce intelligible speech, even when the muscles themselves are not weak. It is not a delay that children grow out of, and it does not

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Pamela Cerrato, CCSLP Speech Pathologist

How to Prevent Summer Speech Regression: A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Gains When School Is Out

Summer speech regression is the measurable loss of speech, language, and communication skills that some children experience when the structure of the school year, school-based therapy, and daily language-rich routines suddenly disappears in June. For children with articulation disorders, language delays, fluency concerns, or Autism Spectrum Disorder, a 10-to-12-week summer break without continued practice can

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Pamela Cerrato, CCSLP Speech Pathologist

Speech Delay: What It Is and How to Help Your Child

What Is Speech Delay Speech delay occurs when a child is not developing speech and language skills at the expected pace for their age. This may include a limited vocabulary, difficulty forming words, or challenges expressing thoughts clearly. While every child develops at their own rate, speech delay refers to a noticeable gap between a

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Pamela Cerrato, CCSLP Speech Pathologist

Speech Therapy in Vero Beach, FL: How to Find the Right Support for Your Child

Understanding Speech Therapy in Vero Beach, FL Speech therapy in Vero Beach, FL focuses on helping children develop strong communication skills, including speaking, understanding language, and interacting with others. For many families in Vero Beach and throughout Indian River County, speech therapy provides the support children need to communicate more clearly and confidently. Whether a

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Pamela Cerrato, CCSLP Speech Pathologist

Child Not Talking: What It Means and When to Be Concerned

When a Child Is Not Talking It can be concerning for parents when a child is not talking as expected. While every child develops at their own pace, communication milestones provide general guidance for when speech typically begins to emerge. Some children begin using words earlier, while others take more time. However, when a child

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Pamela Cerrato, CCSLP Speech Pathologist

Speech Therapy: What It Is and How It Helps Children

What Is Speech Therapy Speech therapy is a specialized service that helps children improve their communication skills. It focuses on how children understand language, express themselves, and use speech sounds clearly. Speech therapy can address a wide range of communication challenges, including delayed speech, difficulty forming words, trouble understanding language, and challenges with social communication.

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Pamela Cerrato, CCSLP Speech Pathologist

Why Asking Open-Ended Questions Helps Children Communicate

Questions Shape How Children Learn to Speak The way adults talk to children plays a major role in how communication skills develop. While simple questions have their place, open-ended questions encourage children to think, respond, and use language more actively. Instead of giving one-word answers, children are invited to express ideas, describe experiences, and build

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Pamela Cerrato, CCSLP Speech Pathologist

What Parents Can Do If Their Child Becomes Frustrated While Communicating

Communication Challenges Can Lead to Frustration Young children often know what they want to say long before they have the words to express it clearly. When they struggle to communicate their needs, thoughts, or feelings, frustration can quickly build. This frustration may appear as crying, yelling, withdrawing, or acting out. In many cases, these behaviors

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Pamela Cerrato, CCSLP Speech Pathologist

Why Talking With Your Child Matters More Than You Think

Language Development Begins With Interaction Children learn language through interaction, not simply by hearing words around them. The conversations they have with parents, caregivers, and family members play a central role in how communication skills develop. When adults talk directly with children, they create opportunities for listening, understanding, and responding. These interactions help build the

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