Pediatric Speech Therapy
At Great Strides, we provide compassionate and individualized pediatric speech therapy in Land O Lakes, FL to support children in developing essential communication skills. Our licensed speech-language pathologists work with infants, toddlers, and school-aged children who may experience delays in speech, language, social communication, or swallowing.
Through fun, play-based therapy and family involvement, we help children improve speech clarity, language comprehension, expressive communication, and social interaction. By creating customized therapy plans tailored to each child’s unique needs, pediatric speech therapy at Great Strides empowers children to communicate with confidence at home, school, and in their community.
Learn more about how we can help your child communicate, eat, and express themselves more effectively!
What Does Pediatric Occupational Therapy Help With?
Speech disorders can take many forms, most commonly involving challenges with articulation or fluency. Articulation disorders affect a child’s ability to produce certain sounds clearly, while fluency disorders impact the flow of speech, such as stuttering. Some children may also experience voice disorders, which can involve changes in pitch, volume, or vocal quality. While speech disorders are relatively common, the type and severity can vary greatly from child to child.
Pediatric speech therapy in Land O Lakes, FL provides individualized support to address each child’s unique communication needs. Our team is happy to discuss your child’s goals, answer questions, and develop a personalized therapy plan designed to help them build confidence and effective communication skills.
We can help with a variety of diagnoses that includes but is not limited to:
- Speech sound disorders (articulation or phonological delays)
- Apraxia of speech (childhood apraxia of speech)
- Stuttering (fluency disorders)
- Language delays (receptive and expressive language difficulties)
- Autism spectrum disorder (communication and social skills support)
- Developmental delays affecting speech or language
- Hearing impairment or auditory processing disorders
- Voice disorders (pitch, volume, or vocal quality issues)
- Feeding and swallowing difficulties (oral-motor delays, dysphagia)
- Down syndrome and other genetic conditions affecting communication
- Cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders affecting speech
- Traumatic brain injury or stroke impacting communication
- Selective mutism or social communication disorders
- Literacy-related language challenges (pre-reading and reading comprehension)
How Do I Know If My Child Needs Speech Therapy?
Parents often wonder how to tell if their child may benefit from speech therapy. While every child develops at their own pace, certain signs may indicate the need for additional support from a speech-language pathologist. Common indicators include:
- Difficulty producing certain sounds – If your child struggles to say specific sounds, such as “s,” “r,” or “l,” speech therapy may help improve clarity and pronunciation.
- Delayed speech or language development – If your child began talking later than expected or is noticeably behind peers in vocabulary or sentence use, speech therapy can support language growth.
- Using vague or nonspecific words – Frequently using terms like “that” or “thing” instead of naming objects may suggest challenges with expressive language.
- Trouble understanding or following directions – Difficulty processing and carrying out simple instructions can be a sign of receptive language challenges.
- Frustration or withdrawal during communication – Children who struggle to express themselves may become easily frustrated or avoid social interactions; speech therapy can help build communication skills and confidence.
If you recognize any of these signs, a speech-language evaluation can provide clarity and guidance. Early support can make a meaningful difference in helping your child communicate successfully at home, in school, and with peers.
What to Expect From Pediatric Speech Therapy
Children participating in speech therapy take part in engaging, age-appropriate activities designed to strengthen communication skills. These may include practicing sounds and words, following directions, building vocabulary, and participating in simple conversations. Therapy also focuses on helping children understand and use nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions, gestures, and body language. Throughout each session, the speech-language pathologist provides positive feedback and encouragement to support steady progress and confidence.
Parents often ask what to expect during the first few pediatric speech therapy in Land O Lakes, FL sessions. The initial visit begins with a discussion about your child’s developmental history, medical background, and current communication concerns. The therapist will observe your child during speech, play, or feeding activities to better understand strengths, challenges, and functional needs.
After the evaluation, the therapist will collaborate with you to establish individualized goals and create a personalized treatment plan. Therapy may include structured exercises, play-based activities, games, and specialized tools, along with guidance to help families support progress at home. These early sessions are essential for setting a strong foundation and ensuring therapy is tailored to your child’s unique needs. By the end of the evaluation process, you’ll have a clear understanding of what therapy will involve and how it can help your child reach their fullest potential. Our team is always available to answer questions—find your nearest Great Strides location to get started with the services your child needs.
