Becoming a parent changes everything. From your baby’s first smile to their first steps, every milestone is filled with joy, excitement—and sometimes questions. One of the most important areas of early development is speech and language. Helping your little one build communication skills starts earlier than you might think—and your role is more important than ever.

Here’s what every parent should know to support their child’s speech and language development in those critical early years. 👶🗣️

Why Early Speech & Language Development Matters

Speech and language are the foundation for learning, relationships, and future success. But they aren’t just about talking—they help with:
✅ Expressing needs and emotions
✅ Building relationships
✅ Learning new concepts
✅ Boosting confidence

Speech focuses on the physical ability to produce sounds and words, while language is about understanding and expressing ideas—whether through words, gestures, or pictures.

Key Speech & Language Milestones for Infants and Toddlers

Every child develops at their own pace, but here are general milestones to watch for:

0–3 Months

• Cooing, gooing, and early sounds (like /p/, /b/, /m/)
  
  

• Reacting to loud sounds
  
  

• Different cries for hunger, discomfort, or tiredness
  
  

4–6 Months

• Babbling with more variety
  
  

• Eye contact and vocal play
  
  

• Responding to voices
  
  

7–12 Months

• Reduplicated babbling (“ba-ba,” “ma-ma”)
  
  

• Imitating sounds and actions
  
  

• Recognizing familiar words like their name
  
  

• First meaningful words (“mama,” “dada,” “bye-bye”)
  
  

12–24 Months

• Using 3 to 20 words by 18 months
  
  

• Simple two-word phrases (“all gone,” “more juice”)
  
  

• Following simple directions
  
  

• Vocabulary boom around 18–24 months (up to 50 words expressed, 300+ understood)
  
  

24–36 Months

• 200+ words spoken, 500+ words understood
  
  

• Short phrases and basic sentences
  
  

• Asking questions (“Daddy go?”)
  
  

• Identifying objects and actions
  
  

Tips to Encourage Speech & Language Development

The best way to help your child? Quality interactions every single day. Here are simple strategies that work:

🗣️ Talk and Listen

• Narrate your day: “We’re washing hands.”
  
  

• Respond to your child’s sounds or words—even if unclear
  
  

• Expand on what they say: “Bubu?” “Yes, big bubble!”
  
  

📚 Read Together

• Label characters, actions, and feelings
  
  

• Use fun voices and sounds
  
  

• Keep books accessible for independent exploration
  
  

🎶 Sing, Play, and Explore

• Sing songs with hand motions
  
  

• Play with blocks, dolls, or pretend food while labeling items
  
  

• Encourage pointing, waving, clapping, and imitation
  
  

🤗 Follow Their Lead

• Engage with what interests your child
  
  

• Use their favorite toys to promote communication
  
  

• Model simple words and phrases during play
  
  

🚫 Limit Technology

• Avoid passive screen time for children under 2
  
  

• Focus on face-to-face interactions
  
  

• Use technology only for shared, interactive experiences
  
  

💡 Structure the Environment

• Have routines and familiar activities
  
  

• Place favorite toys just out of reach to encourage requesting
  
  

• Provide choices: “Do you want the ball or the car?”
  
  

What if You Have Concerns?

If your child isn’t meeting speech and language milestones or you notice delays, early intervention is key. Talk to your pediatrician, and consider a speech-language evaluation. Early support can make a huge difference in communication skills and confidence.

At Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas, we provide:
✔️ Full speech and language evaluations
✔️ Parent coaching and hands-on strategies
✔️ Play-based, personalized therapy

Most evaluations are covered by insurance.

We’re Here to Help Your Child Thrive

Worried about your child’s speech or language? Let’s work together to support their development.

📍 Visit us in Plano, Texas
📞 Call today: 972-424-0148

Together, we can help your little one find their voice—and set them up for success! 💙

July 01, 2025

 As a parent, you’ve probably had moments of relief when your picky eater finally finds a food they love. But what happens when your child insists on eating that one food—prepared the same way—at every meal?

What Is Food Jagging?

Food jagging occurs when a child wants to eat the same food, prepared the same way, over and over—sometimes at every single meal. While it may seem like a minor phase or even a relief at first (“At least they’re eating!”), food jagging can lead to long-term eating challenges.

Over time, children often grow tired of the food they’ve been jagging on. Once that happens, they may eliminate it entirely from their diet, leaving their food choices even more limited.

Food Jagging vs. Picky Eating

It’s easy to confuse food jagging with picky eating, but the two aren’t quite the same:

• Picky eaters may reject certain foods temporarily but usually cycle them back into their diet after a few weeks.

• Food jaggers, however, may drop foods permanently once they tire of them, shrinking their overall food repertoire.

According to the Sequential-Oral-Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding by Dr. Kay Toomey, children should ideally have at least 30 different foods they eat regularly across meals and snacks. This diversity is crucial for balanced nutrition and healthy development.

Who’s at Risk?

Any child can fall into a pattern of food jagging, but certain groups are at higher risk:

• Children with feeding difficulties

• Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), especially those with sensory sensitivities

Kids on the spectrum may jag on foods because they crave predictability—same taste, same texture, even the same packaging. It’s a way to reduce sensory stress during mealtime.

What Can Parents Do?

If you notice your child falling into a food jag, there are practical strategies you can implement at home:

1. Introduce Variety Early and Often

Make it a habit to offer a variety of foods across meals. As tempting as it is to fall back on familiar snacks, mix it up with different options. Even small changes can help broaden your child’s palate.

2. Engage Them in the Process

Take your child grocery shopping. Let them help prep meals. These low-pressure exposures can make unfamiliar foods feel more approachable and less intimidating.

3. Use Subtle Food Tweaks

If your child is already jagging, start by selecting the least nutritious food they’re stuck on. Then make slight, gradual changes to it:

• Shape: Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of sandwiches or pancakes.

• Color: Add food coloring or pick prepackaged foods in different shades.

• Flavor: Introduce new sauces, spices, or toppings slowly.

• Texture and Temperature: These changes come last, as they’re hardest for most kids to handle.

Pro tip: Only change one element at a time, and do so over multiple exposures. Consistency is key.

If your child rejects the change or becomes distressed, it’s a sign you’ve moved too fast.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your child is eliminating multiple foods and your efforts to reintroduce variety aren’t working, consider consulting a feeding therapist. Professional support can make a huge difference—especially for children with sensory challenges or developmental delays.

At Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas, our trained speech-language pathologists specialize in feeding therapy. We offer services at both our Frisco and East Plano (Murphy) locations. Many families find that therapy is covered by insurance, making it an accessible option for support.

📞 Call us at 972-424-0148 to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Food jagging isn’t just a phase—it’s a red flag that a child’s eating habits may be narrowing in a way that affects their long-term nutrition. The good news? With mindful strategies and the right support, your child can learn to accept new foods and enjoy a healthier, more varied diet.

June 02, 2025

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)—also known as Heller’s syndrome, disintegrative psychosis, or dementia infantilis—is an extremely rare condition affecting about 1 in 100,000 children. What sets CDD apart is its late onset of developmental delays. Children with CDD might experience sudden or severe regression in key areas like language, motor skills, and social abilities.

The most puzzling part? Researchers still don’t know why this happens.

CDD vs. Autism: What’s the Difference?

While CDD shares some similarities with autism, it has its own unique identity. Austrian educator Theodor Heller first identified CDD in 1908—35 years before autism was described. Yet, some experts view CDD as a lower-functioning form of autism.

This connection explains why the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) reclassified CDD under the broader “autism spectrum disorder” (ASD) in 2013. It’s often referred to as “regressive autism”—a type of autism where developmental progress is followed by regression.

Signs of Regression in CDD

Children with CDD typically experience normal development for their first few years, but things take a dramatic turn. Regression usually starts after the age of three, and its impact can be profound.

Some children may even recognize what’s happening, asking heart-wrenching questions like, “Why can’t I do this anymore?” For parents and caregivers, this sudden loss of skills can feel devastating.

Understanding the Diagnostic Criteria for CDD

For a child to be officially diagnosed with CDD, they must meet the following criteria:

1. Age-Appropriate Development Followed by Regression: The child must have normal development until age 2–10. Then, they lose skills in at least two of these six functional areas:

• Expressive language

• Receptive language

• Social and self-care skills

• Bowel and bladder control

• Play skills

• Motor skills

2. Severe Impairments in Core Areas: Children with CDD experience deficits in:

• Social interactions

• Communication abilities

• Repetitive behaviors or restricted interests

3. More Severe Sensory Processing Challenges: Compared to children with autism, those with CDD often have more intense sensory processing difficulties. However, they tend to face fewer cognitive challenges.

4. Speech Challenges: Speech regression is more pronounced and less responsive to therapy or stimulants than in autism

Getting Help for Your Child

Receiving a diagnosis of CDD can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Early intervention and the right support can make a difference.

If you suspect your child might have CDD or notice unusual developmental changes, don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance. For families in Plano, Texas, Speech & OT is here to provide expert care tailored to your child’s needs.

January 01, 2025