Some children talk late. Others chatter all day, yet only their parents can make out the words. And some seem to hear perfectly well but don’t act on what they’re told. Speech therapy at Catalyst, Kottayam, is for all of them, and the earlier we meet them, the better.
What Speech Therapy Actually Covers
Pronunciation is only one piece. The therapist also looks at how much a child understands, how they put words together, whether they can hold a back-and-forth conversation, and how well their mouth handles speech and eating.
Why bother with all that? From the outside, the difficulty seldom looks like a language one. Parents see tantrums, since the child can’t explain what’s wrong. Or they see “not listening”, when the instruction was never understood in the first place.
Signs Your Child May Need Speech Therapy
It may be worth getting your child assessed if they:
- Weren’t babbling or pointing by their first birthday.
- Have only a few words at two years of age.
- Are not combining two words by about three years of age.
- Are mostly understood by their parents but not by others.
- Ignore simple instructions like “bring your shoes”.
- Stay away from other children.
- Stammer or get stuck on words.
Late on one of these? Probably nothing. Late on several? Get it looked at.
How We Assess Your Child
We check what your child understands, what they say, how they handle social conversation, how well they attend and listen, and how their mouth moves for speech. We also check fine motor skills, sensory processing, emotional skills and cognition, as these shape how a child gets their message across.
What to Expect from Speech Therapy
Sessions are play-based and follow active learning and evidence-based practice. We start with whatever your child already likes. Mad about animals? Then animals it is.
We’ll tell you what we found in plain language and set goals together. Every so often we review them, and if a plan isn’t working, we change it, no fuss. You’ll go home with small, simple activities to do with your child, since five minutes a day at home beats an hour a week in the clinic.
Who Can Benefit from Speech Therapy?
We work with:
- Late talkers.
- Children whose speech is hard to follow.
- Children with receptive or expressive language difficulties.
- Children with autism or other developmental delays.
- Children who have difficulty with social communication.
No diagnosis is needed to seek an assessment.
Why Early Speech Therapy Matters
Plenty of parents are told to wait. Sometimes that’s fine, and some children catch up alone. But the early years are when language grows fastest, and a gap that’s left alone can turn into trouble with reading, writing and friendships once school starts.
Early help tends to mean shorter, lighter therapy. Later is still worth doing, just slower.
Where to Find Our Speech Therapy Centre
Catalyst is located at Adichira, Ammanchery Road, Thellakom P.O., Kottayam. Families travel from Kochi, Ernakulam and other districts. Teletherapy is an option if the journey is a lot.
Occupational therapy and special education services are also available at the same centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
How young can a child start speech therapy?
Children can be assessed at any age. If you’re worried about your toddler’s speech or language development, book an assessment.
Does my child need a diagnosis before starting?
No. You can seek an assessment if you have concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication.
How long will speech therapy take?
It depends on the child and their individual needs. After the assessment, you’ll receive a realistic estimate.
What role do parents play in speech therapy?
Parents are an important part of the process. We show you what to practise at home so your child can continue learning between sessions.
Book a Speech Therapy Assessment in Kottayam
Concerned about your child’s speech or language development? Call or email Catalyst to arrange an assessment and discuss the next steps.