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Helping Young Children Build Strong Communication Skills in Chicago and Chicagoland
The toddler years are full of growth — first words, new sounds, and exciting milestones. But when language development seems delayed, many parents wonder: Is this typical… or should I seek help?
At North Shore Pediatric Therapy, we support families across Chicago and the Chicagoland suburbs with compassionate, evidence-based speech therapy for toddlers. We serve children of all ages, from toddlers to older children, addressing a wide range of communication needs. Early language support can make a meaningful difference in a child’s confidence, connection, and long-term development.
Our clinic is staffed by licensed and experienced speech therapists, certified to practice in Illinois, ensuring high-quality care that meets state standards.
When Should a Toddler Start Talking?
Every child develops at their own pace, but there are general speech and language milestones to watch for.
Many toddlers:
- Say their first words around 12 months
- Use 10–20 words by 18 months
- Combine two words by age 2
- Follow simple directions
- Point, gesture, and respond to their name
If your toddler isn’t meeting milestones — or if you feel concerned — it’s always appropriate to seek guidance. Early intervention is never harmful, and often incredibly beneficial.
Signs Your Toddler May Benefit from Speech Therapy
Parents often search for speech therapy for toddlers near me when they notice:
- Limited vocabulary for their age
- Difficulty combining words
- Frustration when trying to communicate
- Not responding to their name
- Trouble following simple directions
- Regression or loss of words
- Reduced eye contact or social engagement
Speech delays can occur on their own or alongside developmental differences such as autism, sensory challenges, or global delays. A speech-language evaluation provides clarity and next steps.
Why Early Language Support Matters
The brain develops rapidly in the first three years of life. Early language support during this window helps:
- Strengthen neural pathways for communication
- Reduce frustration and behavior challenges
- Support social interaction and bonding
- Foster holistic development, including social, emotional, and cognitive skills
- Support a child's growth across multiple developmental domains
- Help develop problem solving skills as part of cognitive communication
- Build foundational skills for preschool and kindergarten
- Increase confidence and independence
Families searching for early intervention speech therapy in Chicago often find that starting sooner leads to faster progress and greater long-term success.
Conditions We Treat
At North Shore Pediatric Therapy, our team of dedicated speech language pathologists brings extensive expertise in evaluating and treating a wide range of communication disorders in children. We understand that every child’s journey with speech and language is unique, which is why our pediatric speech therapy services are tailored to address each child’s specific needs and strengths.
Our speech language pathology team is skilled in supporting children with speech sound disorders, receptive and expressive language delays, and fluency disorders. We also provide specialized care for children with childhood apraxia of speech, articulation disorders, and language-based learning disabilities. For children facing more complex communication challenges, we offer augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) solutions, including systems like PECS and LAMP, to help every child find their voice.
Beyond speech and language, we recognize that feeding difficulties and swallowing disorders can impact a child’s overall development. Our feeding therapy services are designed to address these challenges, and our speech therapists work closely with our occupational therapy team to ensure a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to care. This collaboration allows us to support not only communication, but also related areas such as sensory processing and motor skills.
Family involvement is at the heart of our therapy process. We encourage parents and family members to participate in sessions, learn therapy techniques, and practice strategies at home to maximize progress. Our evidence-based practices are grounded in the latest research in communication science and speech pathology, ensuring that each child receives the most effective and compassionate care.
We are equipped to address a variety of concerns, including hearing difficulties, recurrent ear infections, and conditions such as cleft lip and palate. Our team develops personalized treatment plans that support early language development, cognitive communication, and social skills, helping children reach their full communication potential.
Serving families throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, we are committed to supporting children from birth through adolescence. Whether your child is experiencing challenges with speech, language, feeding, or communication, our comprehensive therapy services are here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our pediatric speech therapy, language therapy, and feeding therapy services, and to schedule an evaluation with one of our experienced speech language pathologists. Together, we can help your child develop the skills they need for lifelong success.
What Happens in Toddler Speech Therapy?
At North Shore Pediatric Therapy, toddler speech therapy is play-based, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. Therapy never feels like “work” — it feels like structured play with purpose.
Sessions may include:
- Interactive play with toys and books
- Modeling and expanding language
- Encouraging imitation of sounds and words
- Encouraging children to talk and express themselves confidently
- Teaching gestures and early communication strategies
- Supporting joint attention and social engagement
Parents are actively involved, learning strategies they can use at home to reinforce skills between sessions.
Supporting More Than Just Words
Speech therapy for toddlers focuses on more than vocabulary. Each session is tailored to address your child's unique communication profile, ensuring that their unique needs are met through individualized support.
It also supports:
Expressive Language
Helping toddlers communicate wants, needs, and ideas.
Receptive Language
Improving understanding of directions and language.
Social Communication
Encouraging eye contact, turn-taking, and shared attention.
Early Literacy Foundations
Building listening and sound awareness skills that support later reading development.
Speech Therapy for Toddlers in Chicago and Chicagoland
Families looking for toddler speech therapy in Chicago want care that feels supportive and individualized. At NSPT, we serve families throughout the Chicagoland area with a collaborative, multidisciplinary team approach, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other specialists working together to support your child's development. Our expertise in hearing sciences allows us to provide comprehensive communication assessment and intervention, addressing both speech and hearing needs.
If additional support is recommended, toddlers can also access:
- Occupational therapy for sensory and motor skills
- ABA therapy for behavioral and communication support
- Early autism evaluations through our Early Autism Testing Clinic
Our goal is to provide comprehensive, coordinated care — all in one place.
You Don’t Have to “Wait and See”
It’s common for parents to hear “let’s wait and see.” While monitoring can sometimes be appropriate, early evaluation offers clarity and peace of mind. Speech therapy does not label a child — it supports development.
If your toddler qualifies for services, early therapy can:
- Accelerate language growth
- Improve social connection
- Reduce communication frustration
- Increase readiness for preschool
Getting Started with Toddler Speech Therapy
If you’re concerned about your toddler’s speech or language development, taking action early can make a meaningful difference.
North Shore Pediatric Therapy provides pediatric speech therapy in Chicago and surrounding suburbs, helping toddlers build strong communication foundations that last.
Our speech therapists hold degrees from leading universities and are committed to ongoing education and professional development to ensure the highest quality of care.
📍 Serving families throughout Chicago and Chicagoland
📞 Contact North Shore Pediatric Therapy to schedule a speech evaluation for your toddler.
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