NYS Early Intervention Program | Essex County Public Health Nursing Service

At the NYS Early Intervention Program and the Essex County Public Health Nursing Service, we understand that it can be difficult to tell if your child needs speech therapy. Though it is almost always recommended for autistic children, any child who has difficulty with social communication may need speech therapy. This could include difficulty responding to questions, starting or ending conversations, changing topics, using gestures, or understanding other people’s body language. Speech therapy is important during early intervention, as there is a critical period of language development that should be addressed as soon as possible. Through speech therapy, your child will learn effective ways to communicate, which will help them become more independent and confident. If your child is very quiet, says only a few words, or does not speak at all, it may be an indication that they need speech therapy. Our guide to speech therapy will provide you with everything you need to know to make an informed decision.