• Question: Does your child find certain sounds or words challenging to pronounce?

• Examples: Difficulty with sounds like "k', "g'', "l", "s-blends", "th" or "r"; speech that others may find hard to understand.

• Question: Does your child find it challenging to coordinate the movements needed for speech?

• Examples:

  • Difficulty pronouncing longer or more complex words, even though they may say shorter words more easily.

  • Inconsistent errors in speech; a word might be pronounced differently each time.

  • Difficulty imitating speech sounds or words, even though they understand what they want to say.

  • Speaking with noticeable effort or strain, as though they are working hard to get the words out.

  • Difficulty transitioning smoothly from one sound or syllable to another in a word.

• Question: Does your child sometimes repeat sounds or words, or experience interruptions in their speech?

• Examples: Repeating words or sounds, noticeable pauses, or getting "stuck" on certain words.

Receptive Language

• Question: Does your child sometimes find it challenging to understand spoken language?

• Examples: Difficulty following directions, understanding questions, or grasping stories.

Expressive Language

• Question: Does your child express their thoughts, needs, or feelings in ways that others find hard to understand?

• Examples: Not using words or phrases or using a smaller range of words, shorter or less complex sentences, or difficulty naming objects.

• Question: Does your child experience differences in social interactions, communication, or sensory processing?

• Examples:

• Preferring routines and enjoying predictability in daily activities.

• Engaging in repetitive behaviors or having specific, focused interests that bring them joy.

• Communicating in ways that might differ from typical expectations, such as using fewer spoken words, relying on gestures, or using echolalia (repeating phrases or words).

• Experiencing sensory sensitivities, such as being more aware of lights, sounds, textures, or smells, and needing to adjust their environment accordingly.

• Using unique forms of play, such as lining up toys in a specific order or focusing on one part of a toy (e.g., spinning the wheels on a car).

• Expressing emotions in ways that are unique to them, which may include using specific body movements or vocalizations.

• Finding comfort and self-regulation through stimming behaviors, such as hand-flapping, rocking, or humming.

• Preferring solo activities or needing more time alone to recharge after social interactions.

• Question: Does your child benefit from using different modalities to communicate?

• Examples:

  • Using picture boards, communication apps, sign language, gestures, or devices that help them express their thoughts and needs.

  • Note: It’s important to understand that AAC is not an "either/or" choice between speaking and other modalities. AAC can enhance your child's ability to communicate by providing multiple ways to express themselves. It can supplement speech, helping your child to be understood more clearly or to communicate in situations where verbal communication might be challenging. AAC can also serve as a primary means of communication for children who find spoken language difficult, allowing them to participate fully in conversations, express their needs, and share their ideas.

• Question: Does your child have a genetic condition that impacts their communication or development?

• Examples: Some children require support related to conditions like Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, or other genetic differences.

• Question: Does your child have challenges with reading, writing, or spelling?

• Examples:

  • Difficulty recognizing letters or sounds.

  • Trouble forming letters or words.

  • Challenges with understanding written instructions.

  • Struggling to sound out words while reading.

  • Difficulty remembering how to spell common words.

  • Writing letters or words in reverse (e.g., writing "b" as "d" or "was" as "saw").

• Question: Does your child find it difficult to organize their thoughts, focus on tasks, or solve problems related to communication?

• Examples: Challenges with recalling information, organizing ideas, executive functions, and formulating narratives.

• Question: Does your child’s voice sound different from what you might expect?

• Examples: A voice that may sound strained, very loud or soft, or has a nasal quality.

• Question: Does your child seem to respond differently to sounds or spoken language?

• Examples: Asking for repetition, not always responding to their name, or finding it hard to follow conversations in noisy environments.