Speech and Language Impairments – Cadabam’s Child Development Center
Does your child say fewer words than their classmates? Do you notice unclear speech, trouble following instructions, or frustration when trying to communicate? You are not alone. Speech and language impairments—often shortened to SLI—affect 1 in 12 children in India. At Cadabams CDC, we turn daily struggles into confident conversations through early assessment and evidence-based therapy designed for parents who want clear answers and real progress.
Overview: What Are Speech and Language Impairments?
Speech vs. Language: Key Differences
- Speech is the how—the sounds we make.
- Language is the what—the words we choose and how we put them together. A child may have clear pronunciation but limited vocabulary (language delay), or lots of ideas but hard-to-understand speech (speech sound disorder). Understanding this split helps us target therapy precisely.
Types of Disorders We Treat
- Articulation & Phonological Disorders – Saying “tup” for “cup.”
- Receptive Language Delay – Difficulty understanding questions or stories.
- Expressive Language Disorder – Limited sentences, grammar errors.
- Stuttering & Fluency Issues
- Social Communication Difficulties – Trouble with greetings, turn-taking.
Early Warning Signs to Watch For
By Age 2
- Uses fewer than 50 words
- Doesn’t combine two-word phrases (“more milk”)
- Parents understand less than half of what the child says
By Age 4
- Strangers understand less than 75% of speech
- Can’t retell a simple story
- Struggles to follow two-step instructions
When to Seek Help Immediately
- Sudden loss of previously mastered words
- No eye contact or pointing by 18 months
- Frequent ear infections with unclear speech If any red flag appears, book our free 15-minute phone consult—early action can cut total therapy time by up to 40%.
Causes & Risk Factors
Genetic & Neurodevelopmental Links
- Family history of speech-language disorders
- Autism spectrum or ADHD diagnoses
Hearing & Medical Influences
- Recurrent ear infections causing temporary hearing loss
- Low-birth weight or premature delivery
Environmental & Social Triggers
- Limited one-on-one interaction (excess screen time)
- Multilingual exposure without consistent model Understanding the root cause guides us to choose the right mix of play-based therapy or augmentative tools.
Our Step-by-Step Assessment Process
| Step | What Happens | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Initial Screening | Quick phone chat with parent to rule out hearing issues and set expectations | 15 min | Free |
| 2. Comprehensive Evaluation | In-clinic tests: speech sampling, language comprehension, oral-motor exam | 90 min | ₹2,500 |
| 3. Personalized Report & Goal Setting | Share color-coded report + 3-month SMART goals | 30 min | Included |
| Parents leave with a clear roadmap and weekly homework cards. |
Evidence-Based Therapy Approaches
Play-Based Speech Therapy
- Uses toys, storytelling and movement to keep sessions fun
- Targets articulation in natural settings (kitchen-corner, dollhouse)
Hanen & Parent-Coaching Models
- We coach you to become your child’s best therapist at home
- Weekly video feedback ensures correct carry-over
AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
- Picture boards, speech-generating apps like Avaz
- Introduced early to reduce frustration, then faded when speech improves All programs are goal-tracked every four weeks and adjusted based on measurable progress.
Meet Our Multidisciplinary Team
- Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) – Certified by the Indian Speech & Hearing Association (ISHA)
- Developmental Pediatricians – Rule out medical causes, manage co-occurring ADHD
- Child Psychologists – Address anxiety or behavior blocks to communication
- Special Educators – Offer school-readiness support for mainstream inclusion Together we ensure holistic child development without juggling appointments at multiple clinics.
Success Stories & Progress Metrics
Case Study: Overcoming Severe Phonological Disorder
Arjun, age 4, spoke only in vowels. After 6 months of twice-weekly play therapy plus home practice, his intelligibility jumped from 30% to 85%, and he started reading level-1 books.
Parent Testimonials
“Within three sessions we saw our daughter greet her grandparents clearly for the first time. Cadabams CDC gave us hope and a plan.” – Mrs. Ananya Menon
Outcome Benchmarks We Track
- Number of new words per month
- Percentage of consonants correct (PCC)
- Functional Communication Profile (FCP) score