Speech and Language Therapy for Children and Teenagers

Speech and language therapy is aimed at children and adolescents who have difficulties communicating clearly and effectively with the people around them.

It is not just about “saying words correctly”; it is about helping your child to understand what others say, express thoughts and feelings, interact with friends and family, and participate fully at home and at school.

At Cognitivo, in Santo Domingo, our speech and language therapy program supports children who struggle with pronunciation, vocabulary, sentence building, understanding instructions, stuttering, social communication and early reading and writing skills, always adapting activities to their age, level and unique way of learning.

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What do we work on in speech and language therapy?

Speech and language therapy focuses on different areas of communication. Some of the main ones are:

1. Articulation and phonology (pronunciation)

Difficulty producing certain sounds (for example /r/, /s/, /l/, blends).
Omitting sounds or parts of words (“ca” instead of “casa”, “poon” instead of “spoon”).
Substituting one sound for another (“wabbit” instead of “rabbit”).

We work on sound production, mouth position, airflow and repetition in playful contexts, so your child can be understood more easily by family, teachers and peers.

2. Expressive language (what your child says)

Limited vocabulary for their age.
Short or incomplete sentences.
Difficulty telling what happened at school or explaining ideas.
Incorrect use of grammar (articles, pronouns, verb tenses, plurals).

We help children find and use the right words, build longer and more complete sentences, tell stories, ask questions and share opinions, so they can express themselves with more confidence.

3. Receptive language (what your child understands)

Struggles to follow simple or multi-step directions.
Seems “lost” when others talk, even if hearing is normal.
Trouble understanding questions, explanations, stories or classroom instructions.

Here we work on understanding different types of instructions, questions, concepts and stories, so your child can participate better at home and keep up in class.

4. Fluency (stuttering)

Repeating sounds, syllables or words (“m-m-mummy”, “I-I-I want”).
Blocks where the child “gets stuck” and nothing comes out.
Visible tension when speaking, avoidance of certain words or situations.

The goal is to reduce stuttering, lower anxiety around speaking and increase your child’s confidence when talking in different situations (home, school, social).

5. Social communication (pragmatics)

Difficulty starting or maintaining conversations.
Talking only about their own interests.
Not respecting turns, interrupting often, or speaking in ways that seem rude without meaning to.
Trouble understanding jokes, sarcasm or social rules of conversation.

We teach and practice social rules of communication: how to greet, ask for help, keep a conversation going, repair misunderstandings and adapt language to different people and places.

6. Early literacy and phonological awareness

Difficulty learning letter–sound correspondences.
Problems blending sounds into words or breaking words into sounds.
Struggles with reading accuracy, speed or comprehension.

We strengthen phonological awareness (sound skills), vocabulary and language structure, which are essential foundations for reading and writing success.

We address speech sound disorders, language delays, stuttering and comprehension difficulties, helping your child communicate clearly at home and at school.

Speech and language therapy for children and teens who struggle to pronounce sounds, build sentences or be understood, strengthening their communication and confidence.

When should I seek speech and language therapy?

It is recommended to seek an evaluation with a speech and language therapist when you notice that your child:

Is difficult to understand compared to other children their age.
Omits, distorts or replaces many sounds.
Uses fewer words than expected, or struggles to build sentences.
Mostly communicates by pointing, taking you by the hand, or using gestures, with little or no verbal language.
Has stuttering that persists or causes frustration and avoidance.
Has trouble following instructions, even simple ones.
Seems not to understand questions or often answers with something unrelated.
Has significant difficulty learning to read and write.
Has been flagged by teachers for communication, language or participation problems in the classroom.

If you have doubts, it is always better to consult early. Early intervention can make a big difference in your child’s development and school experience.

Benefits for your child

Speech and language therapy can bring important changes in many areas of your child’s life:

Clearer speech
Others understand your child more easily, reducing frustration and misunderstandings.
Richer and more precise expression
Your child gains more words and better sentence structure to ask, explain, tell stories and express emotions.
Improved understanding
It becomes easier to follow instructions, understand what teachers say and participate in classroom activities.
Better reading and writing foundations
Stronger language and sound skills support learning to read and write and reduce later academic difficulties.
More confidence and self-esteem
Feeling able to communicate and be understood boosts your child’s confidence and willingness to participate.
Better relationships with family and peers
Communication with parents, siblings, teachers and friends becomes smoother, supporting social and emotional development.

What is a speech and language therapy session like at Cognitivo?

At Cognitivo, speech and language therapy is always personalized and adapted to your child’s age, interests and needs.

Initial assessment
We start with an evaluation of speech, language, communication and, when relevant, early literacy skills. We also talk with parents and sometimes teachers to understand the child’s history and everyday challenges.
Setting clear goals
Based on the assessment, we set specific goals (for example: improving the /r/ sound, expanding vocabulary, following two-step instructions, reducing stuttering, etc.).
Play-based and functional activities
Especially with younger children, we use games, stories, pictures, songs, toys and interactive activities to work on goals in a natural and motivating way.
Practice and repetition with variety
We provide many opportunities to practice target sounds or language structures in different contexts, helping your child generalize what they learn.
Parent involvement and home practice
We regularly share simple activities and strategies so you can support your child at home (how to model words, how to encourage talking, how to respond to errors without pressure).
Teamwork with school and other professionals
When needed and with your permission, we coordinate with teachers, psychologists or other therapists to ensure your child receives consistent support in all environments.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. From what age can a child start speech and language therapy?
Therapy can start very early. If there are warning signs in communication or language development, it is better to evaluate sooner rather than later. You do not have to “wait until they are older” if you are concerned.

2. How long is each session and how often are they held?
Sessions usually last around 30–45 minutes, once or twice a week, depending on the child’s needs and the treatment plan.

3. Is speech and language therapy only for pronunciation problems?
No. It also targets language comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, fluency (stuttering), social communication and early literacy skills.

4. What if my child also has autism, ADHD or another diagnosis?
Many children with neurodevelopmental diagnoses have communication challenges. We adapt therapy to their profile and often work in coordination with psychology, occupational therapy, early intervention or other services.

5. Do parents attend the sessions?
This depends on age and goals. Sometimes parents are present or observe part of the session; sometimes we work directly with the child and then share feedback and home strategies with parents.

6. How long will it take to see progress?
Every child is different. Some changes appear within a few weeks; others take longer. The key factors are consistency in attendance, practice at home and collaboration between family and therapist.