If you are concerned that your child may have a speech-language delay, it is important to consult with a certified speech language pathologist.

But many parents do not know where to start. If your child is bilingual, there are some important things to consider when looking for an SLP to work with your child.

When Seeking a Speech Evaluation

If your child is bilingual, it is very important to let the intake team know all the languages your child is exposed to when scheduling a speech-language evaluation. It’s also helpful to think carefully about how much exposure your child has to each language.

For example:

• A child who hears Spanish only a few hours once a month when visiting grandparents, but speaks English at home and school the rest of the time, may not need bilingual therapy.
• A child who hears Spanish at home, with extended family, and attends a bilingual daycare would benefit greatly from working with a bilingual therapist.
• A child who hears Spanish at home, and attends an all English daycare, would still greatly benefit from working with a bilingual therapist because their vocabulary is likely split 50/50 between both languages. For example, your child may know “vaso, comida, cama” (house objects) in Spanish, but “red, scissors, triangle” (academic language) in English.

Remember, your home language is an important part of your child’s identity, family relationships, and communication.

It is important to disclose all information about your child’s exposure to different languages during the intake process so you can be matched with the SLP that is best equipped to work with your child’s unique needs.