Above and Beyond Speech Therapy Care
Family Toolkit

Resources for Families

Helpful guides, milestones, and tips to support your child's communication journey at home and beyond.

Parent and child reading together

Speech & Language Milestones

Every child develops at their own pace, but these general milestones can help you know what to expect — and when it may be time to seek an evaluation.

Child development milestones
0–12 Months
  • Coos and babbles with varied sounds
  • Responds to their name
  • Imitates sounds and facial expressions
  • Uses gestures like waving and pointing
1–2 Years
  • Says first words around 12 months
  • Uses 50+ words by age 2
  • Begins combining two words ("more milk")
  • Follows simple one-step directions
2–3 Years
  • Uses 3–4 word sentences
  • Strangers understand about 75% of speech
  • Asks simple questions
  • Follows two-step directions
3–5 Years
  • Tells simple stories with a beginning and end
  • Speech is mostly understood by all listeners
  • Uses sentences of 4–6 words
  • Understands concepts like time and quantity

Concerned about your child's development?

If your child isn't meeting milestones or you have any concerns, don't wait — early intervention makes a real difference.

Request an Evaluation

Home Practice Tips

Small, consistent moments at home make a big difference. Here are our favorite strategies for supporting communication every day.

For Toddlers & Early Talkers

  • Follow your child's lead — talk about what they're interested in
  • Narrate your daily routines ("Now we're washing hands!")
  • Read together every day, even for just 10 minutes
  • Expand on what they say — if they say "dog", you say "big dog!"
  • Reduce screen time and increase face-to-face interaction

For School-Age Children

  • Practice target sounds during car rides or mealtimes
  • Play word games like "I Spy" or 20 Questions
  • Ask open-ended questions about their day
  • Read aloud together and discuss the story
  • Celebrate effort and progress, not just perfection

For AAC Users

  • Model AAC use yourself — show, don't just tell
  • Keep the device accessible at all times
  • Accept all forms of communication (gesture, vocalization, device)
  • Build vocabulary around your child's interests
  • Be patient — AAC takes time to learn for everyone
Parent practicing speech activities with child at home
Pro tip from our therapists:Consistency beats intensity. Five minutes of practice every day is far more effective than one long session per week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have More Questions?

Our team is happy to answer any questions you have about your child's communication development. Reach out — we're here to help.

Contact UsOur Services