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In addition to being state-licensed and nationally-certified by ASHA, all speech-language pathologists with First Words, Inc. are also state-certified Early Intervention professionals who provide needed services through the Infant & Toddler Connection of the Blue Ridge (ITCBR). Children, from birth to the age of three, who have been found eligible for these special services receive individualized treatment within the natural environment (e.g., their home, their daycare or preschool setting, a local park, the Virginia Discovery Museum). Families and/or caregivers are actively involved in the child’s therapy to learn specific strategies which support speech development and language learning. Additional information is available on the “faq” page (e.g., how to access these services).

A.

Children typically understand words first. They demonstrate language comprehension by following simple commands during daily routines and playful activities.

B.

Most children can say at least 50 words by age two.

C.

While many children exhibit sound substitutions and/or sound deletions as they learn to talk, overall speech intelligibility (i.e., what listeners understand) increases from approximately 50% at age two to 75% by age three.