Once an initial assessment is performed, the speech-language pathologist will determine the best course of action. Speech-language pathologists strive to make every therapy session feel like play, especially for their youngest clients! They will interact with a child by playing and talking, using pictures, books, objects, or ongoing events to stimulate language development. In addition to using repetition exercises to build language skills, they might also work on a variety of oral exercises to strengthen the muscles of the mouth for eating, drinking, and swallowing. Speech therapists will also give parents and children the tools they need to improve their language skills, and they'll say it’s the time spent using those tools at home and in the children’s natural environment that really creates lasting change. Practicing what is learned at the therapy appointments is just as important as the appointments themselves.