Client Profile
Name: A.R. (Name changed for confidentiality)
Age: 4 years 2 months
Gender: Male
Referred by: Pediatrician
Diagnosis: Speech and Language Delay
Background Information
A.R. was brought to the centre by his parents with concerns that he was “not speaking like other children his age.” The parents reported that he used only a few words and often relied on gestures or pointing to communicate his needs. His birth and medical history were unremarkable, and he had achieved other developmental milestones (motor, social) on time.
Assessment Findings
Speech-Language Evaluation:
Receptive Language: Mild delay – followed one-step commands but struggled with two-step directions.
Expressive Language: Moderate delay – vocabulary limited to 15–20 words, mostly nouns. No sentence formation.
Articulation: Age-appropriate for existing sounds.
Social Communication: Maintained good eye contact and enjoyed play interaction but rarely initiated communication.
Hearing Screening: Normal results.
Oral-Motor Skills: Within normal limits.
Therapy Plan
Goals:
Intervention Strategies:
Progress Over 6 Months
By the third month, A.R. began to imitate familiar words and use two-word combinations such as “Mummy come” and “Want ball.”
By the sixth month, his vocabulary had grown to over 100 words, and he started using 3–4 word sentences in daily interactions.
Parents reported increased confidence and reduced frustration in communication.
Outcome
A.R. showed significant improvement in expressive and receptive language skills. Therapy frequency was gradually reduced to once weekly with continued home reinforcement. He was later transitioned to a preschool setting with ongoing language monitoring.
Therapist Remarks
“A.R.’s progress highlights the importance of early intervention and consistent parental participation. Speech delay, when addressed at the right time, can lead to excellent communication outcomes.”
