If you ever find yourself wondering, “Should they be doing more by now?” — it’s okay to ask. Trust your instincts!

All children grow and learn at their own pace. Some are early talkers, others take a little more time. This is a guide to help parents monitor speech and language development.

Around 12 Months, most children will:

Respond to their name
Babble with different sounds (ba, da, ma)
Use gestures like pointing, waving, or reaching up
Say 1–2 simple words.

Around 18 Months of age, most children:

Say about 10–20 words (or more)
Try to copy words they hear
Point to show you things
Follow simple directions like “give me the ball”

Around 2 Years of age, most children:

Use at least 50 words
Put two words together (“more milk,” “daddy go”)
Follow simple directions
Are understood by familiar people about half the time

Around 3 Years of age, most children:

Speak in short sentences
Ask simple questions
Follow two-step directions
Are understood most of the time

Around 4 Years of age, most children:

Speak in full sentences
Tell simple stories
Answer questions
Are understood almost all of the time

Remember: needing extra support does not mean something is “wrong.” Early support simply gives your child tools to communicate with confidence!

For more information:

https://www.asha.org/public/developmental-milestones/communication-milestones/

For more questions, or to book a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your concerns, please contact us!

Mealtimes can be challenging for many families — but sometimes feeding difficulties go beyond typical picky eating. Your child may benefit from feeding therapy if you notice any of the following:

Difficulty transitioning from puréed foods to solid foods
Your child is not progressing through age-appropriate textures or consistently gags, refuses, or struggles with more advanced textures.
Trouble chewing or managing food
Food may stay in their mouth for long periods, fall out, or cause frequent coughing or gagging. They may avoid foods that require chewing.
A very limited diet
Your child eats only a small number of foods, eliminates entire food groups, or refuses foods based on texture, color, or brand.
Strong sensory aversions to food
They may react strongly to certain smells, textures, temperatures, or appearances of food.
Frequent stress or meltdowns at mealtimes
Mealtimes may be marked by anxiety, crying, refusal, or power struggles that impact family routines.
Slow weight gain or concerns about growth
Ongoing feeding challenges may affect nutrition and overall development.

Feeding therapy supports children in building safe, confident eating skills in a positive and supportive environment. If you have concerns about your child’s feeding or mealtime experiences, early support can make a meaningful difference.

For more questions, or to book a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your concerns, please contact us!

Yes! We support adolescents who may be experiencing challenges with speech clarity, language skills, social communication, executive functioning, literacy, or confidence in academic and social settings. Therapy at this stage focuses on age-appropriate, goal-driven strategies that build independence, self-advocacy, and real-world communication skills. We collaborate closely with families and, when appropriate, schools to ensure meaningful progress that carries over into everyday life.

Absolutely. We work with adults seeking support for speech clarity, voice, fluency, social communication, cognition, and language changes due to injury, illness, or neurological conditions. Whether the goal is professional communication, rebuilding skills after a medical event, or gaining greater confidence in everyday interactions, therapy is personalized, functional, and designed to support communication with purpose and independence.

Coastal Communication LLC offers 45 minute therapy sessions and 1-hour therapy sessions.

Coastal Communication LLC is a private pay therapy practice dedicated to providing individualized, high-quality care for your child. By operating outside of insurance networks, we are able to focus fully on your child’s unique needs—without limitations, session caps, or the administrative delays often required by insurance companies. We accept Zelle, check, credit card, and cash for your convenience. Upon request, we are happy to provide a detailed superbill that you may submit directly to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Our goal is to make the process simple, transparent, and centered around what matters most: helping your child thrive.

Pediatrics/Adolescents

Adults/Geriatrics:

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