Speech Therapy for Toddlers: When to Worry and When Not To

Your toddler isn't talking much yet, and you've started to wonder: is this just their pace, or is something actually wrong? It's a question that can quietly eat at a parent for months — and most of the worrying happens before anyone reaches out for help. Speech-language pathologist Abigail Skegin-Sipes, founder of Sunshine Speech LA, joins Dr. Kat to talk about why that hesitation is so common, and why waiting tends to cost more than the problem itself.Abigail explains what speech therapy actually covers — far more than lisps and stutters — and why the toddler years are such a critical window for communication. She and Dr. Kat get into the misconception that a child who isn't talking isn't understanding, the case for play-based therapy over clinical drilling, and simple things parents can do at home: getting down to eye level, narrating everyday moments, using repetition games like "ready, set, go." Her core message is freeing — the worst outcome of an evaluation is being told your child is fine.I want to hear from you!  To submit show ideas or be considered as a guest, visit https://chatwithdrkat.com/contact/Follow Chat with Dr. Kat:Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chatwithdrkatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatwithdrkatYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatwithdrkatTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatwithdrkatX:  https://x.com/ChatwithDrKatHealth & Wellness Programs:https://mindbodyseries.com/