Most parents think speech therapy starts when a child starts talking - but the biggest clues show up long before the first word. Speech-language pathologist Alita Fisher reveals what really matters in the birth-to-three years, from joint attention and gesture use to feeding, play, and the subtle signs families often miss. If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is “just a late talker” or if something more is going on, this conversation gives you a clearer lens. Alita breaks down why receptive language matters as much as expressive language, why early patterns can affect social-emotional development later, and how simple everyday routines can become powerful moments of support. You’ll discover: 👋Why joint attention, pointing, waving, and showing are major developmental signals between 9 and 16 months 📲How screen time can mask real communication skills without building two-way interaction 👀What speech-language pathologists look for beyond words, including feeding, play, motor skills, and adaptive development 🤟How sign language can help bridge communication without “preventing speech” 🤫Why saying a child’s simplified version of a word still counts as a word 🍝Practical strategies parents can use at home, in books, meals, errands, and daily routines Alita also explains how early intervention works, how families can self-refer for free birth-to-three evaluations, and why waiting for a “bigger problem” often means missing the best window to help. Her message is simple: if your gut says something feels off, check it out early. ✅ Essential listening for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone who wants to better understand how language, behavior, and development connect in the earliest years.
