Speech and language therapy helps children develop the communication skills they need to express themselves, understand others, and succeed at school and in social settings. At WonderKids in Malta, our qualified speech and language pathologist provides comprehensive assessment and therapy for children with a range of communication difficulties.
What Does a Speech and Language Pathologist Do?
A speech and language pathologist (SLP) assesses and treats difficulties with:
- Speech sounds: Articulation, phonological processes, unclear speech
- Expressive language: Vocabulary, sentence construction, expressing ideas
- Receptive language: Understanding spoken language, following instructions
- Social communication: Conversation skills, pragmatic language, non-verbal communication
- Fluency: Stammering and stuttering
- Voice: Vocal quality, volume, and pitch
- Literacy: Reading and writing difficulties related to language skills
- Feeding and swallowing: Oral motor difficulties affecting eating
Speech and Language Milestones
Understanding typical milestones helps identify when your child may need support:
| Age | Expected Skills |
|---|---|
| 12 months | First words, responding to name, understanding simple words |
| 18 months | 10-20 words, pointing to request, following simple instructions |
| 2 years | 50+ words, combining 2 words, understood by familiar listeners |
| 3 years | 200+ words, 3-4 word sentences, mostly understood by strangers |
| 4 years | Complex sentences, telling stories, asking questions |
| 5 years | Clear speech, following multi-step instructions, pre-literacy skills |
When to Seek Help
Consider a speech and language assessment if your child:
- Is not babbling by 12 months
- Has fewer than 50 words by age 2
- Is not combining words by age 2.5
- Is difficult to understand by age 3
- Struggles to follow age-appropriate instructions
- Has difficulty with social communication
- Shows frustration when trying to communicate
- Is falling behind peers in language development
What to Expect at WonderKids
Our assessment and therapy process includes:
- Initial consultation: Discussion of your concerns and developmental history
- Comprehensive assessment: Standardised and observational evaluation of speech and language abilities
- Results and recommendations: Detailed report with findings and a proposed therapy plan
- Therapy sessions: Weekly, play-based sessions typically lasting 45 minutes
- Home programme: Strategies and activities for parents to use daily
- Progress reviews: Regular monitoring and goal updates
Our Speech Therapy Team
Sarah Agius (BSc SLP) is WonderKids’ speech and language pathologist. She brings expertise across all areas of paediatric speech and language therapy and is committed to providing evidence-based, engaging therapy that helps every child reach their communication potential.
How to Get Started
Contact WonderKids at +356 77048650 or email info@wonderkids.mt to book a speech and language assessment. Our centre at 72 Constitution Street, Mosta welcomes families from across Malta with fast appointments and no long waiting lists.