My Roar Therapy Resources

Your trusted guide through the journey of speech, language, and developmental growth. You’ll find helpful tools, developmental milestones, and curated links to support your child’s communication journey at every stage. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for expert guidance, we’re here to help you feel informed and empowered.

Infants & Children Milestones (Birth - Pre-K)

Birth – 12 Months

  • Begins to coo and make vowel sounds.
  • Uses different cries for different needs.
  • Babbles with consonant-vowel combinations like “ba,” “da.”
  • Responds to name and simple spoken words.
  • Accepts breast/bottle efficiently; begins purees around 4–6 months.
  • Starts using gestures such as pointing or waving.
  • Begins drinking from a cup and self-feeding with fingers.

12 – 24 Months

  • Has a word for most familiar items or people.
  • Puts two words together (e.g., “more juice,” “daddy go”).
  • Uses many different consonant sounds (e.g., p, b, m, n, d).
  • Points to pictures in books when named.
  • Follows simple directions and answers yes/no and WH- questions.
  • Is understood by familiar people at least 50% of the time by age 2.

2 – 3 Years

  • Uses 2–3 word phrases consistently.
  • Understands simple concepts like “in,” “on,” and “big/little.”
  • Uses speech that is increasingly intelligible to family and friends.
  • Demonstrates early turn-taking in conversation.
  • Begins asking and answering “who,” “why,” and “how” questions.
  • Uses utensils with greater accuracy and drinks from an open cup.

3 – 4 Years

  • Uses sentences with four or more words.
  • Tells about their day and participates in short conversations.
  • Is understood by unfamiliar listeners about 75–90% of the time.
  • Retells short stories and answers WH- questions in sequence.
  • Produces new sounds including sh, ch, j.

4 – 5 Years

  • Uses adult-like grammar and a variety of sentence structures.
  • Talks about past and future events, and uses imagination in storytelling.
  • Begins to master more difficult sounds like r and zh.
  • Understands time-related concepts and basic literacy (letters, numbers).

5 – 6 Years

  • Is understood nearly 100% of the time, even by unfamiliar listeners.
  • Demonstrates mature speech patterns, including voiced “th” sounds (~5 years).
  • Voiceless “th” often emerges around age 6.
  • Follows multi-step instructions.

School Age: Kindergarten – High School

Ages 5–7 (Early Elementary)

  • Speaks in full, grammatically correct sentences.
  • Uses language to describe thoughts, events, and problem-solving steps.
  • Retells stories with clear beginning, middle, and end.
  • Understands humor, simple metaphors, and wordplay.
  • Knows letter sounds, starts reading with comprehension.
  • Follows multi-step directions in order.
  • Begins managing simple routines like packing lunch or managing supplies.
  • Eats independently in a variety of settings (home, school, social outings).

Ages 8–10 (Late Elementary)

  • Understands and uses more complex grammar and vocabulary.
  • Uses language to persuade and clarify ideas.
  • Understands multiple-meaning words, idioms, and sarcasm.
  • Develops more advanced literacy skills (e.g., summaries, compare/contrast).
  • Demonstrates self-advocacy in classroom settings (e.g., asking for help).

Ages 11–13 (Middle School)

  • Uses abstract language, including hypothetical and inferential reasoning.
  • Adapts communication for different listeners and social contexts (e.g., peers vs. teachers).
  • Writes using cohesive structure and organized arguments.
  • Navigates peer conflict and social problem-solving with language.

Ages 14–18 (High School)

  • Uses advanced language skills for academic writing, research, and oral presentations.
  • Engages in formal discourse (debate, interviews, professional communication).
  • Understands and uses advanced figurative language, cultural references, and implied meaning.
  • Demonstrates executive function skills: organizing tasks, managing time, planning long-term projects.
  • Effectively advocates for academic accommodations or personal support needs.
  • Applies language to real-world contexts.

Trusted Resources

ASHA

Autism Society of NC

Gigi’s Playhouse

SPD Foundation