Reginah The Speech Therapist

03/04/2026

25/03/2026

Many parents wonder, Is my child just a late talker, or is there a bigger concern?
Let's learn a little bit about the difference between Speech and Language Delay and Speech and Language Disorder.
Speech / Language Delay- this is when a child is developing speech and language in the right order,but slower than expected. E g. A child who starts talking later but follows normal patterns.
Speech/ Language Disorder - This is when a childs speech or language is not developing typically. Eg. They may struggle to form sentences, use unusual sounds, have difficulties understanding or expressing themselves.
Kindly note; A Delay may improve with time and support But a Disorder often requires Targeted Intervention.
✓ Early intervention is key!
If you have concerns about your child's communication, don't wait. Seek the services of a Speech and Therapist.
Let's support each child's journey to communication!!

05/02/2026

Did you know about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?

DLD affects how a child understands and uses language. It’s not caused by poor parenting, hearing loss, or low intelligence.

Children with DLD may have trouble following instructions, learning new words, or expressing their thoughts. Early identification and support can make a big difference.

If you’re concerned about your child’s language development, trust your instincts and seek professional advice.

19/01/2026

Do you have a child who needs the services of a pediatric neurologist and yet can't afford the fee? Come to Orione Community Training Center Kandisi Ongata Rongai on 24th January from 8.00am with only a registration fee of ksh 100 only. Not only to receive assessment from the Neuro but also from other specialists too i.e. PT, OT, SLT, etc.

10/01/2026

A word of encouragement;

Hearing that your child has a speech or language difficulty can be worrying, especially for first-time parents. Please know that with the right support, they can make great progress.

You are not alone on this journey. By seeking help early, you have already taken a powerful and positive step for your child. Celebrate every small gain, trust the process, and be kind to yourself — growth takes time, and your support makes all the difference.

Lovely weekend

08/01/2026

🗣️ What First-Time Parents Should Know;

Becoming a parent for the first time comes with endless questions—“Is my child developing normally?” is one of the most common.
One area many parents worry about is speech and language development, and that’s completely natural.

🌱 Speech vs. Language – What’s the Difference?
Speech is how sounds are made and spoken (pronunciation, clarity, fluency).

Language is about understanding and using words—both expressive (talking) and receptive (understanding).

A child may have difficulty with speech, language, or both—and that’s okay. Every child develops at their own pace.

🚩 Early Signs to Watch For
While late talking doesn’t always mean a disorder, early awareness helps. Consider seeking advice if your child:

Isn’t babbling by around 6–9 months

Doesn’t say simple words like “mama” or “dada plus at least 3 other words 12–15 months

Has difficulty understanding simple instructions

Uses fewer words than expected for their age

Becomes frustrated when trying to communicate
Rarely responding to their name or familiar voices among others
Early support can make a big difference 💙

🤍 What Causes Speech & Language Difficulties?
There’s no single cause. Some children may have:

Hearing issues

Developmental differences

Family history of speech or language difficulties

Limited exposure to language
Neurological condition
Structural abnormalities

No identifiable cause at all among a few others

And importantly—it is not caused by bad parenting.

🧠 Why Early Intervention Matters
The brain develops rapidly in the early years. When support is provided early, children often make faster and more meaningful progress in communication, confidence, and learning.

🏡 What Parents Can Do Every Day
You don’t need special tools—just everyday moments:

Talk to your child throughout the days activities

Read picture books together

Sing songs and nursery rhymes

Respond to their attempts to communicate (sounds, gestures, words)

Limit passive screen time and encourage interaction etc.

👩‍⚕️ When to Seek Help
If you feel unsure or concerned, trust your instincts.
A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) can assess, guide, and support both you and your child.

✨ Remember: asking for help early is a sign of strength, not worry.

Every child deserves a voice—and with the right support, they can find it.

22/10/2025

Let’s Talk About Sleep Apnea 💤
I’ve come across several clients who show characteristics of suspected sleep apnea, and I thought it’s important to share some awareness in simple terms.

🌙 What’s Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea means that a person stops breathing for short periods while asleep.
When this happens, the body doesn’t get enough oxygen, and the person may wake up many times during the night without realizing it.

😴 What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea happens when something blocks the airway during sleep, or when the brain doesn’t send the right signals to keep breathing going.

There are two main types:

1️⃣ Obstructive Sleep Apnea (the most common type)
This occurs when the airway (throat) becomes narrow or blocked during sleep.
It can be caused by:

Relaxed throat muscles while sleeping

Enlarged tonsils or adenoids (especially in children)

Being overweight

A small jaw, large tongue, or nasal blockage

2️⃣ Central Sleep Apnea
This happens when the brain forgets to signal the body to breathe for short moments.
It’s less common and usually linked to other medical conditions.

💬 In Simple Terms:
Sleep apnea is caused by blocked airways or the brain not sending proper breathing signals during sleep.

🌼 Why Share This?
Because awareness saves lives — and early detection can make a huge difference in both health and communication outcomes.

21/03/2022

Inclusion, awareness and support

12/09/2021

It has been a while I know but here I am to share some information on pediatric voice disorder.
Voice disorder may be characterized by hoarseness , vocal fatigue, periodic loss of voice or inappropriate pitch among others.
Most of voice disorders are as a result of straining the voice examples of straining may include frequent yelling, shouting, speaking often in background noise, chronic throat clearing, environmental factors, nodules, bacterial infections, etc
Voice disorders in children is serious because it may lead to NODULES on the vocal cords.
NODULES are among the most common causes of voice disorders in children.
It's not always easy to diagnose Nodules but once diagnosed there are ways to manage / treat the nodules. It can be through voice therapy, medication, voice rest, among others
Here are a few tips to keep your child voice healthy.
1. Turn down the volume i.e TV, radio, mobile devices
2.Encourage healthy voice habits i.e sipping water to keep the vocal cords hydrated and less prone to injury
3. Avoid irritants i.e smoke, aerosol sprays, air fresheners , hairsprays etc
4. Discourage constant throat clearing it contributes to throat irritation and hoarseness instead let them sip water when need arises among others.
Thank you and let's all have a fruitful week.
Ray SLT