Supporting Bilingual Children in Speech Therapy: What Every Parent Should Know
Raising a bilingual child is a gift that can open doors socially, academically, and professionally. But when speech or language delays come into play, it’s natural for parents to wonder:
“Is bilingualism causing confusion?”
“Should we stop using one language at home?”
“Which language should therapy be in?”
Let’s clear up the confusion and talk about how to best support bilingual children in speech therapy—without sacrificing the rich cultural and linguistic identity you’re building at home.
Bilingualism Does Not Cause Speech Delays
First, let’s bust a common myth: speaking two (or more) languages does not cause speech or language delays.
Children all over the world grow up bilingual or multilingual and develop language skills in line with typical milestones. If a child shows delays in both languages, that’s when a speech or language disorder may be present—but bilingualism itself is not the cause.
In fact, being bilingual may actually support cognitive flexibility and long-term academic success.
What if my Child Requires Speech Therapy?
In speech therapy, one of the most important considerations is your child’s receptive language—their ability to understand words, instructions, and concepts, even if they can’t express them yet.
Therapy should always be delivered in the language of your child’s highest receptive language accuracy.
Why? Because children need to understand the language of therapy in order to benefit from it. For example, if a child understands Spanish much better than English, then providing therapy in English could slow progress or lead to frustration.
Using the language your child understands best provides a stronger foundation for learning new vocabulary, grammar, and communication strategies. It doesn’t mean they won’t learn or strengthen their second language over time—it just means therapy starts where your child is most ready to learn.
Your Role at Home: Keep Both Languages Alive
Many parents worry that using their home language might confuse their child or interfere with therapy. But the opposite is true.
Here’s what you can do at home to help your bilingual child thrive:
Continue speaking your native language with your child, especially if you are most fluent and expressive in it. Your child will benefit more from rich, natural language than from limited vocabulary in a second language.
Read books in both languages when possible. Exposure to both language systems supports overall language development.
Tell stories, sing songs, and have conversations in your home language to keep cultural traditions and vocabulary alive.
Communicate with your child’s SLP (speech-language pathologist) about your home language practices so therapy can be tailored to your child’s real-life language environment.
Final Thoughts: Bilingualism is a Strength
Speech therapy for bilingual children doesn’t mean choosing one language instead of the other—it’s about finding the right starting point for your child’s unique needs.
By honoring your child’s strongest receptive language, maintaining the home language at home, and working closely with a culturally aware SLP, you’re giving your child the best possible foundation to become a confident, capable communicator in both languages.
