Prevention includes those children who have been identified as at-risk, for example, due to low birthweight, for a communication delay or disorder. Services are provided before a specific diagnosis has been made. Remediation increases function in areas identified as delayed or disabling and may serve to prevent other related problems. For example, remediation of a language disorder can help to offset learning difficulties. Compensation enables the child and the family to make adjustments for limitations, as in some cases of cerebral palsy.
Language is taught in a natural setting.
Play may be used to teach communication, language models or rules of conversation, such as turn taking. Feeding and swallowing treatment may be needed to sustain life. It can also be used to encourage speech-like movements, stimulate sound production, or increase the child's awareness of speech movements.