Every child progresses on their own pace. Some might focus on learning other skills over speech or language first. But the most common situation parents find themselves in is how to gauge if the speech or language development their kids are making is normal or delayed.
The following guide will help you determine whether your child is a late bloomer or you need to seek professional help. We have put together the common symptoms, causes and treatment options or processes to help you understand your kid better and seek relevant advice.
What Is Speech Delay & How It Looks ?
Speech delay is a common developmental issue affecting about 10% of preschool children. It is determined by whether your kid is achieving speech or language milestones, such as if a two-year-old kid can speak about 50 words in two-word sentences. By the age of three, their word count will increase to 1000 words.
So speech delay is when a kid is not able to meet these milestones. But every child has their timeline of learning things and it is difficult to gauge developmental delays on your own. Therefore you need a proper assessment or diagnosis done by a certified speechtherapist.
Signs And Symptoms Of Speech Delay
Research has shown that early intervention can lead to better outcomes. But untreated speech and language delay can continue in40%–60% of the children and they are likely to be at a higher risk of social, emotional, behavioural, and cognitive problems in adulthood.
So seek a professional speech-language pathologist or speech therapist to turn speech delay back on track. However, there are a few signs that every parent can look for. Seek a therapist’s help if your kid shows the following symptoms:
By the age of 1 year
Your kid is not using movements like pointing or waving goodbye.
Fail to imitate sounds.
By the 18 months
Your kid is communicating through gestures instead of sounds (vocalization).
Finds it difficult to understand simple verbal requests.
By the age of 2 years
Your kid is only able to imitate movements and words.
Can’t produce words or phrases impulsively.
Says only a few noises or words repeatedly and cannot communicate through words apart from their immediate requirements.
Cannot follow simple directions.
Has an unusual tone of voice (nasal or raspy).
By the age of 3 years
The kid does not use at least 200 words.
Do not ask for things by name.
You find difficulty in understanding them even though live with them continuously.
Common Causes Of Speech Delay
Speech delay means your child’s timeline of progress is different from other children and proper support can help them regain ground. Here are a few underlying causes of speech delay:
Oral Impairment: Mostly children with speech delays faces difficulty with oral-motor that affects their ability to coordinate tongue, jaw, lips, making speech hard. It can also lead to feeding issues.
Developmental Speech and Language Disorder: Speech and language disorders indicate potential learning disabilities. Children may struggle with communicating, producing sounds, or understanding language, making these issues early signs of learning difficulties.
Hearing Loss: Kids with hearing loss may have trouble with forming words. A few symptoms include not responding to names unless movements or gestures are used. Sometimes, speech delays are the only noticeable indicator.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Communication difficulties can be early signs of autism.
Lack of Stimulation: Children learn to speak with the help of interactions. Without proper verbal exposure, they might find it difficult to develop language skills and reach developmental milestones.
Neurological Problems: Neurological disorders like muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and brain injuries can impair the muscles needed for speech.
Approaches to Speech Therapy Treatments
To navigate the journey of speech and language delays and overcome it involves collaboration. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in supporting their child’s development. Here are few approaches to treatment for speech delays in children:
1. Building a Language-Rich Environment
Your home is the first classroom for your child’s language development. You can try the following quick tips to encourage communication:
Talk Often: Narrate your day, sing, and engage in conversation.
Listen Actively: Pay attention to your child’s vocalizations and respond with enthusiasm, even if their words aren’t clear.
Label Objects: Point to and name items throughout the day to help build vocabulary.
Make it Fun: Use games, songs, and activities to make learning enjoyable.
2. Everyday Activities as Speech Therapy Tools
Speech development can be seamlessly integrated into your daily routines. For example, during bath time, you can sing songs, describe your actions, and narrate the sensory experiences, such as the warmth of the water and the softness of the washcloth.
At mealtime, engage your child by talking about the food, discussing its tastes and textures, and encouraging conversation throughout the meal. Additionally, embrace playtime as an opportunity for speech therapy by participating in pretend play, following your child’s lead, and using simple language to narrate the scenarios they create.
3. Speech Therapy Techniques
Speech therapy uses interactive, engaging and creative processes and methods to improve speech development. Here are few techniques that are generally used by speech-language pathologists to support your child’s speech development:
Play-Based Therapy: This includes games and toys to make sessions enjoyable. While playing, therapists target specific sounds, vocabulary, and sentence structures to improve expressive and receptive language skills.
Articulation and Phonological Therapy: This therapy includes exercises using visual aids and mirrors to help childrent with communication issues learn the correct way to form sounds.
Language Intervention: Apart from just sounds, this therapy helps build vocabulary, comprehension and grammar. Activities in the process includes reading stories, storytelling practice, or conversation-based exercises.
4. Personalized Treatment for Lasting Results
It is important to understand that speech-language therapy needs to be personalised as per the child’s requirements. A speech therapist will thoroughly diagnose your child’s unique needs and learning style and will develop a customized treatment plan. This plan will include activities and techniques specifically designed to address your child’s challenges and goals.
FAQs
1. How will I know if my kid is facing speech delay?
If you see your kid is not meeting important speech milestones, like babbling by 12 months, saying single words by 18 months, or forming simple sentences by the age of 2. You should consult with a certified speech therapist.
2. What causes speech delay in children?
Speech delays can occur due to various reasons, such as oral-motor issues, developmental disorders (such as autism), hearing loss, lack of verbal stimulation, or neurological conditions like cerebral palsy.
3. How is can I get my child’s speech delay diagnosed?
You should contact a speech-language pathologist/speech therapist who will assess your kid’s speech, language comprehension, and oral-motor skills. They might also do hearing tests and developmental screenings to find any underlying issues.
4. What are the available treatment options for speech delay?
Treatments for speech delay includes speech therapy, articulation exercises, play-based learning, and language intervention techniques. As a caregiver you can help support your kid’s speech development by engaging in conversations with them, reading aloud, and using gestures with them.
5. Can a child outgrow speech delay without therapy?
Some children do catch up naturally, especially if they are late bloomers. However, if a delay continues beyond the expected milestones, early intervention is important for improving speech and communication skills.
Final Words
Speech delays can be a topic of huge worry for parents, what is a delay? what is not? how to spot it and whom to consult? There can be a lot of questions and confusion. Consulting a certified speech clinic is the first step. Gradually, with early intervention and the right support, children can successfully navigate developmental difficulties and achieve milestones successfully.
