My Child is a Tortoise in Speech. should I Panic?

by Thanushi Mallikarachchi

A tortoise, regardless of being late and slow, has the reputation of emerging as the winner at the end. This mindset can also be applied to the children who are considered as "Late Talkers," due to their slow pace in acquiring the skill of coherent speech. Parents often panic when their children display a speech delay, and it is quite normal to be anxious. However, persistence, ample awareness and correct remedies can aid the child in tackling this milestone, and eventually, the child will be capable of "catching up" with the peers. But, parents play a huge role in facilitating this process, and their minds should not be clouded with any vague perceptions regarding this condition.

The very term "Late Talker "is quite confusing to many parents. The Hanen Center provides a clear and simple definition for the term, stating that “Late Talker” is a toddler (of 18-30 months) who has good understanding of language, typically developing play skills, motor skills, thinking skills, and social skills, but has a limited spoken vocabulary for his or her age." This definition can be bewildering to many, because they do not show any lack of the other requirements needed for speech. The issue is they do not engage in verbal communication as expected from the children of their age.

Many people are quick to judge that this is a symptom of a language delay. But, According to an article by Nemours Children's Health, "language is giving and getting information." Late talking triggers concerns regarding speech, which is the "verbal expression of language". A late talker can produce language in a different form, such as writing or obeying certain requests and commands. Thus, it is important to know the difference between language and speech, before seeking remedies for the child's condition. Being panicked and hastening to judge can block the parents from being enlightened on the correct methods to help their children. If more information is needed in this regard, this link can lead you to the aforementioned article, which draws a clear line between speech and language delay and guides you on how to be alert in either situation.

Parents should be mindful enough to avoid being smothered by different opinions and perceptions regarding late talkers. One such notion which is deeply rooted in the society is "Boys Talk Late." Another example for such a ubiquitous perceptions is "Let's wait snd see." Abiding by these notions is not wise, because parents should not rely on gender/sex or time while grappling with such a situation. It is always advisable to seek the help of a trusted speech and language therapist as early as possible. You can get more information regarding this by clicking this link.

Moreover, another mistaken viewpoint regarding late talkers indicates bilingualism as a cause for speech delay. In Sri Lanka, as a country with a multicultural social context, this notion has a considerable relevance. Experts advice to talk to the child in the language in which the parents are stronger in terms of proficiency, as a remedy to avoid the child being confused in selecting in which language he/she should speak. However, this video can provide more details on this subject.

If your child is a late talker, you can help you him/her at home. While directing the child to necessary treatments, you can contribute to the improvement of his/her verbal communication skills. Here are some things you can do.

• Read to the child - Develop a habit of reading stories to your child at least once a day. Read with caution, and slowly, allowing the child to grasp how the word is pronounced. Choose books with coloured pictures, as it will encourage the child to engage with the books.

• Talking while doing everyday tasks - This was a technique used by my own mother. When I was late to produce certain words / phrases, she took me through daily routines such as buying groceries and cleaning, and taught me the words while doing the work practically. This method can effectively etch the relevant word in the child's memory, as it is associated an action.

• Talk (or sign) to your child - instead of leaving the child with a bunch of toys or books, communicate with your child. This is often the issue regarding digital devices as well, because they reduce human interactions. Encourage, but do not force your child to talk, but spend time with him/her, and communicate with the child.

These methods are all approved by speech therapists. Here is an article for more details.

Late developers of speech can be supported with such contributions, and your child will not fall behind peers, if the correct approach is taken. Here is a link to a success story narrated by a mother, whose children were also "Late Talkers".