Many kids with speech delays have oral-motor problems. These happen when there's a problem in the areas of the brain in charge of speech. This makes it hard to coordinate the lips, tongue, and jaw to create speech sounds. These kids also may have other oral-motor problems, such as feeding problems.
Early detection is key. If your son or daughter is lagging behind in his or her development, a specific treatment solution can help him or her learn the abilities needed. Many children will progress in their development, but the effects of delayed development sometimes carry into adulthood.
It is also important to realize that some children with speech delay are simply just late talkers and continue to develop an age-appropriate vocabulary and speech skills. In such cases, the children may not have any underlying medical condition.
If your child isn't meeting multiple milestones as quickly as expected, your physician may suggest doing an early intervention evaluation to obtain a better sense of what's going on. The outcomes can guide the types of services and supports that could help your child if your son or daughter needs them.
In the event that you suspect your infant or toddler may have speech and language delays, you can find free screenings through early childhood programs in your area. Your child's pediatrician will help you get yourself a referral to these services, or you might contact area early intervention services.
Whatever your child's age, recognizing and treating problems early on is the best approach to help with speech and language delays. With proper therapy and time, your child is going to be better able to communicate with you and the rest of the world.
Some schools have early screening programs that look at all kids. This allows schools to greatly help more children at an earlier age. Schools can also do testing to find out more about kids skills and how they think and solve problems. The outcomes can help to determine if kids need extra support.
For children which are experiencing physical disorder that is causing difficulty forming and pronouncing words, parents and caregivers suggest using and introducing different food textures to exercise and build jaw muscles while promoting new movements of the jaw while chewing. Another less studied technique used to combat and treat speech delay is a type of therapy using music to promote and facilitate speech and language development.[13] It is very important recognize that music therapy is in its infancy and has yet to be thoroughly studied and practiced on children suffering from speech delays and impediments.[13]
Much like most types of delays, early treatment can make a big difference in the progress your son or daughter makes. Depending upon the diagnosis, treatment may also include play therapy or steps to assist attachment between parent and child.
If your child has a delay, he could need speech therapy. A therapist can work with him on how to pronounce words and sounds, and fortify the muscles in his face and mouth. You may also work with your son or daughter on speech and language:
Remember that the timetable for language development is broad, as well as your child may come across small roadblocks along the way. For example, your toddler might repeat a word many times in the center of a sentence as a means of holding your attention as she formulates the rest of her thought. (This isn't the same thing as stuttering.)
There is still an array of normal in verbal skills in this developmental period. Along with variations in development, your child's personality and circumstances can play a role in just how many words you hear and how often. On average, though, by the time your child reaches age 2, you can expect to see him reach the following milestones.
If your son or daughter might have an issue, it's important to see a speech-language pathologist (SLP) right away. You will find a speech-language pathologist on your own, or ask your medical provider to refer you to one.
Many kids with speech delays have oral-motor problems. These happen when there is a problem in the regions of the brain responsible for speech. This makes it hard to coordinate the lips, tongue, and jaw to make speech sounds. These kids also may have other oral-motor problems, such as feeding problems.
Your child's outlook will change based on their specific condition and age. Some children catch around their peers and meet future language milestones. Other children have more difficulty overcoming language delays and could face problems in later childhood. Some children with language delays have reading or behavior problems because of their delayed language development.