The development of speech and languageis an essential component of early childhood development for all children. In most cases, children begin to use words like mama and dada around 1 year. By the age of two, they are able to use simple sentences. Some children may have trouble speaking as compared to other peers or may not even be able to communicate using gestures and pointing.
Determining why there are delays in developing speech and language skills will help parents get some early intervention and support if necessary.Developmental pediatricians’advice parents to identify and sought early evaluationsto understand the cause for speech delay and to maximize a child’s development of communication skills.
What is Delayed Speech?
Delayed speech is identified when a child does not meet speech and language milestones that are appropriate for their age group. While each child progresses at their own rate, significant delays in achieving their milestones might imply there are some sort of developmental or medical causes involved as well.
Why is it important to pick up red flags for speech delay?
Speech delay can affect the child’s capacity to develop vocabulary, express his/her needs and ideas, pronunciation of sounds and the ability to form sentences. Speech delay can also be a symptom of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Early identification will assist the child to develop the milestones required for communication.
Do I need to see a Developmental Pediatrician as well if my child has speech concerns?
A Developmental Pediatrician will evaluate all domains of development and can also recommend if additional investigations would be needed. The Doctor will check your child for hearing issues, developmental disorders, Oro-motor problems, lack of a stimulating environment as well as bilingual language development etc. Consulting a Developmental pediatrician will help you to understand your child’s overall development.
When should I see a Developmental Pediatrician for my child’s speech delay?
Parents should consult a Developmental Pediatrician for your child’s speech, if your child:
- Can not use pointing and gestures to communicate
- Does not say a single word by 16 months
- Cannot combine two words by age 2
- Has difficulty understanding simple instructions
- Struggles to communicate at family or schools
- Stutters
- Lacks clarity of speech while talking
How does an early intervention program for speech helps my child?
The early intervention program for communication development, provides structured techniques that improve speech. The program uses evidence-based methods to:
- Improve pronunciation
- Expand vocabulary
- Strengthen oral motor skills
- Encourage social communication
- Treat stammering
- Treat misarticulation concerns
- Improve clarity of speech
The Early intervention program for speech delay can significantly enhance a child’s confidence, learning ability, and one to one social interaction.
Who conducts the early intervention program for speech delay?
The early intervention program is a holistic program for communication development. This program is carried out by a team of multidisciplinary professionals headed by a developmental pediatrician who sets the goals for your child across different developmental domains. The intervention plan was carried out by speech and language pathologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Along with this, parents also receive one-to-one sessions with our clinical psychologists. This program not only focuses on the speech concern but also specialises in addressing the root causes of speech delay.
Read more: Speech & Language Challenges and therapy insights
Conclusion:
Delayed communication in a child needs to be addressed at the earliest. Early intervention program will help your child develop the pre-requisite skills needed for speech and will also equip the child to use his/her communication in a more confident manner. Parents need to consult a developmental pediatrician at the earliest to ensure that, apart from speech delay, other developmental domains are also assessed for age- appropriate development.
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