If you’re worried that your child has a speech-language disorder, you’re not alone. Speech, voice, language, or swallowing disorders affect approximately one in 12 U.S. kids aged 3 to 17.
Delays and disorders in speech & language can also occur in children younger than 3. Early intervention therapies have a remarkable positive impact on Fort Myers speech therapy for kids, as dedicated providers. Early identification and treatment of speech & language disorders can reduce the likelihood of children developing discernible communication problems as adults.
You should consider a number of factors when considering Hope AMC speech therapy (and other early interventions such as ABA therapy and occupational therapy):
- Underlying conditions and their severity
- Intervention begins when a child reaches a certain age
- Intensity (length and frequency) of the intervention schedule
- Reinforcement and consistency
The speech-language therapy team at our clinic is highly qualified and dedicated to treating children with a variety of delays and disorders. There are, however, some pediatric speech-language deficits that are more prevalent than others.
These Include :
Speech Or Articulation Delays
Even though the terms “speech” and “language” are often used interchangeably, they are technically separate skills. Talking is a mechanical or motor activity. Stuttering, combining sounds incorrectly, or having difficulty pronouncing words are some of the common speech and articulation delays among children. Occasionally, there is a physical cause for this (like a cleft palate), but it is not always evident. Autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome are both global developmental conditions that can lead to speech delays. It is not uncommon for them to appear as a singular issue at other times. In cases of speech and articulation delays, a pediatric speech therapist should be consulted before deciding whether to intervene.
Expressive Language Disorders
There are problems with verbal expression associated with these conditions. Children with these conditions may have difficulty forming complete sentences or thoughts. Speech-language therapists can help children with expressive language disorders by identifying the problem and working on sound-letter associations, phonics, and pre-literacy skills.
Receptive Language Disorders
It is a condition in which a child hears perfectly fine but has difficulty decoding meaning in the brain. It is sometimes called a language processing disorder. In some cases, language processing disorders are initially misdiagnosed as speech delays due to their similar appearances. Due to the repetitive nature of early language, parents and caregivers might miss receptive language disorders. You may regularly say, “Time for your bath! ” Although your child may recognize the sound pattern and go to the bathroom, it does not necessarily mean they understand the individual components: “time,” “your,” and “bath.”
Social And Pragmatic Speech Disorders
Children with social pragmatic communication disorder have difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication that cannot be explained by low cognitive ability. People may talk nonstop without realizing the other person isn’t listening or engaged. They might interject inappropriately or reply in a nonsequitur manner. Some people fail to “take turns” when talking, or fail to make eye contact, or breach certain social “rules” that are considered inherent to social communication.
Voice Disorders
Children with chronic voice disorders make up about 5 percent of the population. Voice quality, volume, pitch, and quality problems are among these issues. A person’s voice may sound hoarse or harsh, high or low, loud or quiet, etc. The causes of vocal cord polyps and nodules vary, but can include infections, reflux, poor vocal fold movement, etc. When children suffer from weak voices or other voice disorders, speech therapy exercises may be beneficial.
How Hope Amc’s Early Intervention Speech Therapy Can Help
When children hit school-age, pediatricians used a “wait-and-see” approach involving hanging back and seeing if concerns about speech-language development persisted. Speech-language disorders are more likely to be diagnosed and treated early because research has shown more effective treatment results when the earlier interventions begin. The effectiveness of early intervention speech language therapy is much higher. Children’s brains are more malleable when they are young. Early intervention helps reroute neural circuits that are missing in children with speech and language delays
The first year of life is a time for children to recognize recurring speech patterns. Babies 12-18 months old are usually capable of understanding at least a few words without any gestural or other cues. These combined skills show that they are acquiring both expressive and receptive speech-language skills.
There is no doubt that spotting a speech problem in a 2-year-old is a bit more challenging than spotting one in a 6-year-old. However, that does not mean evaluations should be put off. Because toddlers are just learning how to speak, things like lisping, slurring and mispronunciation are common. Because of this, our speech therapists focus more on identifying whether and how kids are communicating rather than their word articulation accuracy.
Especially if they do not use gestures, show understanding of what is being said, or respond to what is said with their own name, they may be a cause for concern if they are more than one and don’t use words. These can indicate a bigger problem – perhaps autism, but also perhaps other speech-language delays or disorders that are not related to autism. In any case, it’s best to get them evaluated as soon as possible.
Counting missed speech-language milestones in months is another way to think about early intervention speech therapy. However, if the delay persists for a long period of time, it will compound into a lifetime delay. For example, a child who starts Hope AMC speech therapy at 18 months may be 6 months behind, while a child who starts treatment at 3 will be 1.5 years behind. Children who receive therapy early have a better chance of catching up.
At Hope AMC, we offer initial consultations, comprehensive speech-language evaluations, and testing for early intervention speech disorders in children Dubai. Call us at +971-529997075 or mail to [email protected] for consultation booking.
