If your child is a slow talker, does that mean there’s something wrong? A speech therapist talks us through the process of how speech and language disorders are formed.
Why is it that some children are born to chatter like monkeys, while others take their time, carefully considering each vowel and consonant? For the many mothers who wonder why their children are slow talker, realisation is tinged with worry – is my child having a speech delay?
* What is a speech and language delay?
A speech delay refers to the acquisition of speech sounds in the correct order, but at a slower rate. This includes disorders like stuttering, where uncontrollable repetitions and blocks break up the normal flow of speech. In the disorder called childhood apraxia of speech, children cannot consistently put a sequence of sounds together to say syllables or words, and there is no neurological reason or muscle weakness. An articulation disorder refers to a condition where a child finds it difficult to for certain speech sounds properly (lisping) or he cannot produce a particular sound (like the ‘y’ sound). And in a phonological disorder, the child can produce a sound correctly but may use it in the wrong position in a word, or in the wrong word. For example, he may use the ‘t’ sound instead of the ‘k’ sound, and so will say ‘tea’ instead of ‘key’. On the other hand, a language delay happens when a child’s language is developing in the right sequence, but at a slower rate, which is common among children with developmental delays or who is mentally retarded. The word ‘language’ refers to the system of expressing and receiving information in a way that is meaningful (things to do with meanings, rather than sounds).
* How often does it happen?
Speech delays occur in up to 10 per cent of children. The most common causes of speech delays include hearing loss, slow development and mental retardation. But there are other causes, like psychological deprivation (where the child doesn’t spend enough time talking with adults), being a twin, autism (a developmental disorder), elective mutism (when the child just doesn’t want to talk) and cerebral palsy, which is a movement disorder caused by brain damage. Out of every 200 children, it is estimated that eight will have articulation disorders, two will have language disorders, two will stutter, and one will suffer from a voice disorder.
Look Out For These Tell-tale Signs
Children aged 1 – 2 years:
Children above 2 years:
Children in school:
It is important to check your child’s development against language developmental milestones regularly. If you suspect that he may have a speech and /or language problem, consult your paediatrician for a developmental check-up and get a referral to see a speech and language therapist. A speech therapist will do an assessment on your child’s development, language and speech, and provide information, counselling and recommend further help if necessary. If a child does have possible difficulties with his speech, early intervention will better help him achieve his potential.
Why is it that some children are born to chatter like monkeys, while others take their time, carefully considering each vowel and consonant? For the many mothers who wonder why their children are slow talker, realisation is tinged with worry – is my child having a speech delay?
* What is a speech and language delay?
A speech delay refers to the acquisition of speech sounds in the correct order, but at a slower rate. This includes disorders like stuttering, where uncontrollable repetitions and blocks break up the normal flow of speech. In the disorder called childhood apraxia of speech, children cannot consistently put a sequence of sounds together to say syllables or words, and there is no neurological reason or muscle weakness. An articulation disorder refers to a condition where a child finds it difficult to for certain speech sounds properly (lisping) or he cannot produce a particular sound (like the ‘y’ sound). And in a phonological disorder, the child can produce a sound correctly but may use it in the wrong position in a word, or in the wrong word. For example, he may use the ‘t’ sound instead of the ‘k’ sound, and so will say ‘tea’ instead of ‘key’. On the other hand, a language delay happens when a child’s language is developing in the right sequence, but at a slower rate, which is common among children with developmental delays or who is mentally retarded. The word ‘language’ refers to the system of expressing and receiving information in a way that is meaningful (things to do with meanings, rather than sounds).
* How often does it happen?
Speech delays occur in up to 10 per cent of children. The most common causes of speech delays include hearing loss, slow development and mental retardation. But there are other causes, like psychological deprivation (where the child doesn’t spend enough time talking with adults), being a twin, autism (a developmental disorder), elective mutism (when the child just doesn’t want to talk) and cerebral palsy, which is a movement disorder caused by brain damage. Out of every 200 children, it is estimated that eight will have articulation disorders, two will have language disorders, two will stutter, and one will suffer from a voice disorder.
Look Out For These Tell-tale Signs
Children aged 1 – 2 years:
- Isn’t using gestures, such as pointing or waving ‘bye-bye’ by 12 months.
- Prefers gestures over vocalisations to communicate by 18 months.
- Has trouble imitating sounds by 18 months.
Children above 2 years:
- Can only imitate speech or actions and doesn’t say words or phrases spontaneously.
- Says only certain sounds or words repeatedly and can’t use oral language to communicate more than his immediate needs.
- Can’t follow simple directions.
- Is not understood more than half of the time.
Children in school:
- Says incorrect speech sounds even after the age of seven.
- Has difficulty understanding and remembering information.
- Has persistent difficulties paying attention in class.
- Has problems describing events or telling stories.
It is important to check your child’s development against language developmental milestones regularly. If you suspect that he may have a speech and /or language problem, consult your paediatrician for a developmental check-up and get a referral to see a speech and language therapist. A speech therapist will do an assessment on your child’s development, language and speech, and provide information, counselling and recommend further help if necessary. If a child does have possible difficulties with his speech, early intervention will better help him achieve his potential.
Parents play a crucial role in setting up a good environment for their child’s speech and language development at home. Tips on how to encourage and develop your child’s language skills:
- Expand on your child’s responses: Repeat what your child says and then add one or two new words. Your child is not expected to repeat what you have said, but you are teaching your child to do more advanced talking. For example, if your child says “play ball”, you can reply and expand it to “let’s play ball” or “mummy/I play ball”.
- Be animated while you talk with your child, so as to make the activities you do together fun.
- Make use of mealtime, bedtime, playtime and bath time as opportunities for language stimulation. Children learn most from play and daily routines.
- Wait for your child to respond rather than rushing in to prompt him with an answer.
- Repeat what your child says to show that you are paying attention and are interested in what he says and does.
- Use simple words and phrases with very young children. For instance, if your toddler points to milk, say “drink milk” or “you want milk?” and not “would you like to drink some milk?”, “tell mummy that you want milk first”.
- Make eye contact with your child when you talk to him.
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