Identifying speech disorders early is very
important if you want to be able to correct them before they aggravate. The
challenge parents face is knowing what is normal as children learn to speak and
when they need to consult with an expert. Here are a few tips on how to
identify the early signs of a speech disorder in a child. We’ll also provide
general advice on how to distinguish normal linguistic trip-ups with signs of a
more severe problem.
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Trouble Pronouncing Words
Children may
have trouble pronouncing words for a number of reasons. Cleft palates, cleft
lips, issues with motor control, hearing problems, and phonological disorders
are just a few possible explanations.
Conversely,
many children go through a “dysfluent” stage where they trip
over words before improving. You could take steps at home to improve the matter
like slowing down when you talk so that your child doesn’t trip up trying to
mimic your staccato speaking style. And be patient when your child speaks so
they don’t feel a need to rush what they say, increasing the odds they’ll trip
up. What if your child doesn’t improve? A speech-language
pathologist could assess your child and determine if speech therapy is
appropriate.
Stuttering
Stuttering can
take a variety of forms. Your child may repeat sounds involuntarily. They may
repeat specific syllables. This is different than the normal pattern of
repeating a word once or twice while learning how to talk about the age of two. In fact, it is normal for
young children to repeat the first syllable or word. When stuttering, they
repeat the word or syllable more than twice. And they repeat the same sounds
across many different words. A child who is stuttering may hold out the first
sound of the word like turning an “s” into a hiss or repeating “sh-sh-sh”. They
may even try to speak but get stuck. This is called “blocking. Your child may
have tensed facial muscles when this happens.
A normal child
may repeat the first word or syllable more often when excited, tired, or upset,
but they don’t repeat the same syllable when calm and collected. If a child
only stutters during these periods of high emotion, don’t rush to the doctor.
However, if they are constantly stuttering, if they’re struggling with
blockages, or the issue hasn’t improved with time, consult with a doctor. Or
you could check out a site like Stutteringdoctor.Com that offers simple
techniques and exercises to correct stuttering.
Limited Vocabulary
A two-year-old
child should know fifty to a hundred words. If your child is not using this
many words, it could be a sign of language delay. Children between the ages of
two and three should have a rapidly expanding vocabulary and be joining two
words together. By three, they should have at least three-word sentences.
Unfortunately, instead of talking to a professional, many parents take a ‘wait
and see’ approach. However, you should seek professional help as soon as
possible. Young children can benefit from early intervention, especially if the
exercises are presented as games. And this can reduce both the frequency and
severity of their stuttering.
Conclusion
There are many
potential explanations for a child struggling to speak clearly. Make sure that
you understand the differences between normal phases a child may outgrow to
issues you need to discuss with a medical professional.
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