Does your little one seem to be late in speaking? (Delayed Speech or Language Development) Let's talk about this!

Like any other skill, the age at which children learn language and begin to speak often varies from one child to another, doesn't it? But with a little knowledge of how speech and language develop, parents can easily understand whether there is anything to worry about or whether they can just wait and see. So, shall we talk about this in more detail today?

What are speech and language? What exactly is the difference between the two?

Although we often use the words "speech" and "language" together, there is a slight difference between the two. Understanding that will make this topic clearer.

Simply put, speech is the verbal way we express language. That is, the way we manipulate sounds and words, the way we pronounce words (articulation). To be precise, these are the sounds we make when we speak.

Language is a bit broader than that. It is the process of receiving information and giving information to others. That is, the process of making one's thoughts, feelings, and needs understood by others through spoken (verbal), nonverbal, and written (written) language.

• Speech: The way we speak by pronouncing words and sounds correctly.
• Language: The ability to communicate, understand, and make others understand (through speech, gestures, and writing).

So what are these speech or language delays?

Although speech problems and language problems are two separate issues, they are often seen together. Think about it this way.

• A child with a language delay may pronounce words well, but they can only put two words together to form very simple sentences. They may have difficulty expressing a complete thought.
• On the other hand, a child with a speech delay may try to express themselves using words and phrases, but it can be very difficult for others to understand what they are saying. They may slur their words or be unable to pronounce certain letters.

What are the signs of a speech or language delay? When should we be concerned?

If you have a baby who doesn't respond to any sounds or doesn't make any sounds at all, you should take him to a doctor right away. That's a must. But many times, it's hard for parents to understand whether their child is just a little late in starting to talk, or if there's something really wrong that needs attention.

Here are some things to keep an eye out for. If your child shows any of these symptoms, be sure to talk to a doctor:

• Even at 12 months: If you don't use gestures like pointing or saying 'tata'.
• At 18 months: Trying to express ideas through gestures rather than vocalizations.
• At 18 months: Difficulty imitating sounds made by others.
• If you have difficulty understanding simple verbal requests, such as "give me the ball."
• By 2 years: Only imitates spoken words or actions, but does not spontaneously say new words or phrases.
• Even at 2 years old: If they only say certain sounds or words continuously, if they are unable to talk about anything other than their immediate needs at that moment.
• 2 years old: If you can't follow simple instructions, like "pick up the toy."
• Even after 2 years: If there is an unusual quality to the voice (e.g., hoarseness, raspy or nasal sounding).

Also, if your child's speech is difficult to understand for his or her age, that is, if the speech is not clear, you should tell the doctor about that as well.

• On average, parents and regular caregivers should be able to understand about 50% of what a child says at age 2 .
• At 3 years old, this level of understanding should be about 75% .
• By the age of 4 , even someone who doesn't know the child very well should be able to understand what they're saying pretty clearly.

What are the causes of speech or language delays?

There are various reasons why a speech delay may occur. Some of them are:

• Oral impairment: For example, problems with the tongue or palate (the roof of the mouth).
• Shortening of the frenulum (the fold beneath the tongue): This limits the movement of the tongue and can make it difficult to pronounce certain letters. Some people also call this 'tongue-tie'.

Children with speech delays often have oral-motor problems . These occur when there is a problem in the areas of the brain responsible for speech. This makes it difficult to properly coordinate the movements of the lips, tongue, and jaw needed to speak. Children with this condition may also have other oral-motor problems, such as feeding problems.

Hearing problems can also have a big impact on speech. Therefore, if there is even the slightest doubt about speech, it is essential to have your child's hearing checked by an audiologist . Because children with hearing problems may have difficulty speaking, understanding, imitating, and using language.

Ear infections , especially chronic infections, can affect hearing. However, if one ear is healthy, there is usually no significant problem with speech and language development.

How do you identify these delays? Who can help with this?

If you think your child may have a problem like this, the best thing to do is to see a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) as soon as possible . Sometimes we call them 'speech therapists', right? You can find a speech therapist on your own, or ask your family doctor (Health Care Provider) for a referral.

This SLP (speech and language therapist) will carefully assess the child's speech and language skills. He or she will administer standardized tests and also look closely at milestones in speech and language development.

The speech therapist also pays particular attention to these things:

• What is your child's receptive language ? That is, how well he understands what you say and instructions.
• What are your child's expressive language skills ? That is, how they use words, sentences, and ideas.
• Sound development and clarity of speech.
• The child's oral-motor status - that is, how the organs such as the mouth, tongue, and palate work together during speech, as well as during eating and swallowing.

Based on these test results, the speech and language therapist will recommend whether your child needs speech therapy .

What kind of help does Speech Therapy provide?

The speech therapist will work with your child to develop their speech and language skills through activities and games. It will feel like play to the child. They will also teach you about home-based activities that you can do to help your child. Because in addition to the things you do with the therapist a day or two a week, small things that parents can do at home can make a big difference.

How can parents help with this? This is very important!

Parents play a very, very important role in helping children with speech or language problems. It would be difficult to go through this journey without your help. Here are some simple, yet very effective things you can do at home to help your child's speech development:

• Prioritize communication: Talk to your baby often. Respond to even the smallest sounds he makes. Encourage him to sing songs, imitate sounds and gestures. It is very important to sit with him and talk and play with him from an early age so that he can hear.

Imagine, when your baby says "Aaah..." and you smile and ask, "Aaah... what do you mean, my son/daughter?", he realizes that someone is responding to his sound. That's a great incentive for him to make more sounds.

• Read books to your baby: Start reading books to your baby from a very young age, when they are a few months old. Choose soft books, board books, or books with large, clear pictures that are appropriate for your baby's age. Encourage your baby to look at the pictures as you name them. Set aside a few minutes a day for this.
• Use everyday situations: Talk to your child about the things you do throughout the day to develop their speech and language. Name the types of fruits and vegetables when you go to the store, describe what you do when you cook or clean a room, point to things around the house and tell them what they are. Keep things simple, but avoid using 'baby talk' and using abbreviations. It is very important to pronounce words correctly and say the whole word.

For example, it is better to say "water" rather than "boo" when giving water, and "rice" rather than "bum" when feeding rice. Then the child will learn the right words. Even if it takes a while for him to say those words, the right word will come to his mind.

Final Take-Home Message

Speech and language delays are nothing to worry about, but they are definitely something to pay attention to. The best thing to do is to identify them early and get the necessary treatment and help. That way, your child will be able to speak and express themselves just like other children.

So if you have any concerns or questions about your child's speech or language development, please speak to your family doctor or pediatrician immediately. They will refer you to a Speech-Language Pathologist if necessary.

Remember, don't panic, but don't delay either. Acting early will help your child the most.

Every parent wants to see their child speak well. Let's all be aware and provide the necessary support for that.

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