Is your little one late to talk? (Delayed Speech or Language Development) Let's talk about this!

One of the biggest worries for many parents is whether their little one will speak at the right time and in the right order, like other children. In fact, like any other skill, the age at which a child learns language and begins to speak can vary from one child to another. However, having a little understanding of this speech and language development can go a long way in helping parents understand whether their child should be unnecessarily worried or if it is something they should really be concerned about.

Are speech and language two different things?

Yes, there is a slight difference between the two. Let's see what it is.

• Speech, simply put, is the way we speak. It means the way we make sounds, the way we pronounce words. This is the verbal expression of language.
• Language is a bit broader than that. It means exchanging information. Understanding what others are saying, expressing your ideas and needs in a way that others can understand – this can be done through speaking (verbal), gestures (non-verbal), or writing (written).

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 be able to pronounce words well, but they can only put two words together to form a short sentence. They have difficulty expressing a complete idea.
• A child with a speech delay may try to express his or her thoughts using words and sentences, but it is difficult for us to understand what he or she is saying clearly. The words may be slurred or the pronunciation may not be clear.

Sometimes a child can have both of these conditions at the same time.

What are the signs of a speech or language delay? How do we recognize it?

If your baby doesn't respond to sounds or vocalizes at all, it's a sign that you should see a doctor right away. But it's often difficult for parents to figure out if their child is just a little late in starting to talk or if there's a real problem.

Here are some things to watch out for. If your child has any of these, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor:

• Even at 12 months: If you don't use gestures like pointing or saying "tata bai".
• At 18 months: If you prefer to express yourself through gestures rather than speaking.
• 18 months: If it is difficult to imitate sounds.
• By 18 months: Difficulty understanding simple verbal requests (e.g., "Bring the ball").
• By 2 years: Only imitates spoken words or actions, if not saying words or sentences on their own (`Spontaneously`).
• By 2 years: Continues to say some sounds or a few words, but is unable to communicate anything other than their immediate needs.
• 2 years old: If you can't follow simple directions (e.g., "Put the chair up").
• Even after 2 years: If there is an unusual quality to the voice (e.g., raspy or nasal sounding).

Do you understand what the child is saying?

If the child's speech is not clear enough for his age, you should also be concerned about that.

Usually,

• Parents and those who are constantly with the child should understand about 50% of what a 2-year-old child says.
• At 3 years old, a child should understand about 75% of what is said.
• By the age of 4 , even someone who doesn't know the child that well should be able to understand most of what is being said.

If it is difficult to understand what the child is saying beyond these levels, it is wise to seek medical advice.

Why is it so late to speak? What are the reasons?

There can be several reasons for a speech delay.

• Oral impairment: For example, if there is a problem with the tongue or palate (the top of the mouth).
• Short frenulum: This is the fold under the tongue . When this is short, it can limit the movement of the tongue, which can affect speech.

Often, children with speech delays have oral-motor problems . These are caused by a weakness in the parts of the brain that are related to speech. This makes it difficult for the lips, tongue, and jaw to coordinate properly to produce sounds. These children may also have feeding problems.

Hearing problems are also a major cause of speech problems. Therefore, if there is a suspicion that there is a speech problem, it is essential to have the child's hearing tested. For this, we need to meet with an audiologist. A child with hearing problems has difficulty saying, understanding, imitating, and using language.

Ear infections, especially chronic infections, can affect hearing. However, if one ear is healthy, speech and language usually develop.

How do you accurately diagnose these conditions?

If you think your child has a problem like this, it's best to see a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) as soon as possible. Sometimes we simply call them "Speech Therapists." You can find someone through your family doctor, or you can find one yourself.

What does this `SLP` do?

He or she tests the child's speech and language skills. There are standardized tests for that. They also check whether the child has reached age-appropriate speech and language milestones.

An SLP also looks specifically at these things:

• What does the child understand? (This is called `receptive language`)
• What can the child say? (This is called expressive language)
• The ability to produce sounds and the clarity of speech.
• The child's oral-motor status: This refers to how the organs like the mouth, tongue, and palate work together to speak, eat, and swallow.

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

How can speech therapy help?

The speech therapist will help your child develop their speech and language skills by doing various activities with them. Not only that, they will also teach you how to help your child at home. Because parental support is essential on this journey.

Parents can be the biggest help!

Yes, parents are the most important part of helping a child with a speech or language problem. There are some simple things you can do at home to help improve your child's speech skills:

• Make communication a priority: Talk to your little one often, sing songs, and encourage him to imitate sounds and gestures. Look him in the face when you speak, and speak clearly and simply.
• Read books to your child: Start when your baby is young. Buy age-appropriate soft books, board books, and books with large pictures. Encourage your child to look at the pictures and try to touch them as you tell them about them.
• Use everyday situations: Develop your child's speech and language, talk about the things you do throughout the day. For example, when you go to the store, tell them the names of vegetables and fruits. Describe what you do when you cook a meal or clean a room. Point out toys and objects around the house and tell them what they are. Speak simply, but avoid "baby talk". It is important to make your child hear the words properly.

The most important thing to remember (Take-Home Message)

It is best to recognize these speech and language delays as early as possible and begin the necessary treatment.

If you have any concerns or concerns about your child's speech or language use, don't hold it in and worry, but immediately consult your family doctor or pediatrician for advice. If necessary, they will refer you to a Speech-Language Pathologist. Early intervention can make a big difference for your child!

Speech delay, language delay, children's speech, child development, speech therapy, Speech Delay, Language Delay