Kids are born prepared to learn language by hearing and practicing the language that their family uses to communicate. Learning a language takes time. How rapidly a child learns the language varies. Some children learn it quickly and some may take time. Typically, growing children may have trouble with certain sounds, words, or sentences while they are learning the language. Most children begin to use language properly around 5 years.
Speech-Language Disorders and Impediments:
Speech is how we produce sound and words.
Language is the words and sentences we use to communicate. A speech disorder
is when a child has a problem with producing speech sounds essential to
communicate. It makes others unable to comprehend the speech of the child.
Speech problems include:
Ø
Blurred
sounds
Ø
Raspy
or hoarse voice
Ø
Repeat
sounds
Ø
Speaking
with pauses
Language disorder is when a child uses fewer
words and simpler sentences than other kids of their age. They find it problematic
to use suitable words or make a whole sentence. Their words and sentences may
not make sense.
Children with language issues struggle:
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Understanding
Ø
Talking
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Writing
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Reading
Speech-Language Disorders and impediments make it
difficult for the child to make certain sounds and make others understand what
they want to say. Kids with such disorders often face trouble when they try to
make friends and be social or when they start learning and writing.
Now
coming to the most common speech-language disorders and impediments:
Articulation
disorders:
Articulation means making sounds. Sound
is formed with proper organization and movements of the tongue, lips, teeth,
respiratory system, and palate. Speech involves diverse nerves and muscles. Articulation
disorders involve improper production of speech sounds because of trouble with insight,
timing, placement, direction, and movement of tongue, lips, jaw, and airflow.
Children with articulation disorders
have:
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Struggle
to make sounds and form specific sounds of speech properly.
Ø
May
not produce particular sounds.
The most common articulation booboos in
children are ‘L’, ‘R’, and ‘S’ sounds. Typically, children with articulation
disorders have minor to moderate shortfalls in speech fluency.
Apraxia:
When the neural path between the speech
muscles and brain is mislaid or masked the condition is referred to as apraxia
of speech. In this condition, the person knows what he/she wants to say, they
can write what they want to say but they can’t speak. Because the brain is not
able to send accurate messages so speech muscles are not able to articulate
speech. The sternness of apraxia may vary ranging from most efficient to confused
speech. Parents can practice speech therapy ideas at home to improve
their child’s speech.
Dysarthria:
Dysarthria is associated with nerve or
muscle damage. It is caused by nerve impairment or muscle harm to the muscles involved
in the speaking process such as the tongue, lips, vocal cords, and diaphragm.
It may begin during the growth in the womb or soon after birth as a result of
some health conditions such as cerebral palsy and dystrophy.
The ailment itself become evident:
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Inaudible
speech
Ø
Slackened
speech
Ø
Inadequate
movement of lip, jaw, or tongue
Ø
Irregular
rhythm and pitch when speaking
Ø
Voice
quality fluctuations
Ø
Difficulty
articulating
Stuttering:
Stuttering is also known as stammering.
It is a well-known speech-language disorder so anyone can apprehend it easily.
Possibly every child stutter initially when they learn to speak. Stuttering may
also be accompanied by non-verbal involuntary activities or semi-voluntary movements
such as abdominal twitches or blinking.
Speech-language pathologists are
qualified to diagnose symptoms of stuttering, mainly non-verbal symptoms. This
disorder becomes seeming when the child starts talking and it may also be superficial
during childhood. Stuttering becomes a considerable problem when it influences the
daily activities of a child or when it causes worries. In some kids, symptoms
are prompted by certain events.
Autism
spectrum disorder:
Autism spectrum disorders comprise a problem
with communication and behavior. Autism can be a slight problem or a debility
that necessitates full-time care or special care. Children with autism have
trouble understanding what others feel and think. They find it tough to direct
themselves with words or through touch, gestures, and facial expressions.
Indications of autism spectrum disorders
are:
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No
eye contact.
Ø
Narrow
or intense interest in certain topics.
Ø
Overdoing
something like moving back and forth or repeating words and phrases.
Ø
Not
looking at or listening to others.
Ø
Avoiding
being cuddled or held.
Ø
Trouble
adjusting to changes in their routine.
Ø
Struggle
using or understanding speech, tone of voice, facial expressions, or gestures.
Receptive
disorders:
Receptive language disorder is when a
child is not able to recognize the language and what is said. They fight to hold
the meaning of words they hear from others. The cause of these disorders is not
known but these may be caused by several factors. The symptoms may vary from child
to child but mostly the language comprehension problems commence before three
years of age. Children should realize what others say before they use language
to speak.
Warning signs of receptive disorders
include:
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Trouble
understanding what others say to them.
Ø
Struggle
following the instructions given by others.
Ø
Unable
to organize their thoughts and feelings for speaking or writing.
Ø
Not
understanding gestures, and concepts.
Ø
Not
able to identify objects, learn new words, and answer questions.
Selective
mutism:
Muteness- selective mutism is a form of autism.
It occurs when a child does not speak in most circumstances even when he/she is
skilled at speaking physically. Commonly this condition is represented when a child
says well at home but not at school or in the public.
Symptoms include:
Ø
Desire
to speak is prevented by fear, anxiousness, or embarrassment.
Ø
Evading
eye contact and shyness.
Ø
Incapability
to speak in school, social events, or public places.
Ø
Lack
of expression and movement in scared situations.
Ø
Using
non-verbal communication to express their needs.
The problem begins during childhood. The
problem can continue to adulthood if left untreated. Speech-language therapists
work with selectively mute kids to address speech-language disorders and
make a customized treatment plan.
Expressive
disorders:
When a child has distress talking, expressing
their thoughts and feelings to others, the condition is called an expressive
disorder. They have trouble using language and when trying to speak. Expressive
disorders are frequently identified between the age of 3 to 5 years. Expressive
disorders may disturb a child’s spoken and written language.
Children having expressive disorder may
have symptoms such as:
Ø
Struggle
to put the words together to make a sentence.
Ø
Using
placeholder words (umm).
Ø
Not
able to find the correct words while speaking.
Ø
Skip
the words form sentences while talking.
Ø
The
trouble with naming objects, using gestures, and asking questions.
If a child is having matters with
speech-language development, you should refer to a speech-language pathologist.
They will evaluate the child cautiously to determine the reason behind the problem.
Speech therapy can help improve severe signs. Speech-language therapists explain
to children how to use their mouth and tongue to make certain sounds and
speech. Most kids get improved with speech therapy. The sooner you start the
therapy better will be the outcomes. They may also recommend some speech
therapy ideas to try at home. Parents can use these ideas to improve speech
in their children.
Children with speech-language
disorders may need some further help from a speech-language pathologist. It
may take time so you need to be easy-going as a parent but speech therapy can
improve the extents of weakness and significantly boost your child’s
communication.
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