How Orlando Parents Are Helping Late Talking Children

As a parent we worry about our children. Are they reaching their developmental milestones? Their age appropriate communication benchmarks? Or developmental delays? As a parent or caregiver, you know your child best. If you sense there is something just not right, it is important to voice your concerns.

The leading barrier to speech and language problems is lack of awareness. Over 60 percent of parents polled said they were not familiar with the common warning signs. Over half the parents were not aware the importance of early detection.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), late language emergence is “a delay in language onset with no other diagnosed disabilities or developmental delays in other cognitive or motor domains. LLE is diagnosed when language development trajectories are below age expectations. Toddlers who exhibit LLE may also be referred to as ‘late talkers’ or ‘late language learners.’”

The process of speech evaluation can be overwhelming. Between the interview questions, forms to fill out, and emotions involved, understanding your child’s assessment can be difficult.

In the article “How To Help Late Talkers”, by the Speech Pathology Masters Program, 

Expressive language

How one uses language to communicate thoughts through words, gestures, signs and/or symbols.

Receptive language

How one understands information communicated to them through sounds, words, movement, gestures, signs and/or symbols.

Language delay

Developing language skills at a slower rate than peers but in the typical order and pattern.

Language disorder

Developing language skills differently from other children and in a way that does not follow the usual pattern.

Late language emergence (LLE)

Delay in language onset with no other diagnosed disabilities, cognitive delays or motor skill delays; diagnosed when language development trajectories are below age expectations.

Speech disorder

Difficulty forming words, sounds and/or sentences correctly

Children develop at different rates, but if your child isn’t meeting their speech or language milestone, it’s important to get it check out, early intervention makes all the difference. At First Words Speech Therapy, we are dedicated to meeting your child’s speech and language disorder with personalized care.