As a parent in Central Florida, it can be difficult to know if your child is reaching their appropriate communication benchmarks. Are they just a late talker or do they have a developmental delay?
“Early intervention is critical because it prevents problems with behavior,” said Diane Paul, PhD, CCC-SLP, CAE director of clinical issues in speech language pathology for ASHA. “If the child is frustrated by not being able to communicate, there may be behavior problems, social skill problems, and problems with reading and writing.”
Children with a language disorder or delay often feel frustrated because they aren’t being understood, unable to convey their needs, or understand what others are saying. This can typically lead to behavior issues.
“It’s difficult for children with language difficulties to approach other children; enter play groups; take turns in conversation with peers and adults; and initiate or respond to overtures from peers, which then makes it difficult to establish friendships,” Paul said.
Children develop and learn at their own pace, making the range of what is considered normal very broad.When it comes to a the development of a child’s speech and language, experts don’t recommend the “wait and see” approach.
“Parents should trust their judgement,” Paul said. “If you’re really not sure, the worst that can happen is you’ll get confirmation that your child is just fine.”
Early intervention is very important, it is never too soon to have a speech therapist evaluate your child.
“Speech language pathologists can supplement what the parents are doing,” Paul said. “They can help with parent coaching, and they can really encourage speech and language stimulation to be a part of your everyday experience.”
“Language learning is just a natural part of a child’s life,” Paul said. “Effective communication is really the essence of what makes us human. By paying attention to the milestones and focusing on encouraging speech and language skills, you’re really helping them become part of the human community.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child, we encourage you to contact Orlando’s First Words Therapy. We take a holistic approach to speech-language-therapy to help your child communicate more effectively.
