In last week’s blog we talked about common speech disorders here in Central Florida, including Apraxia of Speech and Stuttering. Today we are talking about a few more.
Autism and Speech Disorders
1 in 100 people are affected by Autism Spectrum, which makes it one of the most common. Symptoms of autism include problems with speech and communication, as well as social cues. Not all those with autism have issues speaking, but those who have been helped with speech therapy.
Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means it can cause very mild to severe problems. We are often asked how a speech therapist can help their child with autism. ASHA explains how:
Make sounds and speak words
Improve articulation and intelligibility
Have conversations
Ask and answer questions
Ask for help
Take turns in a conversation
Start or stop a conversation
Pay attention to what others do
Play and get along with others
Understand and use gestures, like pointing
Follow directions
Look at books and tell stories
Write letters, words, and sentences
These developments can help your child to:
Make and keep friends
Play with others and share toys
Understand how others feel
Focus with someone on the same object or event, called joint attention
Accept new foods – children with autism may not like the way foods look, taste, or smell, but effective communication can reduce outside frustrations
Aphasia
It is estimated that in the United States 2 million people affected by aphasiaAphasia typically occurs after a stroke or dramatic brain injury. Typically the brain injury affects the flow of blood to our brain, affecting the language center in the brain. Resulting in trouble communicating and speaking properly.
A person with Aphasia may have:
Trouble getting words out
Difficulty writing and reading
Inability to produce coherent sentences or words
Issues understanding communication
Trouble saying or finding the right words
If you have any concerns about your child’s ability to speak or hear, don’t delay. Treated early enough, some disorders can be prevented or even reversed. Take the first step by contacting First Words Speech Therapy, we provide a comprehensive evaluation for a variety of speech, language, and occupational needs. We are dedicated to providing personalized care to meet your child’s speech and language needs.
