When it comes to a child’s speech and language development, a recent poll by the American Speech Language Hearing Association, ASHA, shows a “lack of awareness of the warning signs was cited as the leading barrier to overcome. Such delays can result in treatment that is more involved, more expensive, and less effective than if it began when signs first became apparent.”
It’s not always easy to tell if your child has a communication disorder. Which can affect a child’s ability to detect, comprehend, or apply language and speech. It can range from the inability to understand to substituting different sounds when they speak.
“Milestones can also serve to alert families about a potential developmental delay or disorder in their child. Missing one milestone in an age range doesn’t necessarily mean that the child needs an evaluation. However, if a child lacks several skills, is not learning new ones, or is losing skills that they once had, ASHA encourages families to consult with the child’s pediatrician and visit a speech-language pathologist for an evaluation.” ASHA
Here are a few questions to ask yourself
Do they interact with other children and adults?
Do they make eye contact during conversations?
Are they able to express their opinions or ask questions?
Do they initiate social interactions?
How do they express their emotions?
Do you have any concerns about their hearing?
Do they maintain attention during conversations or play?
Do they participate in group activities?
Do they seem interested in social interactions?
Have they lost any words they used to say?
Make a point to observe how your child communicates in various settings, at home in public areas, and with friends.
Try to ask your child open-ended questions. This will encourage a more detailed responses and descriptive language.
Take into consideration age appropriate developmental milestones to determine your child’s progress for speech and language development.
If you have any concerns about your child, don’t hesitate to seek professional help, consult with your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist.
