A recent study showed how the pandemic affected the speech and language development of children. It analyses over 2.5 million children and the results were significant.
The study divided the children into four groups, four year olds, three year olds, two year olds and one year olds. The study resulted in an increased diagnosis of a speech delay in children.
When a child’s speech development comes into play, the first step should be an evaluation by a licensed speech language pathologist. This will allow you to know and understand where your child is developmentally. The next step should be a strategic speech therapy plan.
Early intervention for a child means an improved ability to interact and communicate with others, advance their social skills, and enhance their emotional development. Early intervention for the parents provides support, education, and guidance. Contact First Words Speech Therapy for more information.
In the article in the Wall Street Journal, “If Your Toddler Isn’t Talking Yet, the Pandemic Might be to Blame”, it said,
“Babies and toddlers are being diagnosed with speech and language delays in greater numbers, part of developmental and academic setbacks for children of all ages after the pandemic. Children born during or slightly before the pandemic are more likely to have problems communicating compared with those born earlier, studies show. Speech therapists and doctors are struggling to meet the increased need for evaluation and treatment.”
“In an analysis of nearly 2.5 million children younger than 5 years old, researchers … found that for each year of age, first-time speech delay diagnoses increased by an average of 1.6 times between 2018-19 and 2021-22. The highest increase was among 1-year-olds, the researchers said.”
“Young children with delayed speech should get treatment as early as possible because children with communication problems tend to have more difficulty in school later on, speech and language experts said.”
