The most common condition for preschool and elementary age children is communication disorders. It is important for parents and caregivers of these young children to know the signs of speech and language disorders. If they have any concerns have the child evaluated by a speech therapist.
“Many parents have questions about their child’s speech, language, or social communication skills but are often told by family, friends, or even other professionals to wait and see if their child outgrows a potential problem,” said Missy Schraeder, Ph.D., CCC-SLP CALT-QI, CERI-SLDS, and School director at DuBard School for Language Disorders at The University of Southern Mississippi, “Unfortunately, this often results in a delayed diagnosis of a disorder that is highly treatable—particularly when caught early.”
She continued: “It’s especially important to be vigilant now, as some children who traditionally would have been recommended for speech and language services by a daycare provider or pediatrician may have been missed due the pandemic—because many kids remained at home, with more limited interaction with these professionals. Families should know that early intervention services are still available at this time, even if they have been modified due to the pandemic. Now is the time to act on any concern.”
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, here are some signs of a speech or language disorder in a young child (age 3 and under):
Does not smile or interact with others (birth and older)
Does not babble (4–7 months).
Makes only a few sounds or gestures, like pointing (7–12 months).
Does not understand what others say (7 months – 2 years).
Says only a few words (12–18 months).
Says words that are not easily understood by others (18 months – 2 years).
Does not put words together to make sentences (1.5–3 years).
Produces speech that is unclear, even to familiar people (2–3 years).
There are many benefits when a child gets treatment early
The success of the child is maximized.
While treatment at any age is beneficial, the earlier it starts, the more effective and higher the success rate.
Save money and time.
Early treatment typically means fewer treatments, which means less time and any out of pocket cost.
Child is prepared fro school.
Having strong speech and language skills when a child starts kindergarten sets a solid foundation for academic success.
If your child has difficulties with language or understanding words, it’s important to take action. Partnering with a speech language therapist can make all the difference in your child’s life.
If you aren’t sure if your child is on track with their language development, contact First Words Therapy for an evaluation. We are dedicated to providing personalized care to meet your child’s needs.
