What Are the Early Signs of a Speech or Language Disorder?
Sunday, Nov 30
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You may need to look at a few things when noticing early signs of speech or language disorder in your children that will help in identifying and tackling the disorder in a timely manner:
- Signs in babies usually occur early. They should be babbling by about 9 months, and waving or pointing closer to 9-12 months.
- Signs in toddlers appear after 15 months, if they speak fewer than 10–20 words by 18 months, or 50+ words and combine words by 24 months. Other signs are difficulty understanding instructions, and experiencing frustration when trying to express their needs.
- Signs can also occur in children over the age of 3, where they might have trouble forming sounds, produce very short sentences, have difficulty expressing ideas, and struggle to follow multiple directions.
What Is a Speech vs Language Disorder?
Speech disorders affect how sounds are made and how clearly a person is understood. However, a language disorder affects a person’s ability to learn words, and they have difficulty understanding what others say to them. There are a few ways in which you can identify what a speech or language disorder is.
Speech Disorder Indicators
- Articulation issues: Distorting sounds and making persistent speech errors past the expected age.
- Fluency issues: Fluency issues typically include stuttering, such as repetitions of sounds or words, prolongations, and blocks in speech flow.
- Voice issues: Voice issues may include chronic hoarseness, breathy or weak voice, unusually high or low pitch, or vocal strain that is not typical for the child’s age.
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Language Disorder Indicators
Receptive language problems: This means that the child may have difficulty understanding what is being said to them and have trouble answering simple questions.
Expressive language problems: The child may have difficulty forming words, use a limited vocabulary, and have trouble finding the right words.
When to Seek Help
If you notice your child experiencing any of the indicators or signs mentioned above, then it is best to seek help early on. If progress feels slower than usual and you feel that something is off, it is best to trust your instinct and get support instead of delaying any treatment that may be required in the initial stages. Delaying treatment can slow progress and may impact academic, social, and emotional development.
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In Summary
Early detection of delayed speech or language disorder can make a huge difference in a child’s abilities, especially learning and academic success, communicative, and comprehension abilities. Paying attention to early signs allows families to seek the treatment and support that their child deserves so that their growth and confidence are not hindered in any way, and they can stay on equal footing with their peers or other children their age.
If you are concerned about your child’s speech or have noticed any of the signs mentioned above, don’t wait. Reach out to the speech-language pathologists at SMS Therapy to schedule an evaluation. You can reach out to us at 281-417-3500 and book your consultation session now.