When a child is diagnosed with a speech delay, it can be difficult for parents to know how to help. While every child is different, there are some general tips that can be useful in helping a child with speech delay. With patience and perseverance, parents can help their child develop the communication skills they need to succeed.
Speech delay in children
What is speech delay?
What are the symptoms of speech delay?
Speech delay is characterized by a child’s inability to produce speech sounds or delays in the development of spoken language skills. If a child is experiencing speech delay, he or she may not be able to: Follow simple instructions such as:
Say his or her own name.
Respond to his or her name.
Follow two-step directions (e.g. Walk over there and grab the cup of water)
He or she may: Have trouble with the names of familiar objects (e.g. Door, cup)
Have trouble with everyday phrases (e.g. What’s the time? Two o clock.)
Have trouble with the names of familiar people (e.g. Mum, Dad)
Have trouble with everyday actions (e.g. Wash your hands, Brush your teeth)
Have trouble following simple instructions (e.g. Sit on the couch, Get ready for bed)
Have difficulty answering questions about school or home (e.g. What s for dinner? Where are my shoes?)
Have a hard time organizing tasks (e.g. Taking out the garbage, Making your bed)
Have trouble with friendships and relationships Have a hard time meeting deadlines (e.g. Homework, Chores)
Have trouble getting along with others (e.g. Schoolmates, Teachers).
He/she might be confused by two- or three-word sentences (e.g. I m hungry.)
Speech and Language Milestones for Toddlers
Keep an eye on your children’s developmental milestones so you can be aware of how they act and learn. Not all kids develop at the same rate; they may reach these milestones at roughly the exact same time, but these milestones are a good starting point for parents and caregivers in regard to their child’s growth.
The following list is curated from the article Important Milestones: Your child by Three Years:
- Follow simple commands
- Point at objects when asked
- Get objects when asked
- Look at places parents point to
- Bring things to show parents
- Play pretend, like pretend cooking
- Use gestures and words with parents or toys
- Learn new words
- Say the first name
- Repeat words overheard in conversations
- Name a friend
- Name common household objects
- Be understood by people other than parents
- Say several 2-word phrases
- Say a few 3-word sentences
- Look in the direction of the sound
- Wave goodbye
- Respond to name when called
- Use intonation while babbling
- Take turns
Even if a child did not meet their milestones, it does not indicate that they have a delay in speech and language. A pediatrician should be sought immediately if the little one does not respond to sound or vocalize.
Causes of speech delay
Tips to help a child with speech delay
Excercises for speech delays in toddlers
Read to them
You can help your child overcome a speech delay through reading to them often, as long as you are able to locate age appropriate books for them. Don’t allow your child to practice reading on their own. Flashing lights and other visual distractions will lose their attention and create confusion.
Speak with them
Focusing on sounds or words your child needs to improve could help them at their speech delay. They suggest finding fun activities to make practicing more fun, like exercizing sounds or words that your child might be having problems with. Once your child has mastered the sounds that make up a word, then you can help them apply the new knowledge in learning new words with the same sound.
Encourage singing
Did you know that a toddler may be able to sing before they are able to complete a complete sentence? Singing can be a safe outlet for a toddler who is dealing with a language delay as it can assist children enhance their vocabulary. Research indicates that informal musical performances at home has a positive impact on the development of grammar.
Model self-talk
Whenever you’re with your child, you should always talk about what you’re doing and naming the different objects or items around you. If you’re at the grocery store, you can name each item and talk about it as you put it in the shopping trolley, or if you are at home and playing with toys, talk about the toy and how you are using the toy and your imagination. Repeating this process is key to help your toddler to develop their language skills.
Drinking Straws for mouth exercises
Your child can make use of playing straws to help build up his or her different mouth muscles that are crucial for building their literacy skills. They can utilize the straws alternatively or blow air through them to proceed with the exercise. You might try having a ping pong ball or something similar to train your kid with the goal of blowing the straw and moving the ping pong ball through a goal.
Where to find research based assistance on speech delay?
We have been asked that question often. Parents are hoping to find a quick fix, but research based treatments for speech delay take time and effort. Speech therapy is about teaching our children to communicate, but also about working on their self-confidence and self-esteem. But here are some reputable websites which will give you more information
Language delay in children – https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/development/language-development/language-delay
Activities to encourage speech and language development – https://www.readingrockets.org/article/activities-encourage-speech-and-language-development
Delayed speech or language development? – https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/not-talk.html
Evaluation and Management of the Child with Speech Delay – https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/1999/0601/p3121.html
Language delays in Toddlers: Information for Parents – https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/language-delay.aspx
Conclusion
