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Parents Alert ...
to Possible Speech and/or Language Problem

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As a parent, there are so many factors to be aware of concerning your child's development and well being. All of the information out there can be a bit overwhelming and sometimes even scary. But, learning about your child's speech and language development and being able to identify a potential problem is critical to your child's success, self-esteem and overall well being. Because all communication disorders carry the potential to isolate children in their social and educational surroundings, it is critical to find appropriate timely intervention. The earlier speech and language problems are identified and treated-the better!

Speech and language problems are not uncommon at all! It is estimated that communication disorders affect one of every ten people in the United States.

First of all, it is important to understand what a speech and language problem is. A speech problem is characterized by speech that is unclear and distorted, therefore, making it hard for the listener to understand what is being said. Factors that might contribute to a speech problem include paralysis, weakness, and/or impaired sensation of the lip, facial and/or tongue musculature or an impaired ability to hear and/or analyze speech sounds.

Children with speech difficulties are usually able to understand the meanings of conversations well and know what they want to say. However, they are unable to produce what they want to communicate distinctly. There are varying degrees of speech problems. Some children can speak most words clearly with the exception of those speech sounds that are the most difficult to form. Others can make distorted approximations of consonants and vowels. The worse case scenario is that the child can only produce a series of vowel sounds.

Language problem can be divided into two categories:

1. children that have trouble understanding what is being said to them
2. children who comprehend the meaning of spoken speech but cannot purposefully cause the speech muscles to move at the desired time and in the succession necessary to produce the speech sounds that make up a word

 

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Early Intervention ... can make all the difference in the world.

The following are ten possible alerts that might indicate a speech and/or language problem in your child:

• Your child does not talk by the age of two
  
• Your child's speech is largely unintelligible after the age of three
  
• Your child leaves off many beginning consonants after the age of three
  
• Your child does not use two or three word sentences by the age of three
  
• Word endings are consistently missing from your child's speech
  
• Your child is embarrassed and disturbed by his/her speech at any age
  
• Your child's voice is monotone, too loud, or too soft, or of a poor quality that might indicate a hearing loss
  
• Your child has difficulty expressing his/herself or organizing thoughts
  
• Your child's speech is too fast, too slow, or doesn't flow naturally after age five
  
• Your child's speech contains hesitations, repetitions, prolongations or grimaces

These are a few of the warning signs of potential speech or language problem. If you are concerned at all about your child's speech or language, it is strongly suggested that you contact a speech pathologist or your child's pediatrician

 

Where Can I Get Additional Information?

Tustin Speech & Language Center
661 West First Street, Suite E
Tustin, CA 92780
Phone: (714)-838-2853
Info@TustinSpeech.com

 

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Last Update
9/23/03

Tustin Speech & Language Center  •  661 West First Street, Suite E  •  Tustin, CA 92780  •  Phone:(714)-838-2853  •  Fax:(714)-838-4533
Info@TustinSpeech.com