Speech therapy has helped many Americans to articulate their thoughts in a more productive way. It is estimated that between six and eight million people living in the United States today have some form of language disability, which often makes communication very difficult. If you’re wondering whether or not speech therapy might benefit your child, check out these considerations to see if it’s time to seek help.
natural mispronunciation
Please note that some incorrect pronunciations are completely normal. Many young children will pronounce the “th” sound as an “f” sound. Preschool-age children may mix up the syllables in words that are too big, or they may put a large number of words together. For example, elephant can become “ellalent”. These cute confusions are completely normal until the age of six.
When to consider help
By the age of three, you should be able to understand most things your growing child is trying to tell you. If her words do not become easier to understand, she may want to seek speech therapy. If there is little or no talking, she must act quickly. This may be a sign of a much larger problem in normal development.
Mispronunciation is a warning that professional treatment is needed. For example, if he or she doesn’t say consonants or has trouble pronouncing vowels, this could be a sign. For example, instead of saying “bat,” the child just says “a.” On the other hand, the inability to say “cow” and instead say “coo” could be an indication that speech therapy will be necessary to normalize communication.
other signs
There are several other signs that professional treatment may be helpful. When reading a book to your child, it is normal for him to point to objects on the pages. If he doesn’t see this, ask him to show you the turtle or the elephant. If he or she repeats the phrase and doesn’t try to point to the object, there may be a problem with language comprehension.
If there are other comprehension problems, such as misunderstood questions or instructions, you may need help. An example is when you ask your child if she would like a cookie and repeat the end of the question instead of indicating yes or no. Pay attention to whether your child uses new words once or if her vocabulary remains stagnant over time, as these are also signs that you may need to consult a professional.
Advantages of the Help
Parents want to give their children all the advantages in the world, and speech therapy can be one way to do that. The way children understand and respond to the spoken word serves as an indicator of brain development. If you suspect that your little one is not keeping up with his peers, or that language is impeding other achievements, professional help can get his development back on track.
