Every parent wants the best for their children and in some cases this may involve seeking help from a professional. Speech pathology is a common form of therapy used to help children or adults to communicate better. It’s important parents understand the signs to look for in a potential speech disorder, so children can get the proper support they may need.
Discover the key signs indicating you should visit a speech pathologist and get in touch with us at chatterbox to discuss speech opportunities for your child.
What are Speech Problems?
Speech problems include any problem with the voice, language or swallowing. These may arise due to development delays or abnormalities. However, they can also be the result of trauma or other health conditions which impact the use of the tongue, lips, jaw or throat. There are various common speech disorders that both children and adults may experience, all of which can be supported with the help of a paediatric speech pathologist. To get a thorough diagnosis and treatment plan, it’s best to seek the help of a qualified professional.
Signs You Should Visit a Speech Pathologist
You may want to consider taking your child to see a speech pathologist if they are having trouble communicating. This could include issues with speech and language which can often overlap but may receive different treatment. This is because people may have trouble physically speaking but not with language and vice versa.
Speech
Speech requires three elements of articulation, voice and fluency which work together to create effective verbal skills. Some signs your child may be struggling with speech include:
- Articulation: trouble producing certain sounds such as “r” or “th”.
- Voice: trouble producing sound at an understandable volume.
- Fluency: struggles with the rhythm of speech like stuttering or stammering.
Language
Language involves the words we use and how we use them to express ourselves. This includes issues regarding speaking, comprehension, reading and writing. More specifically it can involve:
- Word meanings: understanding word meanings and how they can be used in different meanings.
- Putting words together: making a logical and clear sentence that is fluent.
- Appropriate words to use: different scenarios require different word use to convey meaning.
- Expanding upon words: adding prefixes and suffixes to words when needed.
General Symptoms
If you’re having trouble pin-pointing whether the issue is language or speech focussed, here are some more general signs you might notice:
- Issues being understood by others
- A husky voice that is hard to hear
- Frustration about not being able to communicate
- Struggles to understand what others say
- Stuttering or stammering
- Your child uses less than 50 words by age 2
- Your child uses only a few sounds to pronounce all words
- Trouble using language socially
Having trouble understanding what others say is known as a receptive language disorder, whereas having trouble sharing thoughts, ideas and feelings is an expressive language disorder. A speech pathologist can help with both of these concerns.
How a Speech Pathologist Can Help
A speech pathologist is a university-trained health professional who uses speech therapy techniques to aid patients in communicating better. Treatment will vary between individuals but can include strategies to improve speech clarity, language understanding, signs and gestures or other assisted communication. Speech pathologists often specialise in paediatric care with a focus on early intervention.
In addition to helping with the above speech and language concerns, a speech pathologist can also help with feeding and swallowing issues, learning to read and alternative communication skills for intellectual disabilities. Of course, a speech pathologist’s end goal is to improve the patients quality of life, making them feel more confident in their ability to communicate. By visiting an expert, you can empower and encourage your child to join in on activities both at home and in the community.
Book a Speech Pathologist Appointment
If you’re concerned about any of these speech and language issues, it’s time to organise an assessment. No matter how big or small your child’s communication concerns are, a qualified professional can offer the care and guidance your family may need. At Chatterbox, our clinics provide a warm and friendly environment for supporting your child and empowering them to communicate more effectively through speech pathology.