Kids rely on hearing to interpret the world around them, to learn speech and language, and to get help with vocabulary and pronunciation. However, if they are suffering from ear infections or another ear issue that leads to impaired hearing, their speech development is considerably affected. As per Top 10 Child Specialists in South Delhi, ‘Speech delay is even seen in kids who are suffering from spectrum disorder, autism, and cerebral palsy issues which affect tongue motility.’

 

Wondering what is speech development problems in kids and how to go about it? Read on.

 

How do Paediatricians Define Speech Development Problems?

 

Speech development problems in children ally essentially described as a delay in the child’s ability to understand and use language to speak. It is a concern that a child is not meeting the speech developmental milestones based on their age.

 

To be more specific, a one-year-old child or a 15-month-old child is not yet speaking a couple of clear words, a two-year-old is not yet putting words together to frame sentences, or a three-year-old's speech is difficult to understand. A pediatrician uses a variety of milestones to help suppose where a child should normally be from a speech development-related standpoint.

 

Key Tips from Paediatricians to Support Children with Speech Development

 

Generally, a parent or caretaker of children takes cues from a pediatrician on how to identify their child who is facing speech delay and determine when it is the right time to seek treatment.

 

Here are some strategies a pediatrician recommends:

 

• Emphasize early intervention.

Start communicating with a child from birth by narrating your actions, pointing to objects, talking about them, and singing songs.

 

• Engage in frequent, interactive communication.

Sing nursery rhymes, use gestures to accompany words, and play games that encourage the child to speak. Make their learning a fun activity and celebrate their progress in speech development.

 

• Read aloud and regularly.

From an early age of the child, make it a habit to read aloud stories.

 

• Help the child make sentences.

When the child is around 2 years old, help him/her build on vocabulary and learn sentence structures. Help the child expand on his/her words.

 

• Create a supportive environment.

Use simple sentences when communicating with the child. Speak slowly and clearly. Avoid completing the sentences for the child unless it is necessary. Encourage the child to express and communicate their thoughts and feelings.

 

• Give full attention to the child.

Attentively listen to what the child speaks and allow some time for the child to respond.

 

• Don’t compare a child’s speech with others.

Every child develops speech at their own pace. So, avoid disheartening the child by comparing their speech with that of other kids.

 

• Practice positive reinforcement.

Praise the efforts of the child in trying to make a clear speech and focus on the child’s strengths.

 

• Seek a pediatrician's help.

If concerned about the child’s speech development, speak with a pediatrician.

 

What Does a Paediatrician Do to Help Kids with Speech Development Problem? 

 

A pediatrician shares some general guidelines to weigh in and say about what a child should be doing respective of his/her age or what normally should be the speech of children of a particular age group.

 

They can check on whether a child is at risk of speech delay. For confirmation, they take a full medical history of the child and family, gather critical information from the parent, and carry out a full examination of the child, specifically of ears, throat, and tongue. 

 

A full evaluation of the child's ear is also done, including hearing tests along with other tests to check for other underlying conditions that could impair speech.

 

After evaluating the potential problems contributing to speech development issues and identifying a clear cause, a pediatrician works in collaboration with audiology and speech therapy specialists to provide appropriate treatment. 

 

For cases of hearing loss, a pediatrician may intervene by putting in ear tubes and retesting hearing to further improve speech. In case of tongue immobility, like a tongue tie, a speech therapist may intervene to exercise tongue mobility and also perform repair.

 

Where to seek help?

 

Dr. Promilla Butani is one of the Best Pediatricians in South Delhi who treats kids with delayed speech development. She, along with her team of specialists, effectively manages the speech delay in kids. A proper approach ensures streamlined care. To reach out for an appointment, fill in the details on the website or visit the clinic in person with the kid.