Integrated Treatment Services is writing a series of articles based on the content of the ‘What Is Speech Therapy’ website, a fantastic resource for parents and carers who have questions about their child’s speech and language development. You can find the website at http://whatisspeechtherapy.com/

This week, we will be focusing on delay vs. disorder – how to know whether your child is just a little late at acquiring speech/language, or if they are developing these skills in a disordered pattern. We will be discussing the difference between the two and when it might be necessary for a speech and language therapist to become involved.

When a child is having difficulty developing speech and/or language, it can often be difficult to know whether they are just a little late developing (delay) or if they are acquiring their speech/language in an atypical way (disorder).

The website states that the stages of childhood speech and language development are “consistently inconsistent – even within a single family it is rare for all children to hit the milestones at the same age. Factors ranging from innate ability to desire to the level and nature of parent and sibling interaction can all speed up or slow down the development of any child’s speech and language.”

There are a few factors however that help a speech and language therapist arrive at a diagnosis of delay or disorder 

• Age of diagnosis: Study after study shows that the older the child is at the time of diagnosis, the higher the risk of a negative outcome. If a child is developing slowly during ages 24 to 36 months there is increased risk of falling further behind. Early intervention has proven extremely effective in preventing poor communication habits by closing the receptive and expressive speech and language gaps.
• Consistency of language development: Your child may be delayed in speech and language but (s)he should be learning and using new words and skills at least every month. This could manifest itself by using a word in new ways. For example, a child might say “binky!” as an exclamation or demand. (S)he might also use the word as a question “binky?” asking where it is. Another way in which your child might use the word “binky” is to ask you to confirm that it is his/her binky and not his/her sibling’s. Language development is also in action when your child begins to connect words together.
• Reliance on gestures: The number and frequency of gestures used by speech delayed children can indicate more severe delayed language learning. Children that frequently use varied gestures in different communication situations are more likely to catch up with his/her peers in expressive oral communication.
• Use of receptive language: Have you ever learned a new language? Well, we all have at least once. In every case, understanding precedes expression. It is true that late bloomers can be distinguished from other children with real language delays based on age appropriate receptive language.

The website also provides some tips for parents about supporting their child through speech and language therapy:

• Learn the specifics of your child’s speech or language impairment. The more you know, the more you can help yourself and your child.
• Be patient. Your child has a whole lifetime to learn and grow.
• Be your child’s advocate. You know your son or daughter best, so take them to a speech therapist for an evaluation.
• Be well informed about the speech and language therapy your child is receiving. Talk with the SLT, find out how to expound on the therapy at home and in other settings. It’s important to find out what not to do as well!
• Give your child responsibilities around the house. Responsibility builds confidence and ability. Keep your child’s age, attention span, and abilities in mind. Break down jobs into smaller steps. Help your child step by step until the job is done. Demonstrate. Provide help when it’s needed, and look for opportunities to praise.
• Talk with and listen to your child. Don’t rush to fill gaps or make corrections. On the other hand, don’t force your child to speak. Be aware of the other ways in which communication takes place between people.
• Talk to other parents whose children have a similar speech or language impairment. Parents can share practical advice and emotional support.
• Keep in touch with your child’s teachers. Offer support. Demonstrate any assistive technology your child uses and provide any information teachers will need. Find out how you can augment your child’s school learning at home.

If you think that your child may have a speech and/or language delay or disorder, Integrated Treatment Services can be of help. Contact us here: https://integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk/contact-us/enquiry

Sarah Bennington, October 2011

Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services. Integrated Treatment Services is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire and the East Midlands. It specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Therapists.