Understanding Speech Delay in Children: What Parents Need to Know

Children can begin to show early signs of developmental delays as they grow, learn, and develop. This is why doctors encourage parents to visit the pediatrician regularly for good visits to track developmental progress. One common issue is a speech delay. Gain more of an understanding of speech delay in children and how it can be treated by Dr. Shakti Matta and the team at Pediatrics for You in Kennewick, WA.

What Is Speech Delay in Children?

A speech delay is a behavioral condition that causes children difficulty speaking, processing language, or completing normal sentences out loud. They may have the thought in mind of what they have to say, but it does not properly translate to their speech due to a mental or neurological issue. A common speech delay condition is stuttering, where the child gets stuck on certain words and sounds. Another issue that is often associated with autism is the general inability to put sentences together in a logical pattern. A speech delay can also affect a child's hearing and cognition. Speech delays can significantly impact a child's self-esteem, learning ability, and socialization skills.

What Parents Should Know About Speech Delay

If you are a parent with a child who may have a speech delay, there are a few important things you should know:

• Speech delays in children can be treated successfully with the help of a therapist.
• You must commit to meeting and working with the child's teachers and administrative staff to employ comprehensive solutions for your child in the classroom.
• Practice and encouragement from the parents and family are crucial to the effectiveness of speech therapy for children.

Speech Delay Treatments

Your child's pediatrician in Kennewick, WA, will likely recommend a treatment plan that has multiple layers to help your child's speech delay. The first step is diagnosing the issue and determining the potential cause of the speech delay. The next step is to link your child with a speech-language pathologist to begin regular appointments to implement one or more of the following proven techniques:

• Articulation therapy.
• Modeling and parallel talking.
• Visual intervention methods.
• Oral motor therapy.

Getting Help for Your Child

A child with developmental delay is best treated with therapies from as early an age as possible. For assistance with therapies for speech delay in children, visit Dr. Shakti Matta at Pediatrics for You in Kennewick, WA. Call (509) 572-2201 today to set your appointment.