Nowadays, many kids find it hard to communicate and express their thoughts and even display speech skills that aren’t up to par for their age. These speech issues are caused by speech disorders, which is a broad term for a large number of disorders like articulation disorders, fluency disorders, voice disorders and more. Speech and communication skills are a very important part in a child’s growth and in this article, we’ll discuss the causes, signs and treatment methods for these disorders.
What Are Speech Disorders?
Any condition which affects your child’s ability to make and produce sounds or communicate fluently are known as speech disorders, and if you leave these issues untreated, it will cause problems in communication and being understood by others. Some of the most common speech disorders are articulation disorders, fluency disorders, voice, resonance disorders and speech apraxia.
Articulation Disorders
Articulation disorders are issues with producing some specific sounds, and these involve omitting, distorting or substituting sounds. A few examples of these can be saying ‘wabbit’ instead of ‘rabbit’ which is an example of substituting sounds or saying ‘ca’ instead of ‘cat’ which is an example of omitting sounds. Articulation disorders could be caused by hearing loss, developmental delays or even neurological disorders.
Fluency Disorders
Fluency disorders deal with problems in the flow or the rhythm of a child’s speech. One of the most common fluency disorders found in children is stuttering, shown by repeating some sounds, syllables or prolonging words. Some examples of this type of disorder is ‘M-m-mommy’ which is an example of repetition of a sound or ‘Sssun’ which is an example of prolonging words. Some causes are genetics, neurological factors or emotional or psychological stress which can trigger or worsen the disorder. If the stuttering lasts more than 6 months and negatively affects the child’s self-esteem or communication, it is best to seek help early.
Voice Disorders
Children with voice disorders experience problems with the pitch, volume or quality of their voice, and they can sound hoarse, breathy or strained. Some examples of voice disorders are persistent hoarseness that is not caused by illness or a harsh or nasally voice. This disorder may be caused by overusing the vocal cords, structural abnormalities or nodules on the vocal cords all of which worsen the quality of the child’s voice. These difficulties can be treated by voice therapy and vocal rest. A medical evaluation by an ENT specialist is also an option to find the best method for treatment.
Speech Apraxia
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder in which the brain cannot properly coordinate the mouth movements needed for speech and communication. Some signs that your child has CAS are if the child has inconsistent errors in their speech, difficulty in imitating sounds, or they make groping movements with the jaw, lips or the tongue. A certified speech- language pathologist (SLP) is needed to diagnose this disorder and it is usually confirmed using detailed speech assessments. Early intervention in the form of intensive and frequent speech therapy followed by home practice to further reinforce the skills learned in therapy can massively help in the child’s development.
Resonance Disorders
These disorders happen when there’s an abnormal flow of air through the child’s nose or mouth when they speak and that results in a nasally sound which can cause difficulty with clear speech. There are a few common causes for this disorder some of which are a cleft palate, neurological conditions or the child may have enlarged tonsils or even adenoids and this disorder can be treated through surgery, speech therapy or some special appliances.
How Important is Early Intervention?
Early intervention is a very important part for successful treatment of these disorders because it significantly improves the outcomes for children with any of these speech disorders. It helps you identify and treat the speech problem earlier which increases the chances of long-term improvement of the child’s skills. It has many benefits like improved performance in school and academics, better social skills, and higher self-confidence, so it’s important for parents, teachers and caregivers to watch the child during their early developmental stages to identify issues and consult a speech language pathologist if concerns arise.
How Can Speech Therapy Help?
Speech therapy is a must for improving the child’s communication and dealing with speech problems and it’s given by speech language pathologists evaluate and treat the child’s speech disorder with customized sessions based on the child’s disorder and severity of the disorder. The sessions typically include articulation exercises, language development games, fluency shaping techniques and voice training and breath control to ensure that the child improves over time. The parent should seek help if the child cannot clearly speak by 3-4 years of age, avoids speaking due to frustration or has any difficulty in following simple directions.
Conclusion
Many children have speech disorders and it’s more common than parents realize. Most speech difficulties can be overcome with early intervention, proper diagnosis and personalized therapy, helping the child thrive and grow. If you have any concerns about your child’s speech, it’s best not to wait. Contact us to book a consultation today!
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