PEDIATRIC SPEECH-LANGUAGE-VOICE DISORDERS

Ten percent of children entering first grade have moderate to severe speech delays or disorders, including missing and substituted speech sounds and stuttering.  Approximately 8% to 12% of preschool children have some form of language impairment (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, N.D.). 

HOW CAN A SPEECH THERAPIST HELP YOUR CHILD?

Speech-language pathologists help children with speech-language-voice disorders and help develop their communication abilities.  Speech-language delays and disorders range from simple sound substitutions while speaking to the inability to understand or use language.  Some causes of speech and language disorders include frequent ear infections, hearing loss, neurological disorders, brain injury, mental retardation, drug abuse, physical impairments such as cleft lip or palate, and vocal abuse or misuse.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT?

A Speech-language screening may be helpful for your child. Screenings are performed in order to ascertain if a communication problem exists and to answer questions regarding speech/ language/hearing concerns. A Screening is a "quick measure" to determine if there is a communication, fine motor, or sensory integration problem which needs further evaluation, or if skills are "within the normal range" for a person's age. A screening is typically recommended when a parent/teacher suspects a problem, but is unsure if it is serious enough to warrant testing and therapy. Screenings are also useful for identifying young children with delays at an early age.

If you are a parent or teacher and are concerned about your child's/student's speech-language development or voice quality, your child should see a speech-language pathologist for a professional evaluation. The speech-language pathologist at Premiere Rehab, LLC may administer tests of receptive and expressive language, analyze utterances in various situations, determine factors that may be slowing down language development, and/or educate parents regarding ways they can support their child's speech-language development or improve their child's vocal quality.  The speech-language pathologist may give suggestions on stimulating language development, ask that the parent and child return if parental concern continues, or schedule a re-evaluation.

In more severe cases, recommendations may include individual speech-language therapy through our Outpatient facility or for the parent and child to become involved in an early intervention program. Early intervention programs typically consist of demonstrations of language stimulation techniques for home use and more frequent monitoring of the child's progress. This is a consultation/screening and is NOT designed to replace a formal language evaluation.