Better Hearing and Speech Month is hosted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) each May. In this blog, we will discuss the most common speech and language disorders in children and identify the signs of language disorders, speech sound disorders, stuttering (disfluency), and voice disorders. You can find Better Hearing & Speech Month ideas & activities in this related blog post!
An estimated 40 million Americans have trouble speaking or hearing due to a communication disorder. Millions more family members and friends are also impacted. All across the country, there are parents reading this whose children are struggling to speak or understand language; spouses living with partners whose hearing is deteriorating; and co-workers, neighbors and others who see someone who needs help but don’t know what to do.
With years of experience working in the field of communication disorders, we have seen the debilitating effects that these issues can have when left unaddressed. Too often, people wrestle with these challenges for years because they fail to receive proper, timely treatment. Early detection of speech, language, and hearing issues is absolutely critical to improving academic, social, and career outcomes—and improving one’s quality of life at any age.
The early stages of communication disorders are easier to spot when you know the signs. Here is a list of signs of common speech and language disorders in children from birth to 4 years of age:
For people with communication disorders, those closest to them are often their biggest asset. Unfortunately, many parents and caregivers are unable to identify the warning signs or dismiss them too readily. A recent poll of speech-language pathologists and audiologists by ASHA reported significant parental delays in getting help for children with communication difficulties. This is just one example of the missed opportunities that commonly occur with communication disorders.
Untreated communication disorders often lead to larger academic, social, and developmental issues. Early diagnosis is important because early intervention is the most powerful way to reduce or even reverse the impact and can give your loved ones the opportunity to lead the fullest lives possible. If you suspect that you or a loved one shows signs of having a speech and language disorder, we encourage you to seek help.
At NAPA Center, we provide intensive and traditional speech therapy programs tailored to fit your child’s specific needs. NAPA offers speech therapy to children of all ages to address delays and disorders in expressive/receptive language, articulation, oral motor dysfunction, apraxia of speech, social language, fluency, feeding and swallowing, and cognitive skills. If your child needs our services, we will work closely with you to select the best therapies for them, creating a customized program specific to your child’s needs and your family’s goals. Let your child’s journey begin today by contacting us to learn more.
