As a parent, you look forward to milestones like your child’s first words. But if those never come or you think there might be something amiss with your child’s speech, we’re here to help.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one in five children will experience a speech delay. At Spartanburg-Greer ENT & Allergy, we can provide treatment and support for your family.
What Is a Speech Delay?
A speech delay is a communication disorder in which young children do not meet developmental milestones related to speaking.
What Are the Signs of a Speech Delay?
If your child is exhibiting any of the following, they might have a speech delay:
- At 18 months, they prefer gestures over vocalization or have difficulty understanding simple verbal requests.
- At two years, they have trouble following simple directions, have a raspy sounding voice, have difficulty verbalizing their needs or are not speaking at all.
- At three years, they cannot put short sentences together.
It’s Important To Seek Treatment for Your Child’s Speech Delay
If left untreated, a speech delay can cause difficulties in communicating with others and academic struggles in the classroom. Early diagnosis and treatment will lessen the impacts of this condition, and your child will likely be talking and learning alongside their peers.
What Factors Lead To Speech Delays?
- Family history
- Hearing loss
- Oral anatomy, or problems with the tongue or soft palate
- Dysarthria, which is a disorder involving the muscles that control speech
- Exposure to multiple languages
- Neurological disorders such as autism, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy
- Learning disabilities
- Auditory processing disorders
- Premature birth
- Environmental deprivation
How Is a Speech Delay Diagnosed?
Our provider will begin by discussing your child’s symptoms with you, followed by taking a medical history and completing a physical exam. Vision and hearing tests will also likely be performed. Additionally, there are several tests used to assess language development in young children. Throughout the diagnostic process, our audiologist will ensure that you understand your child’s condition and empower you with information and exercises to support them.
What Treatments Are Available for Speech Delays?
Our practitioner will work with you to determine what treatment plan will work best for your child. Depending on the cause of the delay, options might include:
- Speech therapy
- Mental health counseling
- Hearing aids
- Auditory training
We’re In This Together
As a parent, you always want the best for your child, and it can be stressful to think that they might have a speech delay. At Spartanburg-Greer ENT & Allergy, we’re here to partner with you as you help your child communicate with others. Our team will develop the best treatment plan for them and answer any questions you have.
Call Spartanburg-Greer ENT & Allergy for more information or to schedule an appointment.