Child’s Development of Speech and Language
As a Louisville parent, you probably can’t help constantly comparing your child’s development to others. This is especially common in regard to language development and language milestones.
If you think your child’s development of speech and language is slower than normal, your Louisville speech pathologist recommends comparing your impression of your child’s skills with what other family and friends think.
If you are still concerned after this discussion and your child is in the 18- to 30-month age range, consider these factors, which have been proven to indicate if a young child’s language and speech development may be delayed:
- Does your child understand language? This is called receptive language and usually precedes expression and use.
- Does your child use gestures? Children who use a greater number of gestures while communicating are more likely to catch up with peers.
- How many new words is your child adding to his vocabulary each month? Even though your child may appear to be slow in language development, he or she should still be adding new words frequently.
- How old is your child? Many studies have indicated the older the child is at the time of a language delay diagnosis, the less positive the outcome.
It is always important to remember that no two children are alike. Each child learns and develops at their own pace. Concerned parents should seek the counsel of their Louisville speech-language pathologist who will administer appropriate tests to determine the cause of the language delay and recommend appropriate treatment.
If the language delay is deemed serious, the Louisville speech-language pathologist may recommend a kindergarten or preschool early intervention program that will demonstrate language stimulation techniques for use in the home.