Everyone’s child is perfect in their eyes. While it is hard to look past this, when it comes to meeting speech, language or hearing milestones you are going to have to. If your child is in the Louisville area and under the age of three, there are some important questions to ask.
- Does your child seem to not listen?
- Has your child started to say any words?
- Does your child cry or have a lot of tantrums?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then your child may be showing the early signs of a speech, language or hearing disorder. If you are concerned, contact your local Louisville preschool or kindergarten program, depending on your child’s age.
In addition to the questions above, below is a list of common signs to identify a language, speech or hearing disorder.
Signs of a language disorder:
- Does not smile or interact with others (birth–3 months)
- Doesn’t babble (4–7 months)
- Makes only a few sounds (7–12 months)
- Doesn’t use gestures (7–12 months)
- Does not seem to understand what others say (7 months–2 years)
- Only says a few words (12–18 months)
- Does not put words together to make sentences (1½–2 years)
- Has vocabulary of less than 50 words (2 years)
- Has trouble playing and interacting with other children (2–3 years)
- Has problems with early reading and writing skills (2½–3 years)
After complete communications testing in Louisville you will be instructed to talk, read and play with your child. Talking about what you and your child are doing as well as using longer sentences as they get older can also help.
Signs of a speech disorder:
- Says p, b, m, h, and w incorrectly (1–2 years)
- Says k, g, f, t, d, and n incorrectly (2–3 years)
- Produces speech that is unclear, even to familiar people (2–3 years)
- Struggles to say sounds or words (2½–3 years)
- Repeats first sounds of words (2½–3 years)
- Pauses a lot while talking (2½–3 years)
- Stretches sounds out (2½–3 years)
- Uses a hoarse or breathy voice
- Uses a nasally-sounding voice
If your child is suffering from a speech sound disorder, stuttering or a voice disorder, early intervention is key. Your therapist will advise you to say the sounds correctly while you talk and not interrupt your child while they are trying to speak. If your child is suffering from hoarseness or a nasally-sounding voice they should see a doctor immediately.
Signs of hearing loss:
- Shows lack of attention to sounds (birth–1 year)
- Doesn’t respond when you call their name (7 months–1 year)
- Doesn’t follow simple directions (1–2 years)
- Shows delays in speech and language development (birth–3 years)
If you think your child may be suffering from hearing loss, now is the time to act. Visit your local Lousiville audiologist to have your child’s hearing tested.
Don’t wait to address any of these childhood ailments. If you think your child is having a speech, language or hearing issue contact the experts at Heuser Hearing at (502) 584-3573.