Speech and language disorders are a problem that effects between five to ten percent of children in Sydney. Yet this issue widely goes undiagnosed and untreated. When a speech and language problem goes untreated, the disorder can cause major problems for the child down the road. The child could experience trouble with expression, building relationships, or learning to read. An undiagnosed speech disorder can make the academic process much more difficult, and could possibly lead to drop out.
A speech language disorder does not mean that a child cannot have a completely normal and bright academic future. If the problem is identified and treated at an early stage, and speech therapy treatments are utilized, the child can progress, read, write, and speak as any other child does. These problems are easier to address when the child is still very young. It is increasingly difficult to correct a speech language disorder as the child gets older, and it is much more difficult to correct the problem in an adult.
Children speech therapy helps improve communication for kids
A speech language disorder is a condition that impairs a person’s ability to communicate. This can mean trouble comprehending sounds and the meaning of words, verbalizing sounds, or understanding the structure of speech.
Children learn language and progress at a fairly rapid pace; if you notice a problem that is not improving, the child may need the help of a speech pathologist to improve development. If the child is struggling to verbalize certain sounds, grasping for words, repeating words, or using incorrect sounds, they could be at risk for a speech disorder.
An undiagnosed speech disorder can lead to a child that shies away from communicating, and therefore does not develop valuable social skills or get a full education. These developmental problems are best addressed as early as possible.
Communication with a child can often be very difficult or frustrating. It may seem like they do not understand you, they are not listening, or they are constantly arguing with you. If you feel this way, you must learn to understand that communication for kids is different than it is for adults. You have to remember that you are speaking with a child who does not have the same set of language skills as adults. Fortunately, there are a few communication techniques that you can employ to reach children effectively.
Listen Carefully and Gain Perspective
When speaking with a child, take the time to listen, and let them know that you are listening. You can do this by repeating and acknowledging the thoughts and feelings that they express, and asking questions that will allow the child to open up and give you more details.
When trying to understand communication for kids, you need to be able to put yourself in the shoes of the child. Try to see the situation from the child’s perspective before you make a snap judgment. If you need to tell a child “no”, explain your thought process behind the decision so that the child can understand why you are saying “no”. This will give the child practise when it comes to respecting others’ opinions.
Encourage All Forms of Expression
Encourage the child to express his or her feelings whether they are negative or positive. When they share, explain to them how that expression makes you feel. For example, “It makes me sad when you become angry with your sister.” The more you tell your honest feelings to the child, the more likely they will be to feel comfortable expressing theirs.
Lastly, have fun when communicating with children. Communication for kids is a way for children to learn how to socialize and interact with others. The communication does not always have to be serious; if you joke, play, and share fun stories as you talk with children, they will want to communicate more openly with you.
If you have questions or concerns about children speech therapy contact your local doctor, who will arrange for you to see a speech pathologist. We‘ll provide you with a straightforward, efficient and very effective treatment plan targeted to your concerns.
