Regardless of how much your child may love to talk, there are times when he or she may have some speech issues. These problems can include dyslexia, apraxia of speech, selective mutism, and traumatic brain injury. In some cases, your child may need to take speech therapy to learn how to speak more clearly and correctly.
Stuttering
Seeing your child stutter can be frustrating. But don’t worry, there are ways to help your child learn to speak with ease.
In the United States, local school districts are required by federal law to offer speech therapy. Children with stuttering need speech therapy to learn how to speak with less stress and more ease.
A speech-language pathologist in the area can evaluate your child’s speech and determine if he or she is a candidate for therapy. The amount of therapy your child will need will vary. A speech-language pathologist will also help you learn how to help your child.
A speech-language pathologist can also help you understand what stuttering is, how to recognize a stutter, and what steps you should take to help your child. Your child may be more motivated to learn to speak when you are calm and patient.
Apraxia of speech
CAS or Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder that affects children’s ability to produce, understand, and use language. It can cause children to say words in a confusing manner or to get stuck on phrases. It may also result in difficulty moving their lips and tongues.
The condition is caused by a malfunction of the brain. It affects the ability of the brain to program movements and to plan speech movements. When the brain is not able to program or plan speech movements, the muscles that control speech movements do not work properly.
Childhood Apraxia of Speech is not a disorder that children outgrow. It may take a child years to recover from the disorder. Fortunately, there are some therapy options that can help children recover, such as pediatric physical therapy.
Selective mutism
Identifying if your child needs speech therapy for selective mutism is important. This is because the condition can negatively affect social situations.
A speech therapist will help your child develop communication skills. This can include teaching the child to use words and asking questions. It can also help the child feel better about how they sound. A therapist can also work with your child’s family.
If your child has been diagnosed with selective mutism, you may have noticed that he or she has not spoken much for a period of time. This can be frustrating for you and your child. However, if you notice that your child has not spoken for a period of three months or more, you should seek professional help from physical therapy experts.
Dyslexia
Identifying if your child needs speech therapy for dyslexia can be difficult. There are several factors that affect your child’s ability to read, write, and speak. These include birth conditions, early learning experiences, and medical conditions. However, the right diagnosis can lead to the right intervention to close the gaps between a struggling reader and their peers.
PT 360°’s first step in identifying if your child needs speech therapy for dyslexia is to listen to your child. The signs of dyslexia are subtle, so it’s important to pay attention to your child’s development. When you notice a pattern, take note of it and talk to your child’s teacher.
The following are some signs of dyslexia that may be obvious to you: your child’s reading and writing skills may be below their age level, he or she may avoid reading out loud, or they may have trouble remembering vocabulary words.
Traumatic brain injury
Symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can vary widely from child to child. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, TBI can be temporary or permanent. Symptoms include memory and cognition issues, as well as physical problems such as headaches, seizures, and loss of balance.
Communication issues are common for children with TBI. These problems include speech and language problems such as problems with speech sounds and producing the correct words. This can be especially difficult for younger children.
Speech therapy for children with TBI can be necessary to address this issue. During speech therapy, the therapist works to increase oral motor muscle strength and improve breath support. He or she also teaches patients about the use of speech aids such as a calendar and documented schedule.
If you believe your child may need speech therapy, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment with our team of specialists.