Each year, May is recognized as National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, formerly known as Better Speech and Hearing Month initiated in 1972. This observance month provides an opportunity to raise awareness and education regarding communication disorders, sometimes referred to as speech-language disorders. This month, I want to encourage families to learn more about the signs of a communication disorders in children, communication milestones, and how to seek assistance if needed.
Did you know?
- Communication disorders are among the most common conditions in adult and children.
- According to a recent poll in 2023, there has been a rise in the number of children referred for speech-language evaluations since the onset of the COVID pandemic.
- 11% of children 3-6 years of age experience a voice, speech, language, or swallowing disorder. However, many families do not know early signs to look for which can delay treatment.
- More than 1 million children nationwide receive treatment services for speech and language disorders through schools each year.
What is a Communication Disorder?
A communication disorder is an impairment in understanding or using spoken or written language. For example, a child may have difficulty understanding words or directions or struggle to name items or put words together in a sentence. Further more, a child may produce sounds incorrectly, struggle to speak, or not speak at all. Here are a few common communication disorders in children:
Speech-Sound Disorders: when a child has difficulty producing speech sounds clearly past a certain age. He/she may produce sounds incorrectly or be very difficult to understand.
Language Disorders: when child has difficulty understanding or using spoken language. For instance, he/she may struggle to understand words or directions (receptive language disorder) or have difficulty naming items, using a variety of words, or putting words together in a sentence (expressive language disorder).
Fluency Disorders: A fluency disorder, also known as stuttering, is when child has difficulty producing speech in a smooth manner. In particular, he/she may repeat sounds or words, prolong sounds ‘sssssssummer is my favorite’, or appear to get “stuck” on sounds or words (known as “blocking”).
You can read more information regarding communication disorders here –> Definitions of Communication Disorders.
What are the Signs of a Communication Disorder?
It is important to know the signs of a communication disorder in young children because seeking help right away or “early intervention” can help your child’s development and schooling. Here are some warning signs you can watch for in young children:
- Does not smile or interact with others (birth and older)
- Does not babble or string sounds together ‘bababa’ (4-6 months)
- Makes only a few sounds or gestures, like reaching (7-9 months)
- Does not understand what others say (10 months-2 years)
- Does not put words together to make sentences (1 1/2 years-3 years)
- Speaks using words that are not easily understood by others (3-4 years)
- Has trouble with early reading skills, like finding the front of a book or pretending to read (4-5 years).
*This list of warning signs is provided by the American Speech-Language Association (ASHA).
If you or would like to learn more about the signs of a communication disorder, check out this website –> Identify the Signs.
Communication Milestones in Children
Communication milestones are skills (e.g. smiling or waving) that children are expected to develop, on average, by a certain age range. These milestones help families and caregivers know what to expect as a child grows and develops and when to seek help if needed. You can find a comprehensive list of developmental milestones from birth – 5 years of age on ASHA’s website –> Communication Milestones in Children.
How to Seek Help for Your Child
If you have concerns about your child’s speech-language development, do not hesitate to share your concerns with your pediatrician. Additionally, you can reach out to a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) and other health professionals through Early On. Early on is Michigan’s system for helping infants and toddlers, birth to three, who have developmental delays or are at risk for delays due to certain health conditions. Early intervention is extremely important in young children and has been shown to impact their development and schooling later on.
For children birth – 3 years of age,
- Contact Early On Michigan: Log on to the Early On Michigan and fill out an Early On referral form here –> Early On MI.
- ASHA Pro Find: Find an SLP near you here –> ASHA Pro Find.
For preschool – school aged children,
- Contact your public school system: Contact your school district’s Special Education Director to express your concerns regarding your child’s development. You can typically find the email and phone number of your Special Education Director on your school districts website.
- Contact a local private practice: You can search for local speech-language pathologists who work in a private practice setting to seek assistance. Here are a few private practice locations in the greater Lansing Area:
- Connections Speech Therapy – Lansing, MI
- Children’s Therapy Corner – Okemos, MI
- Mosaic Speech Therapy – Okemos, MI
If you have any questions, please free to contact me and I can help direct you to a speech-language pathologist in your area. Every child deserves to receive the help they need.
