The good news is that there are many resources available to help you and your child. The five steps below will provide a general overview of what you can do to get started. 

What Parents Need to Know About Childhood Speech Disorders 

There are many different types of speech disorders that can affect children. Some are more common than others, but all can cause difficulty with communication. 

Some signs that your child may have a speech disorder include: difficulty pronouncing words correctly, replacing one sound for another, trouble being understood by others, and imprecise/slushy speech. 

If you suspect that your child has a speech disorder, it’s important to get them evaluated as soon as possible. Many delays in speech and language can be corrected with early intervention, and most speech disorders are eligible for special education services. 

Parents play a crucial role in monitoring their child’s speech and language development. You should be familiar with the milestones for your child’s age group and report any concerns to your child’s doctor or therapist. 

When to Seek Professional Help for Speech Development Issues 

If you’re ever concerned about your child’s speech development, the best time to seek professional help is as early as possible. That’s because speech and language delays can often be corrected if caught and treated early on. 

Most children will develop their speech and language skills within a specific age range, but there are always exceptions. If you feel like your child is not hitting those developmental milestones within that timeframe, it’s a good idea to get them checked out. 

The earlier you get help, the more successful treatment will likely be. 

How a Paediatric Speech Pathologist Can Help 

Speech Pathologists have undergone extensive training in diagnosing and treating speech disorders in children. They can provide you with a range of resources and techniques to help your child improve their communication skills. 

A paediatric speech pathologist can work with your child on a one-on-one basis, or in a group setting. They can also provide home exercises and recommendations to help you support your child’s progress. 

Targeting speech sounds at home 

Begin by consulting with your speech pathologist about the specific sounds your child is working on targeting. The sounds that they are working on will be chosen based on your child’s stimuability, the age-appropriateness of that sound development, and the impact on intelligibility. 

Your speech pathologist will then give you an idea of how to manipulate your oral motor structures to produce those sounds. Once you as the parent have an understanding of how to produce the sounds, it will be much easier for you to teach your child. 

You may then work towards getting your child to move their mouth in the same way that you do to elicit that sound. Use supports such as a mirror so that your child can see their lips and tongue move to match yours. 

Once your child is able to make the sound on it’s own, practice it over and over! Speech sound work is based upon building motor plans so that producing sounds correctly becomes second nature. 

You may then begin to put those sounds into words for practising.  

Kids learn best when they’re engaged and having fun, so it’s important to make home practise enjoyable! 

Conclusion 

If you’re a parent with a child who’s dealing with a speech disorder, know that you’re not alone. There are plenty of resources and support available to you, and with the help of a speech therapist, you can help your child overcome their disorder and start speaking fluently. Just follow these five simple steps: 

1. Educate yourself about speech disorders and the treatments available.
2. Find a speech therapist who can work with your child.
3. Make time for therapy and be patient while your child is working on their speech.
4. Practise the techniques your therapist has given you at home.
5. Stay positive and don’t give up on your child. They can and will overcome their speech disorder with your help.

The post 5 Steps for Parents to Tackle Children’s Speech Disorders With the Right Support first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.