In the evolution of the small child, one of the aspects that concern us is the development of the language. Whatever the child’s speech problems, they can be corrected with the help of a speech therapist.
First of all, it must be said that there is no need to worry if the little one still has some speech problems at the age of 3-4. Children go through different stages of development, which they do not go through at the same time – and it is normal for a stage of spectacular evolution to be followed or preceded by one of stagnation. When we call a specialist Usually, at the age of 4-5, children no longer have speech defects. And if they persist, however, this does not necessarily mean that they need speech therapy. To the question “at what age should we turn to a speech therapist?” there is no valid general answer. Experts say that speech therapy can be recommended from the age of 4. It is the age when the child has reached the end of the speech development phase and there is still enough time to resolve any disorders before he starts school. In exceptional cases, it can be started earlier, but not before the little one is 3 years old.
If you notice severe speech impairment or major differences in children of the same age, seek the advice of a pediatrician first. Based on his assessment, a speech therapist will be able to make a diagnosis and decide at what age a speech therapy will be useful for the child. In some cases, certain exercises and speech stimulation techniques (through books, songs, conversations, kindergarten, etc.) may be sufficient, while in others specialized therapy may be required.
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In the case of early signs that may indicate speech problems, it is recommended that a child be evaluated by a specialist. Here are these signs:
– absence (or cessation) of cramping around the seventh month of life;
– if he has passed the age of one and a half years and has not yet uttered a word;
– lack of ability to ask questions at the age of 3
– hearing loss or absence;
– a lack of reaction to verbal requests appropriate to his age;
– inability to control the movements of the mouth or face (for example, intense, uncontrolled salivation after the second year of life);
– a late evolution in all areas related to speech (for example, a vocabulary of fewer than 100 words at the age of 3 years or an obvious lack of intelligibility of speech or inability to formulate sentences composed of 2 words after the age of 2 years);
– stuttering and/or grammatical wording obviously incorrect in preschool age;
– when the preschooler repeatedly complains that he cannot utter certain words;
– if it is obvious that the little one does not want to talk – or that he avoids doing so.
Speech therapists are generally psychologists who specialize in language education and corrective therapy and counsel both children with speech problems and their parents. After making a preliminary assessment, determining the child’s problem, and making the diagnosis, the speech therapist will begin therapy sessions. Of course, assuming the little one was not diagnosed with a hearing impairment.
Speech therapy lasts a few weeks or, if necessary, a few months and proceeds in different ways, depending on the diagnosis. In the case of children, this is often done in the form of games, so that the little patients enjoy the sessions and perceive them as playful hours, in which they learn new things. essential for his adult life: to communicate clearly and correctly with others.
A study by the Speech Therapy Center in Iasi showed that, through therapy, 60% of dyslexic children (a disorder that affects the ability to read, write and sometimes speak) heal.
