Should I wait to start Speech Therapy?
A child’s brain develops at a profound rate during the foundational years. Hence, time is of the essence when it comes to intervention.
Early detection and intervention provide the potential to rewire the child’s brain to make positive changes and maximise outcome.
Parents should get their children assessed by a Speech and Language Therapist as soon as they suspect that their children are not hitting the mark, as early detection can help prevent or reduce some of the problems associated with speech and language delay.
Some of the potential problems that may emerge from speech and language delay:
- Difficulties with social interaction in school
- Delay in reading and literacy (as reading requires knowledge of speech sounds)
- Inferior complex, low self-esteem and confidence, leading to behavioural issues
- Sometimes, speech and language delay could be signs of other developmental disorders. It is, therefore, crucial to detect early and provide the necessary intervention as soon as possible.
- To be on the safe side, when in doubt, parents should consult a Speech and Language Therapist for peace of mind. There is no harm in helping children who may grow out of it, but there are detrimental risks in waiting for a child who may not.
How can speech and language therapy help your child?
Speech and language therapy can help in the following areas:
- Receptive language (i.e. understanding what you say or questions you ask)
- Expressive language (i.e. verbally communicating their wants and needs)
- Pronunciation and articulation of sounds, letters and words