Diary: My 2-Year-Old Has Not Started Speaking Yet ✓ Solved
Diary: My 2-year-old has not begun speaking yet
Monday 16th November 2020
Dear Diary, Today as I sat on the porch, Mason, my 2-year-old, came to me crying. I tried asking him what the matter was, but he refused to speak. He just pointed at an orange fruit that had fallen on the ground, then he pointed at his head. I concluded that the orange fruit hit his head before falling to the ground. Today's incident reminds me of one day when he was afraid of a moth flying next to him.
Mason almost fell running towards me screaming. I thought a dog was chasing him, but on asking, he just pointed at a moth that landed near the window; he did not speak. Mason does not speak while requesting something; he uses signs instead. I have just realized, if I do not address this issue, his inability to speak may end up having a language disorder in the future.
According to research, the causes of delayed speech in children include hearing challenges that result in speech disorder. Such conditions may result from a cleft palate where a hole develops in the room of the child's mouth (Mohammed, Ahmed, & Ramadan, 2020). Cleft palate is a congenital disability that interferes with the airflow as it moves through the child's nose, mouth, and throat, causing speech disorder. The cleft palate solution is consulting with the doctor for a perfect way of eliminating the defect early.
The other cause of delayed speech in children includes expressive-receptive disorder that makes it hard for a child to understand and produce language. An expressive language disorder is the child's inability to recover the exact words and make the right sentences (Mohammed, Ahmed, & Ramadan, 2020). A child with expressive language problems may behave the same way as my child, who cannot produce sound and instead uses signs while speaking. Receptive language illness is the incapability of a child to produce and understand language. The expressive-receptive disorder makes it almost impossible for a child to talk; it may cause delayed speech in the child.
To solve the delayed speech challenge in Mason, I have organized to meet a speech therapist today in the evening. The specialist will help me identify and understand the problem. The speech therapist will advise me on the methods to use to solve the challenge. After the consultation, I believe that Mason will start understanding and pronouncing words over time. Let me prepare to meet the doctor in time.
Paper For Above Instructions
Understanding Delayed Speech in Children
Delayed speech in children is a pressing issue that can lead to significant challenges in communication and social interaction. When children, especially around the age of two like Mason, do not verbalize words, it raises concerns among parents and caregivers about potential developmental issues. This paper will discuss various causes of delayed speech, the importance of early intervention, and the strategies that can be used to facilitate language development in children.
Causes of Delayed Speech
One of the primary causes of delayed speech is hearing impairment. Children who cannot hear well may have trouble learning to speak. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA, 2021), hearing loss can significantly impact speech and language acquisition. Furthermore, physical conditions like cleft palate can impede speech development (Mohammed, Ahmed, & Ramadan, 2020). This congenital condition affects the formation of the mouth and may require surgical intervention to correct.
Another cause is expressive-receptive language disorder, which affects a child's ability to formulate words and understand language (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2021). Mason's behavior, where he uses gestures instead of words, indicates such disorder. As speech strategies and therapies are deployed, it is essential to engage his understanding through interactive play and communication.
Importance of Early Intervention
Intervening early in cases of delayed speech is critical for a child's verbal and communicative success. Research indicates that children who receive early therapy often have better outcomes than those who start therapy at an older age (Glogowska et al., 2000). Speech therapy can be tailored to individual needs, utilizing various techniques that stimulate language acquisition, such as play-based therapies that make learning engaging and enjoyable for the child.
Moreover, parental involvement is paramount in this process. Parents who actively participate in speech therapy sessions can reinforce the strategies learned at home, creating a supportive learning environment. According to a study conducted by Giannakopoulos et al. (2017), children whose parents were engaged in their speech therapy sessions showed significant improvements in their communication abilities.
Speech Therapy Strategies
Once Mason meets with a speech therapist, various strategies will likely be recommended. Incremental approaches, such as repetition of sounds and words, storytelling, and joint attention techniques are effective in helping children like Mason develop language skills (Hoff, 2014). The therapist may also introduce visual aids and interactive games that encourage Mason to vocalize his thoughts rather than resorting to pointing or gesturing, thereby enhancing his expressive language capabilities.
The Role of Diagnostic Evaluation
Diagnostic evaluations from speech therapists are essential to identifying the specific types of language disorders. These assessments help understand whether the child struggles primarily with receptive or expressive language. Based on these findings, tailored intervention plans can be developed, ensuring a targeted approach to improving Mason’s condition (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2021).
Conclusion
Through understanding the potential causes of delayed speech, like Mason's situation, early intervention becomes crucial. Waiting too long to address these concerns can lead to complications that affect not only speech but overall social and emotional development. Engaging a speech therapist and following structured therapies will significantly enhance Mason's ability to communicate effectively. Therefore, it is essential for parents to advocate for their children’s linguistic needs by seeking support as early as possible.
References
- Mohammed, H., Ahmed, R., & Ramadan, J. (2020). Delayed Speech in Children.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2021). Delayed Speech and Language Development.
- Glogowska, M., Roulstone, S., & Peters, T. (2000). The Role of Early Intervention in Addressing Language Delays.
- Giannakopoulos, M. M., et al. (2017). Parent Involvement in Speech Therapy: Impact on Kid's Progress.
- Hoff, E. (2014). Language Development (5th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning.