Facts to Know Before You Consult a Speech Language Therapist for Kids

As parents, it is quite common to get worried when your child is not able to reach the certain milestones by a certain age. This can be in terms of speaking single words by the time they are over 12 months old to not being able to string words together by the age of 2-3 years. Sometimes, the older children also have difficulties in speaking fluently, responding with their peers or elders, initiating a conversation and so on and so forth. These signs in speech delay can be solved with the help of a speech language therapist.

Essential Facts About Speech Therapy for Kids

Let us take a look at some of the most essential facts that will give you a better perspective before you settle for speech therapy for kids in Dubai.

• Multiple Language May Make It More Difficult – In countries where kids are exposed to multiple languages, the ones who are having some specific language and learning difficulties will find it more difficult to grasp things and this is what may widen the gap between them and their counterparts. A speech language therapist can effectively reduce this gap.

• Every Child is Different – The next fact that you need to remember is that every child is different and that there is a great deal of variation in what is normal and what is not. Even then, if you find that there is a lack of usual babbling, uttering of words that are less and almost no eye contact when the kid is 18 months. The same holds true if you find that at two years they are using almost less than 10 words or are unable to follow the simplest of instructions when they are nearing three.

• Know the Signs of Speech Struggle – If you are unsure about what the signs of speech struggle look like, take a look at this checklist:

o   Is he/she responding to her own name? Or is taking time to do so?

o   Is he/she not making any eye contact while speaking?

o   Is he/she not taking any initiative while playing to other kids or in a group?

o   Is he/she finding it difficult to follow certain instructions and respond to certain questions?

o   Is he/she not developing any expressive language (by limited use of single words)?

o   Is he/she taking too much time to use sentences instead of linked words?

Calling it a Day

These are some of the things that you need to know before you take your kid to a speech therapist for treatment. Along with it, you can also try and make efforts from your end, such as reading to them and reading with them. There are many interactive books on the market, which will serve your need. And yes, remember to be patient with them always.

How To Foster Good Speech Habits In Your Baby?

Nothing compares to the sweet sound of your baby’s voice, right? Well, every one of us remembers all those first-times when our little one utters all those sweet words. All this babbling and talking reveal what the child is thinking and his overall development.

When it comes to speech development, each child is different and progresses in different patterns. Thus, you need to pay careful attention to your bub’s daily growth and ensure that you inculcate good speech habits right from the start.

Delayed speech, learning disorders, and other developmental issues can be signs of major concern. For the very same reason, there is an option of speech therapy in Dubai and elsewhere. However, you can start early and avoid this scenario. Just by adding a few simple tips to your daily regimen, you can foster perfect speech habits in your baby.

Here is a rundown of some simple tips to foster good speech habits –

1    1. Have your baby’s hearing checked-

Even if your child has got a clean slate, you need to get his hearing checked as soon as possible.

A late talker could also have different auditory problems and so you need to be sure that you visit a pediatrician to check the hearing of your bub. Thus, it is a good practice to keep talking and calling out to your child so that you check his responses.

2    2. Keep a close attention on your baby’s gestures and play style-

When your little one reaches a certain age, he or she should be able to communicate verbally or at least with actions. If the signs of nonverbal communication or difficulty in the articulation of thoughts are shown, then you need to consult a speech therapist.

Make sure to observe all the cues of his speech development and learning while he is busy playing or doing something that he is fond of. If you experience that he is doing well at learning, this states long-term effects on good speech.

3    3. Consider talking to him-

Children learn through imitation and so you need to be on your toes while you foster some good speech habits. Having said that, you need to talk directly to your child to ensure that he learns the language as soon as possible. Naming him of colors, shapes, and singing nursery rhymes and small poems to him will do you good!

It is also a good practice to let your child imitate your small actions like clapping of hands or playing peekaboo. Notably, you can use baby sign language so that it becomes easy for him to comprehend and execute the same.

4    4. Consider an early intervention program- 

You don’t want your child to lag behind and develop serious issues of development. Thus, you need to plan ahead of time and start early with observing and making your child learn all the good habits that it takes.

It is a good practice to seek some professional help so as to boost his learning process and ace the game. Having said that, make sure that you consult a credible speech therapist or counselor to help you out in these matters.

Following these simple tips will do you good and you will be able to foster a good speech development in your little one!

Conclusion-

Inculcating good habits in your child right from the very beginning can be very rewarding for the parents. Hence, make sure to start at the right time and aim at the perfect speech of your baby dearest!