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.

3 Ways Plants Can Help in the Speech Therapy For Children

Just as your garden needs constant care and efforts to produce a bountiful bloom, your little one’s speech development also requires constant tending. Yes, you are reading it right! Plants can actually help in the speech and development of your children.

Whether or not your child is facing issues with speech, you need to start early for the perfect speech development. The therapists of speech therapy for kids in Dubai and elsewhere also suggest spending time with plants and incorporate horticulture therapy, to aim at the confident speech of your kid.

Well, are you confused? All this might seem like a new world to you. Think no further, and read this to get an overview –

What is horticulture therapy?

Horticulture therapy is a form of therapy that utilizes horticultural actions and plants to heal and rehabilitate children with educational, psychological, and social skills. Although it works the best when used with children, it can be used for people with different age groups.

Spending time outside is refreshing and seeing plants bloom and grow can make a person mentally healthy by lifting their spirits. Horticulture therapy benefits are mental, physical, and social.

How will it benefit your child?

Firstly, you can practice horticulture therapy even in your home, in your small gardens. Having said that, it is very convenient and easy and can be added as an activity in your daily routine.

Horticulture activities prove beneficial in engaging the children and improve their body, mind, and spirit. Children learn new skills, have fun, and develop the oh-so-essential confidence, by spending time in the outdoors. All things considered, it fosters good speech habits and helps in developing their language and speech.

But, how do you use this horticulture therapy? Well, here are four simple tips to use plants for the speech development of your kid –

1.       Vocabulary building

Gardening will help introduce your kid to new words. Additionally, it will help him remember these words by giving him a hands-on experience of the same actions. It is a good practice to make your little one recites the steps you are performing while doing the gardening activities. make sure that you help him out while he is actually performing these steps.

2.       Helps to sequence

As the previous point insisted on naming the steps as you performed them, this also fosters the values of sequencing and valuing each step while doing gardening. To give an illustration, children learn sequencing as they dig a hole, add mud, then the seed, and so on. Having said that, they learn what comes first and how does it proceed.

All in all, this fosters inquisitiveness inside them and encourages them to ask questions and indulge in a conversation.

3.       Fosters articulation

As mentioned earlier, gardening gives the children the power to question. Having said that, they form questions and sentences and look forward to engaging in conversations. This also builds up their self-confidence and social skills. Make sure that your little one shares his knowledge about gardening with his friends and family. This will make sure that you are motivating him enough to talk and shrug off his fears.

All things considered, plants and gardening help your children grow in all the verticals. They help in developing speech and language and keep your child happy!

Conclusion

So, what are you waiting for? Start this simple practice today and see the magical efforts. Give a green thumb and make the most of it!