Facts You Need to Know About Speech Disorders Among Children

Lisps, stutters, and mispronounced words – we find these cute when a child says it. But should we really be amused?

Prestige Health Care Services, Inc. lists down some facts all parents and guardians should know about speech disorders among their children:

• Many children are affected by speech disorders.

  Speech disorders are common for children and there are a number of these disorders affecting the children worldwide. Common ones include:

  • Stuttering Stuttering is a speech disorder that is characterized by repeating or prolonging a word or group of words. Children may pronounce the first syllable of one word repetitively. There are also other cases where children prolong a syllable or speech sound. Either way, this condition disrupts one’s flow of speech thus affecting the patient’s socialization process.
  • Apraxia Apraxia is an oral-motor speech disorder. Children with this disorder find it hard to translate conscious speech plans to motor plans. This means that the child cannot verbally express what he or she intends to say.
  • Dysarthria
    Dysarthria is a speech condition distinguishable by an individual’s difficulty in controlling their speech muscles. This results in unclear verbalization of speech.
• Speech disorders may cause self-esteem issues and depression.

  Talking is one of the most common actions we engage in to communicate our thoughts and to socialize. However, people who have speech disorders feel awkward when engaging in speech. Because of their problem, they become withdrawn from the public.

  Some children can become consciously aware of their surroundings at the early age of two. Imagine a 2-year-old child refusing to talk because he or she is afraid to be made fun of by the people around him or her. Wouldn’t it develop self-esteem issues and eventually cause depression?

• There are many factors why a person has a speech disorder.

  Speech disorders affect many areas of the child’s body especially the structures within their throat. One disorder is distinct from one another. However, they may be caused by any of the following:

  • Brain damage
  • Muscle weakness
  • Respiratory weakness
  • Stroke
  • Vocal cord damage
  • Vocal cord paralysis
• Speech disorders can be treated.

  If your child is currently suffering from a speech disorder, you don’t have to panic. Some of these disorders simply go away as your child grows up. Others are treatable with speech therapy.

  There are various methods how to improve the patient’s speech. Some treatment includes controlled breathing and muscle-strengthening exercises. It all depends on what kind of disorder your child has.

Our speech-language pathologists who provide Home Health Care in Worcester, Massachusetts are experts who specialize in treating speech disorders. They provide in-home services and can be available on a part-time or intermittent basis, depending on the level of care your child needs.

Do you need speech therapy for your child? Do you know someone who might benefit from speech therapy? Share this blog with them now!