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(ROCKVILLE, MD-August 17, 2004) "That's just 'baby talk,' I'm sure my child will outgrow it." "Everyone in our family was a late talker. My child will talk when the time is right." Have you had these thoughts?
Although some children will develop normal speech and language skills without treatment by the time they enter school, says the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), it is important to identify those who will not.
Usually, there is concern about a child's speech and language skills if there is no speech by the age of one year, if speech is not clear, or if speech or language is different from that of other children of the same age, according to ASHA, the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 115,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists.
"Speech and language delays and disorders can have a significant effect on personal, social, academic, or vocational life, says ASHA President, Larry Higdon, M.S., an ASHA-certified audiologist (CCC-A). "The earlier problems are identified, the greater the chances for improving communication skills."
Although the cause is often unknown, certain factors put children at high risk for speech-language delays, such as preterm birth, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and hearing loss. These children should be evaluated early and at regular intervals.
Consider these facts:
- One out of every 5 of our nation's school-age children suffer from reading failures.
- A majority of all poor readers have an early history of spoken-language deficits.
- A child who is not a fluent reader by 4th grade is likely to struggle with reading into adulthood.
- It is estimated that 5 percent of children 18 years and under have a hearing loss.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers free materials to help parents and caregivers who may have concerns, including the following brochures:
- How Does Your Child Hear and Talk shows in chart form speech, language, and hearing milestones for children birth to age five years to determine if professional help should be sought. This brochure is also available in Spanish.
- Child Language provides information specifically on children's language development, delayed language, and how to get help.
- Speech Sound Disorders provides information on the development of speech sounds, types, and causes of speech problems.
- Getting Ready for Reading and Writing highlights common speech and language milestones that form the foundation for literacy. This brochure also suggests
activities for helping young children develop and strengthen communication, reading, and writing skills from birth through age five years.
- Literacy and Communication: Expectations from Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade highlights common speech and language skills, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing as they develop from kindergarten through fifth grade.
- Bilingualism explains how speech, language, and hearing developmental milestones are unique for children learning two languages. In addition to ASHA's Spanish language brochure How Does Your Child Hear and Talk? (¿Qué tal habla y oye su niño?), ASHA's brochure, Learning Two Languages (El niño y el bilingüismo), addresses language development and literacy for children learning two languages.
The above free brochures are available by calling ASHA's Action Center at 1-800-638-8255 (Spanish-speaking operators available) or by email at actioncenter@asha.org. Consumers can also find information on ASHA's Web site.
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