Understanding Language Delay
As Healthcare Professionals you understand that for some children, learning to communicate does not come easily. About one in 10 children has a language delay. Language delays are three to four times more common in boys than in girls.
A child's communication is considered delayed when s/he is noticeably behind his or her peers in the development of speech and/or language skills. Sometimes the child’s ability to understand what is said (receptive language) is better than her/his ability to express her/himself (expressive language), but this is not always the case.
Sometimes the reason for the delay is obvious. The child may have cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism or other diagnosed conditions. At other times, the reason for the delay is less clear and there maybe no apparent reason for the delay.
Language delays and disorders may include one or more of the following:
- Delayed development of nonverbal communication, such as pointing and other gestures
- Delayed use of words or absence of words
- Difficulty understanding what is said, following directions
- Immature or inappropriate grammatical patterns
- Difficulty expressing ideas
- Limited vocabulary development
- Incorrect use of words and their meanings
- Inappropriate social interaction
Early Intervention is the Key
Regardless of the cause or severity of the delay, early intervention is critical! Recent studies have shown that the best time to intervene when a child’s language is delayed is before s/he turns three!
Age appropriate language skills are crucial to a child’s success at school and to his relationships with other children. Language delays and disorders can interfere with the child’s ability to learn to read, write and spell, as well as make it more difficult to interact with other children and make friends.
Often parents are advised to wait or are reassured that the child will talk when s/he is “ready”. Such advice may prevent parents from seeking help at the time when the child can derive the most benefit from intervention. The earlier parents and other caregivers can be provided with training and support so they know how to promote their child’s communication and language development, the more the child will benefit.
As a professional who works with young children and their families, you can ensure that children are referred for speech and language services early and that their parents are provided with the tools they need to help their child.
Developmental Milestones for Communication and Language Development
"Warning signs" of a possible language delay can be detected even in infants and very young children. Early intervention is critical. It is seldom in the child’s best interests to adopt a “wait and see” approach! If you are working with a child who has not yet reached the milestones, a referral for speech and language services is indicated. Referral to a pediatrician or a developmental psychologist may also be indicated. Click here to see the Developmental Milestones