There is no doubt that every parent waits for their child to speak his or her first words. All those sounds of baby cooing and child babbling are the links which connect the child with the world around him or her. But sometimes these important milestones do not come on time or the speech becomes unclear, which results in frustration and fear for the parents. If you are a parent from Nanded who sees that his or her child needs help in speaking, you are at the right place. speech language therapy in Nanded
Understanding Speech Delays: When Should You Seek Help?
All children grow up at their own pace, but certain milestones are important for communication that help determine the child’s health status. Temporary delays are normal but difficulties that persist may indicate the presence of some problems, such as expressive language delay, speech sound disorders, ASD, or ADHD.
You should consider contacting an expert if you notice the following signs:
- Before 12 Months: Your child does not wave “bye-bye” or point at any object.
- Before 18 Months: They do not use more gestures than words to communicate or cannot imitate simple sounds.
- Before 24 Months: They can imitate speech or actions, but cannot form words or phrases on their own. They have difficulties obeying simple commands.
- Before 3 Years: Strangers cannot understand what your child says, or your child stutters and repeats sounds.
How Speech-Language Therapy Transforms Young Lives
A speech therapy session entails a lot more than just learning to pronounce words properly. For a growing child, it involves an elaborate process which seeks to develop cognitive connections and social skills.
- Developing Receptive and Expressive Language – Communication specialists work with children to help them comprehend words said to them (receptive language) and use them to express themselves (expressive language).
- Improving Articulation and Fluency – In case of difficulties in pronouncing certain sounds (e.g. “tat” for “cat”) and fluency problems such as stuttering, specific exercises develop speech and brain mechanisms.
- Improving Social Pragmatics – In order for kids who are autistic to communicate effectively, therapists must teach them social pragmatics which include body language, turn taking during conversations, and reading facial expressions.
Parents Are Key in Speech Therapy Process
It is possible that a speech therapist works with your child for two to three hours per week. Yet, other hours are dedicated to you. Active participation of parents becomes the best means to speed up speech therapy progress. Here are some useful tips to create a language-friendly atmosphere at home:
- Narrate Your Routine: Speak in simple phrases about what you do when cooking, cleaning the room, or driving: “Mommy is cutting the red apple.”
- Read Stories: Read the books together and point at pictures; ask your child what she thinks about the next step of the character. Do not hesitate to let your child flip pages by herself.
- Avoid Corrections: If your child says “The car goes fast!”, then do not correct her: “No, say it right!”. On the contrary, correct it yourself: “Yes, the car is going very fast!”
- Minimize Passivity: Watching TV or smartphones decreases human communication.
Take the First Step Today
The realization that your child requires special attention may seem overwhelming, but availing your child of speech therapy services shows your true love for your child. It is best done at an early stage in most cases before your child turns three or four years old to make use of the brain’s plasticity, which will make the therapy process quicker and much more efficient.Nanded has experienced specialists who are more than willing to work together with your family. Follow your heart; if you think your child requires help with communication, take the first step and book an assessment today.
Conclusion
Words can inspire, empower, and shape your child’s future. Being in a situation where your child is having difficulty expressing himself can be hard. However, making proactive moves through speech-language therapy from an early age plays a major role. Given the fast-paced development of healthcare facilities in Nanded, you now have access to highly-qualified pediatric specialists and rehabilitation centers close to your residence. Keep in mind that you do not need to take care of this matter alone; instead, by working alongside a local therapist and encouraging speech at home, you will help unlock your child’s true potential. Visit your nearest digital hearing aid centre in Nanded.
FAQs
Q1: How do I recognize if my child needs speech therapy?
A1: If your baby is not showing any gestures at 12 months, has less than 6 to 10 words at 18 months, and is not forming two-word phrases at 2 years, you should consider taking him for an evaluation.
Q2: How long will a normal pediatric speech therapy session take?
A2: A normal session of a child speech therapy usually takes from 30 to 45 minutes depending on the child’s age and diagnosis.
Q3: Is speech therapy useful for a child who has been diagnosed with Autism or ADHD?
A3: Yes. The goal of a child who has Autism or ADHD is to teach them social pragmatics, eye contact, non-verbal comprehension, and functional communication.