How to detect speech difficulty in babies
Jul 11, 2011
A baby’s first word is cause for excitement to every parent, but unfortunately some parents do not get to experience this joy. <br>
By Agnes Kyotalengerire
A baby’s first word is cause for excitement to every parent, but unfortunately some parents do not get to experience this joy.
According to Juliet Wamukoota, a speech and language therapist at Children’s Medical Centre in Bugolobi, some children experience speech and language difficulty.
The condition impairs the fluency of a child’s speech, ability to express himself and failure to use language appropriately.
Many parents and caretakers are shy to disclose the condition, and as a result, speech and language difficulties are increasing. Children’s Medical Centre, alone registers seven to 10 new cases every week.
Milestones
George Ibanda, a speech therapist at Jinja Hospital, says a baby starts communicating (coo) at five to six weeks, responding to the mother’s voice. At three months, the baby starts to vocalise, and at nine months it babbles words like “maamaâ€. The baby is also able to understand simple words, for example “comeâ€.
By 12 months, a baby should be able to understand, obey simple instructions and use words familiar to environment. At 18 months to two years, a baby should be able to use more words and gestures, make noise, sing and form simple sentences while constantly asking questions, Ibanda observes.
By two-and-a-half to four years, a child’s speech is beginning to be understood not only by family members, but strangers too. At the age of four, a child can narrate and its speech can be understood.
If the major talking milestones are not achieved at the appropriate time, then the parent should consult a doctor or arrange for the child to be assessed.
Signs of speech difficulty
According to Wamakoota, if a child does not babble at around six months, does not startle or respond to sound or his name, does not utter a word, obey or follow simple instructions, he is likely to have speech difficulty.
If a child lacks social interaction with other children, uses gestures or objects to express himself, turns aggressive, grabs play objects with minimal speech or language and does not imitate others, this is a warning sign.
Causes
Wamakoota says congenital conditions including Down syndrome and slower muscular development cause speech and language difficulties. Other factors are prolonged labour or difficult delivery in case a baby fails to get oxygen to the brain.
Environmental causes that can result in selective mutism (unable to speak) include, child abuse, interacting less with people, slow understanding of adult language and playing alone.
“Children can learn a lot by playing alone with toys but in order to learn to communicate, they must play with people who are doing things the child can do†she explains.
Impact
A child may not be able to play since it cannot express itself.
In addition, if a child is of school-going age, he develops low self-esteem and psychological torture from peers. Besides, the child faces learning problems at school as a result of language problems.
Management
Ibanda says early intervention is the best way to manage speech and language difficulties. “Seek help from a speech therapist as soon you suspect your child has a problem.
A baby’s first word is cause for excitement to every parent, but unfortunately some parents do not get to experience this joy.
According to Juliet Wamukoota, a speech and language therapist at Children’s Medical Centre in Bugolobi, some children experience speech and language difficulty.
The condition impairs the fluency of a child’s speech, ability to express himself and failure to use language appropriately.
Many parents and caretakers are shy to disclose the condition, and as a result, speech and language difficulties are increasing. Children’s Medical Centre, alone registers seven to 10 new cases every week.
Milestones
George Ibanda, a speech therapist at Jinja Hospital, says a baby starts communicating (coo) at five to six weeks, responding to the mother’s voice. At three months, the baby starts to vocalise, and at nine months it babbles words like “maamaâ€. The baby is also able to understand simple words, for example “comeâ€.
By 12 months, a baby should be able to understand, obey simple instructions and use words familiar to environment. At 18 months to two years, a baby should be able to use more words and gestures, make noise, sing and form simple sentences while constantly asking questions, Ibanda observes.
By two-and-a-half to four years, a child’s speech is beginning to be understood not only by family members, but strangers too. At the age of four, a child can narrate and its speech can be understood.
If the major talking milestones are not achieved at the appropriate time, then the parent should consult a doctor or arrange for the child to be assessed.
Signs of speech difficulty
According to Wamakoota, if a child does not babble at around six months, does not startle or respond to sound or his name, does not utter a word, obey or follow simple instructions, he is likely to have speech difficulty.
If a child lacks social interaction with other children, uses gestures or objects to express himself, turns aggressive, grabs play objects with minimal speech or language and does not imitate others, this is a warning sign.
Causes
Wamakoota says congenital conditions including Down syndrome and slower muscular development cause speech and language difficulties. Other factors are prolonged labour or difficult delivery in case a baby fails to get oxygen to the brain.
Environmental causes that can result in selective mutism (unable to speak) include, child abuse, interacting less with people, slow understanding of adult language and playing alone.
“Children can learn a lot by playing alone with toys but in order to learn to communicate, they must play with people who are doing things the child can do†she explains.
Impact
A child may not be able to play since it cannot express itself.
In addition, if a child is of school-going age, he develops low self-esteem and psychological torture from peers. Besides, the child faces learning problems at school as a result of language problems.
Management
Ibanda says early intervention is the best way to manage speech and language difficulties. “Seek help from a speech therapist as soon you suspect your child has a problem.