How to distinguish between slow speech and slow language development in young children

Speech delay in young children can stem from many different causes, from environmental factors to problems related to language development. Early detection and timely intervention play an important role in helping children avoid long-term effects.

Speech delay in young children may be a temporary manifestation of the environment, but it may also be related to language development problems. Early detection helps timely intervention, avoiding long-term effects on children's communication and learning abilities.

Many parents believe that children with delayed speech are only temporary and that they will "wait until they grow up to speak". However, this belief can cause families to miss the "golden time" in language development - a stage that requires early detection and intervention.

Causes of delayed speech in children

Physical causes: Children may have health problems or abnormalities in the organs of speech such as the ears, nose, throat or brain (such as sequelae of cerebral hemorrhage, meningitis, congenital malformations). For children with autism, delayed speech or difficulty speaking can be a sign, but not all children with delayed speech have autism.

Tongue-tie: This congenital condition occurs in about 5% of children. A short lingual frenulum causes difficulty in speaking, leading to speech delay and also makes breastfeeding difficult.

Psychological factors: Children can be slow to speak if they live in an environment that lacks attention and communication with their parents, for example, when parents are too busy or indulgent, causing them to have little conversation. In addition, shock or psychological events can also affect a child's ability to speak.

Some cases of speech delay are temporary. In these cases, your doctor can advise you on home remedies.

Speech delay in young children can stem from many different causes.

What is considered a speech delay in young children?

Language development is a normal part of growing up. Typically, children go through the following milestones:

• 3 - 6 months: Children react to voices, look at the person they are talking to attentively, turn their heads in the direction of the sound; begin to pronounce single vowels like "a", "ba", "ba"... • 6 - 9 months: Begin to say more sounds like "da da", "mama"...
• 9 - 12 months: Makes a series of sounds that have no clear meaning. Around 11 months, the child can say a few single words more clearly like "mamma", "dada", "grandma"...
• 12 - 18 months: Can say longer words; by 18 months can put words together and say simple sentences. Children know the names of body parts, look at pictures and name animals.
• 2 - 3 years old: Knows how to talk to himself, ask questions, and communicate with more complex sentences.

Distinguishing between slow speech and slow language development

• Speaking skills: The ability to pronounce correctly and clearly.
• Language: Includes the ability to understand and respond, express desires through words or gestures (eye contact, facial expressions, actions...).

Children with speech delay often understand and have a need to communicate but have difficulty pronouncing or expressing themselves.

Meanwhile, children with language delay may say a few words but do not know how to use words to create meaningful sentences or communicate effectively.

Although different, these two conditions often go together and are easily confused. Correct identification helps in choosing the appropriate support method.

Distinguishing between a child with speech delay and a child with language delay is sometimes difficult. Therefore, parents need to monitor the signs to detect early and intervene promptly.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/cach-phan-biet-cham-noi-va-cham-phat-trien-ngon-ngu-o-tre-16925120107193309.htm