Parents have a lot to worry about during their child’s development. There are few issues as difficult to handle as speech. Parents almost always worry about whether their child is moving at the proper pace while learning how to talk. But there are other issues to watch out for as well. For example, most parents don’t know what the signs of a developing speech disorder are.
Likewise, parents seldom know when it’s time to get in touch with a pediatric ear nose and throat specialist. It is not always easy to know which symptoms are truly a speech disorder. Likewise, it can prove difficult to properly understand which issues can be helped along by a pediatric ENT. But the following signs of speech disorders can be a solid guide to helping your child.
Making the Same Pronunciation Mistakes
If a child continually makes the same mistakes when pronouncing words then it might be a sign of an articulation disorder. This one problem can be expressed through a wide variety of symptoms. These symptoms can include difficulty understanding the child’s speech. It can also express itself in a single sound that’s always mispronounced no matter what the word is.
Various Types of Lisps
People usually think of a lisp as only encompassing issues with the “s” sound. But we see a wide variety of similar issues with other sounds. This often happens with words that start with two consonants like “broken”. A child might instead pronounce it in a way that sounds like “broken” because he has trouble working with the consonant pair. In technical terms, this is known as a phonological disorder.
Not Using Short Sentences By 3
Children often begin using short sentences between 18 months and 2 years. If a child still isn’t using short sentences by age 3 then it might be a sign of a speech disorder. It’s often difficult to differentiate whether this is caused by a physical or mental issue. But if a child has issues forming words then this will often be the underlying cause. It’s harder to form sentences when each word is a trial unto itself.
Difficulty Being Understood by People Outside the Immediate Family
It’s important to keep in mind that we tend to have a special understanding of our own children. After all, we understand our baby’s needs long before they can speak a single word. This often means that we miss issues with their speech simply since we pay so much attention to their intent. If strangers often find themselves unable to understand our children, then it can be a sign of a speech disorder.
Problems With Social Interaction
The difficulty in being understood will sometimes come about differently within different age groups. For example, sometimes adults can understand a child’s speech and will not point out the impediment. But the child’s peers might not be able to. This can result in a seemingly inexplicable lack of social interaction.
It is Never Too Late To Find Help
Thankfully, it’s never too late to address any of these issues. However, in general, the sooner a parent sees an ENT the easier proper treatment will become. It is best to consult the professionals as soon as you begin to suspect there’s a problem.