Children’s Speech and Language Delays

By the time a child start school at the age of four or five, they are fairly well prepared. They have sorted, classified and categorized information into the right places in their minds. They can use language to communicate, socialize, and to learn. But, sometimes a child can be disorganized and can’t make sense of the world. They are distracted and frustrated by all of the information presented to them that they can appear not to be paying attention, or even to be deaf. Sometimes they are paying too much attention to one word or phrase trying to make sense of it, meanwhile the rest of the sentence goes unheeded.
A child’s speech and language development follows a typical pattern. Language and speech disorders can exist together or by themselves. Speech is the sound that comes out of our mouths and when it is not understood by others there is a problem. Speech problems, such as stuttering and mispronunciation can be very frustrating. Language has to do with meanings, rather than sounds, language is a measure of intelligence and language delays are more serious than speech problems (McMinn, 2006). Language delay is when a child’s language is developing in the right sequence, but at a slower rate. Speech and language disorder describes abnormal language development. Delayed speech or language development is the most common developmental problem.
Childhood speech and language disorders are characterized by the late appearance, slow development of comprehension and/or expression in children who are cognitively, emotionally, and physically intact (McMinn, 2006). Language is made up socially by shared rules that include the following, what words mean, how to make new words, how to put words together, what word combination are best in what situations. Language is the content of what is spoken, written, read, or communicated through gestures. When a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely

References: American speech language hearing association. (2012, Oct. 14). Typical speech and language development. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Retrieved form http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/language_speech.htm Hulit, L. (2004). Straight talk on stuttering. Charles C Thomas Publisher, Ltd. Springfield, Il Lindsay, L. (2012) Speaking of apraxia a parents’ guide to childhood apraxia of speech. Woodbine House. Bethesda, MD. McMinn, J. (2006). Supporting children with speech and language impairment and associated difficulties. Continuum International Publishing Group. New York, NY O’Connor, Frances. (2008). Frequently asked questions about stuttering. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. New York, NY