You wouldn’t believe how many parents are worried about this. Almost every other parent that comes to be for a speech assessment for their child, asks me this question,
‘Did I Cause My Child Speech Delay’
‘Should I have done something to boost his language development’
‘What did I do wrong?’
Nothing. You probably are not the reason behind your child’s speech delay because you are doing the best you can for your child. And bringing the child to a speech therapist, or even reading this post, shows that you care. And that you are willing to put your time into understanding the cause of the delay.
Signs of Speech Delay
Some children start talking late, and some of them start talking very very late. At 2 years, many parents become concerned when their toddler is not picking up words at the same pace as his friends and peers.
If your child is not achieving the following language milestones as per his age, it shows that he has speech delay.
What causes speech delay?
It’s true that talking to your child will boost his speech and language development. But there are other causes to speech delay in kids:
Hearing Issues
Some children have hearing disabilities. So, when your child cannot hear all those words, he will not be able to use them also. Hearing issues are easy to pick up.
Before children start talking, they are developing their receptive language skills. This means they are understanding all those words that you keep repeating. If you feel that your child doesn’t understand simple one- or two-word instructions by 18 months, it is a good idea to have him screened for hearing disabilities.
Most hearing issues are easily corrected with hearing aids or a cochlear implant.
Development Delays
If your child is achieving other development milestones at a slower pace, then it is expected that his speech will also be delayed. Talk to an occupational therapist on the causes and treatment of these delays. Depending on the condition, your OT will chart a suitable action plan.
Technology
It’s true speech delay in kids is more pronounced now than ever. Almost 70% of children are speech delayed as a result too being exposed to too much screen time.
Many parents use technology as an alternative to spending time with their kids. It’s easier to hand them a device than to sit down and play with them. Raising a child is exhausting work. But use screen time in a positive way. Sit down with them when they watch their favorite shows. Talk to them about what’s happening in the show. You can do your laundry sorting, or any other chore with that.
Autism
Speech delay can also mean autism. In fact, many parents find their child is autistic, when they go for a speech assessment. If your child shows some of the classic symptoms of autism, I suggest you make an appointment with the pediatrician to rule it out. Even if your child is autistic, early intervention and coping strategies allow autistic children to lead normal lives.
Some symptoms of autism include:
- Poor Speech
- Inability to connect with peers
- Strange obsession to certain objects
- Repetitive Behavior
- Hyperactivity or passivism
- Oversensitivity to sound
- Lack of awareness to danger
Dealing with a speech delayed child
Speech delay is a very common developmental milestone. Simple speech delays can be corrected with a little extra help from parents and your child’s speech therapist.
A few tips that will help you accelerate the speech development process in your child are:
- Book an appointment with a speech therapist. Screen out the cause of the speech delay so you can direct your energies in the right direction.
- If you are visiting a speech therapist, repeat all the exercises at home also.
- Repeat their words. If they are only saying one word, repeat if often throughout the day.
- If they are using the wrong sound for word, don’t correct them. Instead, repeat the right sound. For example, if they saying, ‘waer’ instead of water. Repeat the word, ‘Do you want water’.
- Positively reinforce their efforts.
- Speak slowly with them and sing often.
- Stop comparing your child to others. It’s difficult but if you want to compare, compare his progress from last month or last year.
- Don’t blame yourself. All the time and thoughts you are wasting on blaming yourself can be used positively to work on your child.
I hope this article will help alleviate any worries about, ‘Did I cause my child speech delay?’. If you notice your child struggling and these strategies aren’t helping, I would love to help you determine your child’s individual needs. Please reach out to set up a free consultation. We are here to support you as you help your child blossom!
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