Child Speech Disorders
What is a "speech disorder"?
A speech disorder is a disorder of language, whether it is processing and getting it out, or not being able to articulate even though you know what you want to say. Speech disorders develop oftentimes because of delayed developmental issues, which sometimes children will catch up on their own. Often they will not catch up on their own and then have to be therapized and diagnosed to be able to get the treatment for a speech disorder, though parents at home can do what they need to do to get their child practicing. But they usually pan out well if they are diagnosed early. There has not been any real research that shows a genetic connection or a connection to any trauma that has happened. Mostly if it's emotional trauma because of a witnessed incident, that dissipates once that treatment is instituted for the trauma.
How do I know if my child has a speech disorder?
You will be able to tell if your child has a speech disorder because either a developmental milestone of talking at around the age of two to three hasn't been achieved, or was achieved but not fully, or achieved and then lost.
What is a speech therapist?
A speech therapist will partake in the planning process and the evaluation process of a speech disorder. She will put together a plan, after it is known exactly where the speech deficits are, to be able to have that child practice and to have that child become successful in articulation of their words and their thoughts. You should consider getting a speech therapist for your child after you have diagnosed the speech issue that has either been done by that therapist in the evaluation process, or by another person; and then that's part of the treatment - planning a therapist.
