There are certain questions which are thrown the way of speech and language development specialists more frequently than any others. It really isn’t until you find yourself in a situation where speech therapy is called for that you gain a real understanding of how disconcerting and troubling the subject in general can be. What exactly is the nature of your child’s problem? How long will they be required to attend treatment sessions? What is the long-term prognosis? How much will it cost?
What all of these questions have in common is the way in which the answer will be different for every child and case across the board. As each child is unique and the specifics of their case equally unique to them, there are so many obvious questions which are in fact impossible to answer in the immediate moment. Nevertheless, there are other important questions which can and should be addressed at the earliest opportunity in order to help parents better understand speech and language development therapists and how the process works.
So from the experts in speech therapy, here’s a quick introduction to just a few of these important questions and their respective answers:
How Are Communication, Language And Speech Different?
Those approaching the subject for the first time will often assume that communication, language and speech are all in fact the very same thing. In reality however this is not the case at all and when it comes to speech and language development issues, the exact area in which the child is facing difficulty will determine the treatment process.
In the simplest of terms possible, communication refers to the sharing of information using any means whatsoever. From pointing to smiling to waving to body language to writing things down on a piece of paper and so many more, these are all examples of communication. As for speech, this is the term that refers to a type of communication which involves audible sounds or words produced by the mouth. Last up, language refers to the use of specific words and sets of words to communicate in accordance with a specific set of grammatical rules and correct pronunciation. So while some kids may develop strong speech skills early on or be masters in communication in general, this does not necessarily mean that they may not encounter difficulties when it comes to language.
Can A Child’s Speech and Language Development Be Measured over Time?
One of the biggest problems and indeed mistakes made by most parents is that of assuming that by any given point in their child’s development, they should have achieved certain things and made specific progress. Of course there are extreme examples where the fact that development appears slow despite an excessive period of time could be a cause for concern. Nevertheless, all kids develop their speech and language skills at different speeds and in different ways, therefore specific time measurements are generally to be avoided.
How Do Girls And Boys Differ When It Comes To Speech And Language Development?
This is by far one of the most interesting questions on the subject of speech and language development and one that continues to enthral and to some extent confuse the scientific community. What we do know for sure by now is that girls and boys do indeed develop differently when it comes to speech and language development. However, what we still have little to no idea about is exactly why this is the case. It’s assumed that it all comes down to the way in which male and female brains feature different mechanics combined with hormonal influences and other such factors, but exactly why this leads to a situation where girls tend to develop speech and language skills faster than boys remains a mystery.
Once again however, it is important not to compare the development of any given child to any specific standards or indeed to any other child. Instead, if there is any concern as to the speed at which any given child is developing, male or female, the best advice is to seek professional advice as soon as possible.
Can Speech And Language Development Issues Be Avoided Altogether?
Sadly, the answer to this question remains no…at least for the time being. Despite the fact that the medical community’s understanding of speech and language development has never been more robust, we still have little to no idea with regard to why speech and language issues develop in the first place. As such, it won’t be until we understand the full mechanics and causes of all speech and language development issues that we are able to head them off at the pass.
