'They will get it in their own time' - will you risk waiting?

Does your child appear to be talking less than other children of a similar age within your playgroup, or at childcare? A common saying I hear repeated in the clinic room with parents of late talkers is “they will get it in their own time”. These parents may hear this response from family and friends when they share their concerns regarding their child’s language development. This may be true for some children, however, not seeking an assessment or advice from a professional is talking a risk. 

Signs that your child may be delayed in their language development are:

At one year of age:

–      Limited use of symbolic gestures such as waving for goodbye

–      No use of words

–      Lack of social interaction with you

–      No response to their name

–      No response to ‘no’

 

At two years of age:

–      Less than 50 single words

–      No word combinations

–      Difficulty following simple commands

–      Does not initiate interaction with you

–      Little imitation of words, sounds or actions

Early intervention for children with language impairments is extremely important. Children who have been assessed and diagnosed with a language delay, have a greater chance of catching up to their peers, the earlier they begin therapy.  This is because a child’s brain is more malleable when they are young. It is important to keep this in mind when deciding whether you are going to ‘wait and see’ if your child begins talking on their own as the ‘wait and see’ approach does come with its risks.

Delayed expressive language may mean more than that your child is a ‘late talker’ as it can also be a symptom of other disorders. These include; autism, developmental speech disorders such as apraxia of speech, global developmental delay, intellectual disability or can be due to delayed receptive language. An assessment by a speech pathologist can identify whether there are additional concerns in the areas of speech development, play or social interaction. 

Research has shown that a child who is not using any (or many) words by two years of age will continue to have language delays at three years of age if help is not sought. This can place the child at risk of continued delays into Prep, placing them behind their peers at school. Delayed language within the Prep room can impact on their ability to understand, follow instructions and learn the curriculum. Delayed language at Prep also places the child at risk of developing reading and spelling difficulties.

Children who have difficulties communicating their needs, wants, desires and interests can also develop maladaptive behaviours. Children can become physical, by pushing, hitting, and snatching to communicate what they want, as they are unable to express this verbally. This can impact negatively on a child’s ability to develop friendships.

Children who are not talking yet, are likely to need help from a speech pathologist to start talking if they have an underlying difficulty understanding language (receptive language). It is logical that a child needs to understand what the word means, before they use it themselves. Children with delayed receptive language development can appear as though they are not listening to you, or can appear to be stubborn or disobedient when they refuse to follow through with your instruction. These children, however, may just not understand what you want them to do! This can be very frustrating for parents and the child.

So what should you do if you are concerned about your child’s language development? If your child is two years of age, with a vocabulary of less than 50 words, it is strongly recommended that you see a speech pathologist for an assessment. Through this assessment, you will gain information on whether your child is delayed for their age in their understanding, and expressive language, and whether intervention is required. A speech pathologist will also be able to look at how your child is currently playing, communicating (non-verbally) and interacting with you and whether this is appropriate for their age. Remember, early intervention is the key to success!

Contact Tyquin Group Speech Pathology to discuss your concerns or to book an assessment. Phone: 3399 8028