Speech and language delays, also a potential sign of pediatric hearing loss, are quite common in children. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that, “Nearly 1 in 12 (7.7 percent) U.S. children ages 3-17 has had a disorder related to voice, speech, language, or swallowing in the past 12 months” and “5 percent of U.S. children ages 3-17 have a speech disorder that lasted for a week or longer during the past 12 months.” In this post, we review the difference between a speech and language delay, the signs of a speech or language delay and the potential causes.
What’s the Difference Between a Speech & Language Delay?
“Speech” refers to the verbal expression of language and includes articulation – the way we form sounds and words. A speech delay means your child uses words and phrases to express ideas, which may be difficult to understand.
“Language” refers to the giving and getting of information – it includes verbal, nonverbal and written signals. A language delay means your child might say some words but only be able to put a couple of them together.
What Are the Signs of a Speech or Language Delay?
Unless you’re an expert, it can be difficult to tell whether your child is affected by a speech or language delay, as many of the signs overlap. Some include:
- Not using gestures (pointing or waving) by 12 months.
- Preferring gestures over vocalizations by 18 months.
- Having trouble imitating sounds at 18 months.
- Only imitating speech but not producing words spontaneously at two years.
- Repeatedly saying only a few sounds or words at two years.
- Being unable to use oral language to communicate more than their immediate needs at two years.
- Being unable to follow simple directions or requests at two years.
- Having an unusual tone of voice (raspy or nasal) at two years.
Here are some general guidelines that can help you identify a delay: Parents/regular caregivers should understand approximately 50% of a child’s speech at two years and 75% by three years. By four years, the child should be mostly understandable, even by people who don’t know them such as other kids and parents at North Street Park.
What Causes a Speech or Language Delay?
Potential causes of a speech or language delay include:
- Hearing loss
- Intellectual disability
- Psychosocial deprivation
- Being a twin
- Autism
- Elective mutism
- Cerebral palsy
- Living in a bilingual home
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call Blue Ridge ENT today.