Some parents with toddlers who are beginning to speak may be worried about their child’s speech problems due to financial needs
Originally, many parents expect to hear their child speak soon. However, when they meet friends’ children of the same age who can already talk, they may compare them to their own child who is still reluctant to speak, speaks slowly, does not form words, or speaks without meaning. This causes concern about whether their child’s condition is abnormal.
Speech delay problems in children, besides being related to development, may also be associated with other abnormalities such as brain diseases or intellectual disabilities. This group may also have delayed muscle development, including autistic children.
How can parents tell if their child’s speech delay is abnormal?
The way to observe whether your child is speaking late can be seen from two points: whether the child understands language and how the child uses language. Normally, when a child is about 15 months old, parents should observe whether their little one makes meaningful sounds, such as “munch munch” when hungry or tries to communicate or invite, like “pa pa.” Regarding language comprehension, the child should start to look, point to things they want, or things they are interested in. But if at 15 months old the child still does not say any meaningful words and does not respond to simple questions like this, parents should suspect that there may be an abnormality.
Another way to observe is to watch in advance during the age of 6 – 9 months, which is the period when the child can perceive or communicate, such as playing peekaboo! or laughing with others. If the child refuses to play or follow simple commands because they do not understand, parents can start to suspect that something abnormal may be happening.
At what level of speech delay should you take your child to see a doctor?
– At 18 months: The child still refuses to follow commands or does not understand
– At 2 years: The child still does not speak meaningful words
– At 2 years 6 months: The child still cannot say two words together or a phrase
– At 3 years: The child still cannot speak in sentences
What should be done to help the child speak?
When you feel that your child has an abnormality, it is recommended that parents take the child to see a doctor for a physical examination to check for any physical abnormalities. If the results are normal, then the child’s development in each area will be assessed, such as “hearing development” — whether the child turns when called, likes to look at faces or mouths when wanting to communicate, or may make loud noises because they cannot hear. The way to help is to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist to check hearing and receive therapy with a multidisciplinary team (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy) to continue speech training. All of this depends on the child’s condition and the doctor’s discretion. Some children may need medication if emotional problems, aggressive behavior, or hyperactivity are found.
However, in cases where the child’s speech delay is due to other causes such as brain disease or developmental disorders, as in autistic children who have impaired social skills, the child needs treatment to increase interaction with others. The child must undergo developmental stimulation or occupational therapy through various activities and be continuously monitored to ensure that at least the child can help themselves.
Speech delay may be caused by parents talking too little to the child
When a child lacks language stimulation, this may be because parents talk or communicate too little with the child or do too much for them, anticipating everything the child needs, so the child does not have to ask. This results in the child having no opportunity to speak, leading to a lack of language stimulation skills. Additionally, parents often misunderstand by turning on the TV for the child to keep them still, but in reality, both TV and mobile phones are constantly moving. If the child is exposed to these too much, there is a risk that the child will speak even later because there is no need to communicate with others. At the same time, it can also trigger attention deficit symptoms in the child.
3 simple ways to help stimulate your child to speak
Parents should try to talk more with their child, ask and answer briefly using simple and short words, and praise the child when they cooperate. Do not leave the child alone with the TV or phone too much. Encourage the child to do activities such as talking about things they are interested in, telling stories, and looking at pictures, with close parental supervision.
Child Health Center, Phyathai 3 Hospital, 4th Floor
Tel. 02-467-1111 ext. 3419 and 3420
