What are speech delays and disorders?
Speech is the sound that comes out of our mouths. When it is not understood by others there is a problem. Speech problems, such as stuttering and mispronunciation can be very frustrating.
Speech delay is also known as alalia. Speech refers to the actual process of making sound using organs and structure such as the lungs, vocal chords, tongue, teeth, mouth and etc. Language delay refers to a development or use of the knowledge of the language.
Because language and speech are two independent stages, they may be individually delayed.
For example: A child may be delayed in speech but not delayed in language (i.e., unable to produce intelligible speech sounds). In this case, the child would be attempting to produce an age appropriate amount of language, but language would be difficult or impossible to understand. A child that has a language delay is likely to have a delay in speech as well.
(Age appropriate refers to a developmental concept whereby certain activities may be deemed appropriate or inappropriate to a child’s “stage” or level of development. Lack of exposure to age appropriate activities and experiences is commonly thought to prevent a child from gaining the skills necessary for their current and their next stage of development.)
TYPES OF SPEECH DELAY:
There are types of speech delay that is typically categorized as either:
- Phonetic delay (i.e. immaturities in how consonant and/or vowels are articulated in particular contexts)
- Phonological delay (i.e. immaturities in the organization and systematic use of speech sounds to produce meaningful words and is the case with many communication problems).
It is possible for such features to co-exist. A child may, therefore, exhibit either a phonetic delay or a phonological delay, or elements or both at the same time.
CAUSES OF SPEECH DELAY
Here are some causes as to why a child experiences speech delay.
Most Common Cause:
- Hearing loss
- Slow development
- Mental retardation
Other causes:
- Psychosocial deprivation (the child doesn’t spend enough time speaking with adults)
- Being a twin
- Autism
- Elective mutism (the child just does not want to speak)
- Cerebral palsy
If you notice that your child is not talking at the level of his age group, then I suggest for you to seek a doctor. The doctor may refer your child to a hearing specialist or to a speech and language specialist.
10% of children experience a speech delay, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Children develop on their own timeframe — but if you notice your child is not speaking as much as most kids his age, he could have a speech delay.
SPEECH APRAXIA OR APRAXIA OF SPEECH
Speech apraxia is also known as verbal apraxia or dyspraxia, is a speech disorder in which a person has trouble saying what he or she wants to say. It is not due to the weakness or paralysis of the speech muscles (the muscles of the face, tongue, and lips). The severity of apraxia of speech can range from mild to severe.
TYPES AND CAUSES OF APRAXIA
- Acquired apraxia of speech
- Developmental apraxia of speech
Acquired apraxia of speech can affect a person in any age, although it typically occurs in adults. Damage to the part of the brain that involves speaking, and involves the loss or impairment of existing speech abilities are the cause. The disorder may result from a stroke, head injury, tumor, or other illness affecting the brain. Acquired apraxia of speech may occur together with muscle weakness affecting speech production (dysarthria) or language difficulties caused by damage to the nervous system.
Developmental apraxia of speech occurs in children and is present from birth. Boys are the most who are affected with this than the girls. Developmental apraxia of speech is different from what is known as a developmental delay of speech, in which a child follows the “typical” path of speech development but does so more slowly than normal.
Developmental apraxia of speech goes by several other names such as:
- Developmental verbal apraxia
- Developmental verbal dyspraxia
- Articulatory apraxia
- Childhood apraxia of speech
The cause or causes of developmental apraxia of speech is not yet known. Some scientists believed that it is a disorder related to a child’s overall language development. Others believe it is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to send the proper signals to move the muscles involved in speech. However, brain imaging and other studies have not found evidence of specific brain lesions or differences in brain structure in children with developmental apraxia of speech. Children with developmental apraxia of speech often have family members who have a history of disorders or learning disabilities. This observation and recent research findings suggest that genetic factors may play a role in the disorder.
How is it treated?
Language-speech therapy can be sought. In some cases, people with acquired apraxia of speech recover some or all of their speech abilities on their own. This is called spontaneous recovery. Children with developmental apraxia of speech will not outgrow the problem on their own. Speech-language therapy is often helpful for these children and for people with acquired apraxia who do not spontaneously recover all of their speech abilities.
Speech-language pathologists use different approaches to treat apraxia of speech, and no single approach has been proven to be the most effective. Therapy is tailored to the individual and is designed to treat other speech or language problems that may occur together with apraxia. Each person responds differently to therapy, and some people will make more progress than others. People with apraxia of speech usually need frequent and intensive one-on-one therapy. Support and encouragement from family members and friends are also important.
In severe cases, people with acquired or developmental apraxia of speech may need to use other ways to express themselves. These might include formal or informal sign language, a language notebook with pictures or written words that the person can show to other people, or an electronic communication device such as a portable computer that writes and produces speech.
ARE THERE ANY DISADVANTAGES IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE SPEECH DELAY IN THEIR LATER LIFE?
Late talking doesn’t predispose toddlers to behavioral and emotional disturbances later in childhood and adolescence, researchers reported.