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Speech and language problems in children are not uncommon: Problems with speech, using and understanding language, voice, reading, writing or hearing. The disability can be present at birth or acquired in later life. Adelaide speech pathologist Liberty Gates says most parents will instinctively know if their child has speech or language problems. “They may notice that their child is falling behind the others in playgroup, or having trouble communicating and understanding.  These are usually reliable signs that a child could have a speech or language disorder,” she says.

Speech pathologists assess and treat difficulties in:

Speech (pronunciation)

Language (understanding and using words and sentences)

Stuttering

Literacy (reading and writing)

Social Skills

Listening and Auditory Processing

Voice

Swallowing

Here is Liberty’s Gates’ checklist to help parents work out if their child needs to see a speech pathologist:

1. You or other people have difficulty understanding your child
2. People think your child is younger than he/she is because of the way he/she speaks
3. Your child is being teased or shows frustration because of the way he/she talks
4. Your child is using fewer words than other children his age
5. Your child stutters
6. Your child’s interactions or play seems unusual or inappropriate
7. Your child is struggling with reading or writing
8. There is a diagnosis that could affect speech or language such as hearing loss, auditory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorder or developmental delay

Here are milestones that you can follow:

Three years old

1. Correctly produces the sounds made by the letters p, b, m, w, t, d, n, g, h, y
2. Pronounces the final consonant in a word
3. Is able to follow a two-part instruction (e.g. “Go to the kitchen and get your juice”)
4. Can participate in short conversations
5. Puts three or more words together in a sentence
6. Asks “why?”
7. Can talk about something that happened yesterday or last week
8. Is using basic grammar

Four years old

1. Talks in whole sentences
2. Uses adult-like grammar
3. Asks a lot of questions
4. Answers “who”, “how”, “how many” questions
5. Tells stories you can easily follow
6. Uses language to create imaginative pretend play with others

Five years old

1. Explains how an object can be used
2. Answers ‘when’ and ‘why’ questions
3. Uses language to talk about past and future events
4. Participates in detailed conversations
5. Has little trouble thinking of what to say
6. Is not having too many difficulties learning to read

A communication disorder can have an impact on a child’s life, and can last through adulthood. If your child is showing difficulties, then it is recommended to ask for the advice of a speech therapist.

Dr. Bassem Abou Merhi

Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics

^{Parenting, July 04, 2017, Does my child need speech therapy?}