Unlike popular belief, speech and language problems are not uncommon. In fact, according to the National, seven percent of children in the UAE are experiencing speech and language disorders. This is relatively higher than in the US and the UK where the figures only mount up to three percent in each country.
Fortunately, there are several ways of addressing this problem as well as ensuring that these children receive the best treatment possible. Learning centers across the country offer Speech and Language Therapy to help children in their development. Today, let us talk about speech and language treatment and how it can have a positive (and long term) impact on children.
What is Speech and Language Therapy?
This therapy focuses mainly on addressing speech problems and helps to overcome challenges, such as weak articulation and speech disfluency, that includes stuttering. Apart from these, speech therapy also helps children who experience voice and phonological disorders. The ultimate goal is to enable children to better express themselves by improving their verbal and nonverbal language.
Speech pathologists work on a child’s articulation, fluency and ability to form sounds using the mouth and construct words and sentences. It also includes managing a child’s speech volume and improving their expressive language with the help of signs, written forms, and visual aids.
Benefits Of Speech And Language Therapy
Children who undergo speech and language therapy have experienced tremendous improvements in their communication. It helps them in increasing their ability to understand and express their thoughts and feelings. Likewise, it provides the ability for children to be understood through intelligible speech.
Apart from improving a child’s communication skills, it also helps in enhancing their swallowing function and safety in digesting food by exercising the muscles around their mouth. Each child will have a different set of challenges and the benefits they experience can also vary accordingly. This means the results of the therapy can be determined depending on the severity of the problem and the frequency of the treatment.
How Can I Help My Child While At Home?
Today, the majority of the world’s population are encouraged to stay at home. This can be challenging for parents who do not have access to other means of treatment. Until it is safe to be in public, here are three tips you can do in supporting your child with their speech therapy while at home.
Make Use Of Flash Cards
Flashcards are excellent tools to teach your children different words and sounds. It is also a fun activity to ensure the continuation of their therapy. You can start with a few pictures and gradually add more as your child progresses. This is also an effective way to motivate your child to hold a conversation.
Encourage Your Child To Communicate
Encourage a healthy communication habit for your child. Ask him or her thought-provoking questions. You can also ask about how they spend their day. This will promote detailed responses that will facilitate longer conversations.
Have Your Child Read Their Books Aloud
Make sure to have storybooks that your child can be interested in. You can also bring your child with you to the bookstore and let them pick which story they are interested in. Let your child read the story aloud and have them repeat it twice or even thrice. This activity helps them to further develop speaking and language skills.
Talk To An Expert
There are also several more tools and resources available to further develop your child’s speaking skills. You have to be understanding, patient and above all, optimistic while doing your part as a parent in their speech and language development. To learn more about Speech and Language Therapy and other treatments available for your child, speak to our experts at The Pulse Learning and Therapy Center today.