 Vol.
I, No. 2 |
In
this issue:
Is my child on the right track?
WHO needs a speech and language pathologist?
Speech/Language evaluation: what does
it involve?
Is
my child on the right track?
As a general rule:
- 2 years -
Speaks in 2-word phrase. (E.G. Mama up; car bye-bye)
- 3 years -
Speaks in sentences of 3-4 words in length; begins
saying "K" and
"G" sounds; uses plurals
- 4 years -
Uses sentences of 5 words in length, good vocabulary
and grammar.
Speech is understandable.
- 5 years-
Speech is well understood. Sentances of over 5 words
in length are used.
WHO
needs a speech and language therapist?
Here are a few examples:
• 10 year old Mark is having trouble attending and
following directions.His grades are falling behind in
school.
• 36 year old Susan, a teacher, had vocal nodules removed
and must now leam a nonabusive way to talk, to prevent
them from recurring.
• 75 year old Sam suffered a stroke and cannot communicate
his needs.
• 3 year old Amy appears to be as bright as her 7 year
old sister but you can't understand what she says.
• 63 year old Mary suffered a stroke. She communicates
well but coughs and chokes everytime she drinks liquids.
• 35 year old John has a chance to advance in his career.
However, this will mean public speaking and he is concerned
that his lisp and lack of voiceprojection and intonation
may hinder his advancement.
• 23 year old Scott's employer complains because his
accent makes his speech difficult to understand.
Any problem that prevents adequate communication is
worth special attention. Do not hesitate to call a speech
/ language pathologist for a consultation. You are worth
it!
SPEECH
/ LANGUAGE EVALUATION: WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?
Your 2 1/2 year old has just started saying single
words. His pediatrician tells you that he should be
producing more words and is concerned about his delayed
speech. He refers you to a speech / language pathologist
for an evaluation. Hopefully, he will contact an area
speech therapist who will then call you to schedule
an appointment.
The evaluation may take approximately one hour. Before
arriving for the evaluation, the parents have already
provided history information with properly signed paperwork
for the therapist.
The speech / language pathologist will be performing
several different tests on your child, in hopes of gaining
age equivalent information of the following:
• Receptive language - Does the child understand spoken
language at his age level; is he behind or advanced
for his age?
• Expressive language - Does the child use spoken language
age appropriately? Does he have an age-appropriate vocabulary
and sentence length?
• Articulation - The production of sounds occurs at
different age levels. If a 3 year old cannot produce
an S or F sound, this is not yet a problem. If he can't
produce a P or M sound, however, he is delayed in sound
production.
• Oral Motor Development - Can the child control his
tongue and lips appropriately for his age? If he is
3 years old and still sucking on a bottle, this isinhibiting
his tongue from developing more mature movements needed
to makemore mature sounds accurately.
• Hearing - Any history of ear infections is very important.
If the speech therapist suspects a hearing loss, the
child will be referred to an audiologist.
Finally, the evaluation results are explained to the
parents. If any area shows delayed development, then
therapy goals are established by the speech / language
pathologist and therapy is scheduled for 1-2 times weekly,
depending on severity. A follow-up letter is then sent
to the referring physician,explaining the evaluation
results and plan of treatment.
Do you know someone whose spouse or parent has had
a stroke? This person, your friend, probably was not
fully prepared for the responsibilities associated with
caregiving. They are possibly
experiencing physical, emotional and financial stress.
Why don't you call your friend and offer to relieve
them of their duties, even if just for an hour or two.
What a reward for both of you!
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