Guest Blog Written By: Martina from Nexa Speech & Therapy Clinic
I am often asked by parents whether it is a good idea to take the “wait and see” approach, to see if their child will outgrow their speech and language difficulties.
As a speech-language pathologist (SLP), and a communication professional, it is my responsibility to tell you that waiting it out is not the answer. The “wait and see” approach, for the most part, is not recommended as a way to address delayed speech and language difficulties. Of course, there are always some exceptions to the rule, but those exceptions should be identified by a qualified SLP, and here’s why….
First, it is important to understand that even though early language difficulties may appear to go away with time, they can result in a domino effect of language and literacy difficulties that develop later in life, and stay with the child throughout their formative years. These later-developing difficulties can be more difficult to detect and more difficult to treat later on.
During the first three years of life, children experience “explosive” growth in language and speech. Brain plasticity (that is, the brain’s ability to grow, learn, and change) is greatest during this very early period in a child’s life. Early and focused stimulation of the neural (brain) pathways that are connected to language and speech areas of the brain can lay the foundation for consistent development of strong communication skills throughout childhood and into adolescence.
Children with early speech & language difficulties that go untreated later become unable to use language to help them learn other subjects like math and science. They also develop difficulties using language to understand tasks that include complex verbal instructions, to manage relationships with adults and other children, and to solve problems they encounter in everyday life.
Early problems with speech, language, and literacy can also result in:
- high risk behaviours later in life
- depression
- isolation
If these difficulties are treated later in life, overcoming them often requires significant effort and expense.
There is an overwhelming amount of research in support of the conclusion that early intervention of speech and language difficulties provides the necessary foundation for greater learning later in life. The research also supports the conclusion that “children who don’t experience optimum early language learning are not prepared, nor equipped, for compulsory formal education by age 5” (Hart & Risely, 1995). These studies have shown that gaps that occur from speech and language difficulties early in life require greater investments of time, effort, and money to fix if they are treated later in life.
In short, speech and language delays that are not treated early affect the child’s global development, affect the child’s ability to learn more complex languagelater in life, and become more difficult and more expensive to treat, as the child grows older.
Early development of speech & language skills and the focused stimulation required to encourage optimal development should be guided by a speech-language pathologist. Early identification of speech and language problems is essential to prevention of associated problems in communication, literacy, and cognition and is fundamental for lifelong learning and well-being.
If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language skills, have them assessed by a speech-language pathologist, because the cost of taking the “wait and see” approach is simply too great.
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