Language development disorders are not uncommon in small children. The cause here is often the overworking or underworking of the not yet fully developed brain. Here it is important to support the child gently, never overreacting. The child should not be made to feel like they are stupid or untalented. Later language inhibitions, language disorders and even autism can possibly be favored.
What are language development disorders?
Depending on what the reason for the speech development disorder is, speech therapy with the help of a speech therapist can improve the situation.© kasto - stock.adobe.com
The term Language development disorders describes a delay in the development of a child's language skills, both in terms of content and time. The degree of the disorder can make itself felt in different ways in individual expression: phonetic-phonological, morpho-syntactic (dysgrammatic), lexical-semantic and on a pragmatic-communicative level.
causes
Autistic language disorders are genetic. Anyone who discovers such a genetic material in themselves or in relatives of blood relatives should, however, react a little more sensitively to their child's speech disorders. A therapist must have this information so that he does not have to test for long and fish in murky waters, but can immediately carry out the right language training.
Similar to autistic, genetically caused speech disorders, these are to be treated in dementia patients. It must be clearly stated that dementia is often related to old people. That is not correct. Dementia only means a limitation of memory. However, the cause can be accidents as well as poor nutrition.
A congenital hearing disorder could also be a reason for delayed speech development, as well as psychological causes. Sometimes these factors correlate with one another, which is why it is important to take this into account in the case history.
Symptoms, ailments & signs
One reduces memory performance more quickly, the other over the long term. Both often lead to speech disorders, but both can be almost completely cured. However, because of an already existing vocabulary that is much more pronounced than that of a small child, these two groups often react with more subconscious or unconscious rejection and inner withdrawal to therapeutic measures that are inadequate.
Diagnosis & course of disease
It is important to analyze the exact history and cause of the language disorders. Psychologists can help with this. However, this is often neglected, and from a certain age onwards the forgetfulness and the resulting language disorder is labeled as "dementia" and in the general popular understanding as incurable. Adults are then often treated by nursing staff like small children, although such a demarcation would be absolutely necessary for the successful healing of speech disorders.
Anyone who has read and thought along up to this point will agree that the developing brain of a toddler with a naturally still small vocabulary must be steered in the right direction with regard to language disorders than is the case with adults, where existing nerve connections due to whatever cause are always disturbed.
Blood tests, but also neurological examinations, can provide information. In many mentally ill people, the concentration of vitamin B in the blood was found to be far too low. Mental illnesses also often lead to language disorders as people progress. Recommendations such as adequate exercise (exercise for older people) and a healthy diet are good starting points for stable language skills.
Blood pressure is also an influencing factor that can be corrected to the correct level in the long term with almost no medication. If that doesn't happen, and the fluctuations between rest and stress phases are too extreme, this has an enormous burden on the veins that supply the brain with nutrients. Signs such as a red head when the strain is not excessively high should be just as much a reason for a doctor's visit as unnatural paleness. Because if the worst comes to the worst, language disorders are rare or difficult to repair.
Complications
A language development disorder has a very negative effect on the quality of life and the everyday life of the person affected. Most patients suffer from speech disorders and thus also from communication problems. Especially in children, the language development disorder can lead to bullying and teasing, which can trigger psychological complaints or depression in those affected.
The entire development of the child is also clearly slowed down and restricted by the disorder. In many cases, these disorders are related to swallowing difficulties, so that the children affected also suffer from problems when taking liquids or food. The rest of the patient's health is usually unaffected.
The treatment of the speech development disorder depends heavily on its cause. It is usually carried out through various training sessions or through therapy with a psychologist and can significantly limit the symptoms. There are usually no complications.
However, a positive course of the disease cannot be predicted in every case. Often the symptoms cannot be completely limited, so that those affected suffer from language problems throughout their lives. However, everyday life can usually be mastered well even with these disorders.
When should you go to the doctor?
Speech development disorder should always be treated by a doctor. Only early and correct treatment of this disorder can prevent further complications in the child's development. For this reason, see a doctor at the first signs and symptoms of this disorder. Above all, the child's parents must pay attention to the symptoms and consult a doctor.
As a rule, severe language problems are indications of language development disorders. The children cannot speak properly and cannot articulate themselves properly. In many cases, aggressive behavior also occurs when the child cannot express themselves properly. If these symptoms occur, the speech development disorder must be examined by a doctor. Furthermore, other psychological moods or even depression can point to the speech development disorder.
The language development disorder itself can be examined and treated by a psychologist or a pediatrician. Whether the treatment will be successful cannot be universally predicted.
Treatment & Therapy
Depending on what the reason for the speech development disorder is, speech therapy with the help of a speech therapist can improve the situation. Through targeted training, you can put misdirected synapse connections on the right track at an early stage. A child psychologist can help with mentally related language disorders.
This determines the causes of the stress and can point out ways in which the affected children can feel more secure with the help of a verbal construct. Often, mentally ill people find both linguistic influences and events they have experienced themselves to be extremely nerve-wracking.
In the truest sense of the word, the nerves should be spared without the often unconsciously preferred avoidance strategy. If this is carried out, the memory of those affected runs at full speed and brings about surprisingly creative possibilities to avoid the stressful situation. Unfortunately, in most cases these prove to be unsuitable for everyday use and destructive.
The vicious circle of falling self-confidence and the resulting reflection of those affected with their environment, in which others can do everything better, is provided with sufficient nutrients. Ergo, the nerves are hardly spared. The language construct, which accommodates the mentally stressed, is therefore characterized by training units that let them deal verbally with the perceived attacks.
You can find your medication here
➔ Medicines to improve concentration and language skillsprevention
Naturally, children don't speak much yet. Age comparisons with much older people are therefore inappropriate. Differing abilities of children of the same age should not be overrated. Do not talk your child sick, they are more sensitive than you think, even if they are not yet able to formulate it conclusively.
Speech disorders due to sudden damage to brain performance (accident or shock) must be remedied as quickly as possible using speech therapy and psychology. A shock experience can also lead to downstream health damage. Speech disorders caused by forgetfulness can usually be effectively improved by a nutritionist.
For this, however, he needs information about the blood values and the help of his patient. Mentally induced language disorders require sensible alternatives and protection options to confidently face the perceived threats. Psychologists, but also speech therapists, offer effective everyday coping strategies that also work without pressure.
Aftercare
Disturbances in language development are usually noticeable in childhood. The sooner such a disorder is diagnosed, the better the chances of recovery. Children up to three years of age are still in the linguistic learning process. For this reason, therapy should be started during this period if possible.
Follow-up care by a speech therapist is recommended for speech development disorders. If the disorder has already been successfully treated, the maintenance of this final state is the goal of the follow-up care. This prevents a relapse, namely the relearning of the correct pronunciation.
Children with language disorders often experience exclusion from their peers or lack of understanding from family members. This can damage the child's self-esteem.In such cases, a psychotherapeutic approach is advisable as part of follow-up care in parallel to speech therapy exercises. A (child) psychologist works out measures to strengthen the child's self-confidence. It tries to take away the child's feelings of inferiority and self-doubt.
The key to a satisfactory end result is the child's trust in their therapist. If the child enjoys his / her playful language exercises with the speech therapist, it will be easier for them to participate in everyday conversations outside of therapy in the future.
You can do that yourself
If the child's speech development is impaired, parents and relatives can perform speech exercises on a daily basis in addition to the speech therapy treatments. There are a variety of training units and techniques that can be performed at any time without a doctor's visit. They promote better cooperation, contribute to improved communication and ultimately support the patient's well-being.
It is important to be careful to stay calm. Learning progress is often tedious and only recognizable in small nuances. In addition, despite all efforts, phases of stagnation or declining development can occur. It is helpful to consult your doctor. Exercise units can be discussed with the therapist and changes can be summarized.
In order to avoid misunderstandings or conflicts in dealing with other people, the existing developmental disorder should be clarified. In this way, unpleasant looks or questions are often reduced to a minimum in advance. It can also be helpful to react to tense situations with humor and ease. With this approach, the sick person often feels less denounced and not personally attacked. A confident demeanor when maintaining interpersonal contacts is advisable when dealing with tense situations in everyday life.