Know the Dangers of Speech Delay in Children

Developing children's speaking abilities is an important part of their overall growth and development. Every child has a different rate of development, but there are general standards for when children should start to utter their first words, speak in short sentences, and form more complex communication. However, some children may experience delays in speech abilities, which is known as speech delays.

Speech delay is a condition when a child has not yet developed the ability to speak according to the age he should be. In this case, the child may not be able to produce words or construct sentences according to his age.

For example, babies usually start babbling between 6 and 9 months of age, and their first meaningful words usually appear between 12 and 18 months. At the age of 2 years, children can usually combine two words into simple sentences. If these abilities are not visible at the expected age, then there may be a delay in speech development.

Various factors can cause speech delays in children. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Hearing Problems Children with hearing loss may not be able to hear sounds clearly, which impacts their ability to learn to speak. Chronic ear infections can also affect a child's hearing.
2. Developmental Disorders Children with developmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may experience delays in various aspects, including speech. Other developmental disorders such as cerebral palsy or global developmental delay can also affect speech.
3. Bilingual Environment Children who grow up in an environment with two or more languages ​​sometimes experience speech delays. However, this is not a permanent problem; The child will usually catch up and be able to speak both languages ​​well.
4. Physiological Problems Disorders of the speech organs, such as the tongue or palate, can also cause children to have difficulty pronouncing words. Children with a tongue tie may experience limitations in their tongue movement, which can affect speech.
5. Lack of Stimulation Children who are not frequently interacted with verbally by parents or caregivers may not have enough opportunities to develop speech skills. Lack of speech stimulation can cause speech delay.

Some signs of speech delay that parents can recognize include:

1. Not Babbling or Making Noises at 6 Months Babies who don't start making sounds or babbling at this age may be showing early signs of speech delay.
2. Delayed First Words If the child has not started saying his first words by 15–18 months, this could be a sign of delay.
3. Difficulty Combining Words At the age of 2 years, children are usually able to combine two simple words. If the child cannot do this, then there may be a delay in speaking ability.
4. Lack of Understanding Speech delay is often accompanied by delays in understanding language. The child may have difficulty following simple instructions or understanding conversations.
5. Difficult to Understand Pronunciation A child who speaks, but is very difficult for others to understand, may have a speech delay or articulation problems.

If parents suspect a speech delay, the first step they can take is to consult a pediatrician. The doctor will evaluate the child's overall development and may refer the child to a specialist, such as an audiologist (to ensure the child does not have a hearing loss) or a speech therapist.

Treatment and therapy for speech delay depends on the cause. Some common ways to overcome speech delay include:

1. Speech Therapy Speech therapy is the main step in overcoming speech delay. A speech therapist will work with the child to improve communication skills and introduce techniques that can help the child speak better.
2. Speech Stimulation at Home Parents play an important role in helping children with speech delay. Parents can continue talking to the child, reading books together, and responding to the child's every attempt to speak. An environment rich in language and verbal stimulation really helps children's development.
3. Hearing Devices If speech delay is caused by hearing loss, using hearing aids can help your child hear sounds better, which has a direct impact on speech ability.
4. Treatment of Medical Conditions If there is a medical problem underlying speech delay, such as an ear infection or physiological problems with the speech organs, appropriate treatment needs to be given.

Speech delay in children can be worrying for parents, but with proper treatment, this condition can be overcome. Understanding the signs of speech delays, seeking professional help, and providing adequate stimulation at home are key to supporting a child's development. Every child develops in their own way, and with the right guidance and support, they can develop optimal speaking abilities. If you experience the signs above, you can consult with a Children's Specialist at Hermina Hospital, Purwokerto and we also have a Growth and Development Clinic for speech therapy.

Access to registration can be done in the following 4 ways:
1. Download the mobile application on Playstore (Type Halo Hermina)
2. Call Call Center 1500488
3. Via website -> www.herminahospitals.com
4. Via the Mobile JKN application

Reference :

1. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/
2. Mayo Clinic. (2023). Speech delay in children https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/language-development/art-20045163
3. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/national-institute-deafness-other-communication-disorders-nidcd
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Important Milestones: Your Child by Two Years. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-2yr.html
5. Brown, L., & Weitzman, E. (2020). The Hanen Centre: Helping Children with Language Delays. https://www.hanen.org/Home.aspx