Speech and Language delay in Children

There are many reasons why a child’s language may be delayed including:



• Physical difficulties – Cleft lip, Palate (variations of a type of clefting congenital deformity caused by abnormal facial development during gestation ), enlarged tongue
• Learning difficulties – Autism
• Hearing Impairments, either temporary (e.g. glue ear) or permanent
• Stutters or Stammers ( speech disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, syllables, words or phrases, and involuntary silent pauses or blocks in which the stutterer is unable to produce sounds)
• Shyness
• Lack of stimulation and language input
• More than one language being learnt


Hearing Impairments:
Hearing difficulties are a common reason for language delay
It is important for parents and early years practitioners to be aware of some of the indicators that a child is not hearing well.



Possible signs that Children are not hearing well include:
• Lack of responds when their name called
• Looking at the speakers mouth intently
• Appearing to be in their “own world”
• Lack of interest in formal group activities (e.g. Story telling)
• Appearing to be forgetful when given instructions
• Mispronouncing words and names


Overall Development & Language delay
• There is a strong link between language development & overall development.
• For example a child needs language to socialise, express their needs and develop thought processes.
• If language is delayed children are more likely to have behavioural stemming for frustration.
Common behavioural Difficulties are:
• Clinging
• Tearfulness
• Aggression
• Difficulties socialising with peers

Check out how to promote language development

Read books with large pictures and letters:

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