Speech delay in children is common, as about 10% of young people around the world suffer from some kind of sound, speech or swallowing disorder in their early years, but they usually overcome it later naturally.
However, it may be disturbing to notice the child, who was able to pronounce and use words, suddenly stops speaking, which is called "Speech & Language Regression" in children.
selective mutism
When noticing a decline in a child's ability to pronounce or to use words that he previously mastered, it is necessary to consult a speech and language specialist.
Once the doctor rules out the possibility of hearing problems, and other possible scenarios such as suffering from autism, he may start testing if the child suffers from "selective mutism".
Selective mutism is a complex condition that is difficult to diagnose, as a young child does not speak except in certain circumstances, and it is often associated with anxiety and social phobia and may have some genetic factors.
Selective mutism may only occur at school or in social settings in which the young child comes into contact with others, and in some cases, it may be associated with fear of someone within the family.
In the event that a child is diagnosed with selective mutism, there are many options that can be used to help the child regain the ability to speak and speak again.
It is important to understand the difference between the deterioration of speech or speech in children and the usual speech delay problem (Pixels).
In addition to a proper diagnosis, the child may benefit from the following, according to the Baby Sign Language website for maternity and child pronunciation:
Reducing general stress in the child's environment.
Increase involvement in relaxing activities.
Play therapy and direct parenting.
Use alternative communication such as pointing boards.
Cognitive therapy and prescription drugs.
The difference between speech deterioration and speech delay problems
It is important to understand the difference between speech or speech impairment in children and the typical speech delay that occurs in a child's early years.
Speech or language delays are fairly common and can be caused by several different factors.
Speech delay disorder is characterized by a child's failure to meet one or more developmental milestones related to speech, language, and the development of their ability to speak and express themselves.
This may mean that the child is slowly progressing from his peers when learning language and communication.
However, it is important to know that every child learns and develops at his own pace, and some late-achieving children may catch up on their own without the need for intervention.
But if a child has a severe and worrisome speech delay, it is often helpful to seek evaluation from a pediatric speech-language pathologist.
In contrast to delayed speech, the deterioration of speech and language in a child is a sudden decline or disappearance of the skills that the child had already mastered for a certain period.
Signs of slurred speech
There are several signs of slurred speech, including:
The child stops using previously learned words or speech sounds and phonetic signs with which he was expressing his needs.
The child who used to use the words "mama" and "dada" returned to gurgling and making incomprehensible sounds, as if he had lost his ability to use words.
After the child shows social skills with his peers and the children around him, he suddenly stops looking for other children to play with and remains secluded.
After the child is able to point to things around him out of need or necessity, he stops trying to get the attention of others in the usual way.
It is necessary to seek the help of a speech therapist to treat any problems that may be responsible for the decline in the child's ability to speak (pixels).
Reasons for a child's sudden deterioration of speech
While the main factor of speech and speech deterioration in children is that it is often a sign of autism or other developmental disorders affecting the child, there are some other reasons why a child may progress with less communication skills than he did before.
The Goldman Center Medical Center explains these factors as follows:
The child's mastery of other skills: Sometimes children show signs of decline in one area of development they are accustomed to when they are working on mastering another.
For example, a child may have some speech regression when they start potty training on their own.
Severe life changes: A child may experience slurred speech during or after a major event in their life, such as moving the family to a new home, entering a new nursery, or having new siblings.
The child may suffer a deterioration in his natural abilities to grow when he gets sick, fever and others at frequent intervals.
Ways to deal with the problem
Children can start to be helped by promoting relaxation and practicing speaking again, as stress can create a lot of stress in the home.
And children are aware of this, no matter how small and unaware or inattentive they may seem to the parents at home.
It is also necessary to exchange a natural conversation that does not pressure the child or make him feel nervous, and that he must prove himself and speak to the parents. Rather, it is recommended to deal with him normally and notice the gradual improvement with time.
Finally, it is necessary to seek the help of a speech therapist to treat any problems that may be responsible for the decline in the child's ability to speak.