The rudiments of speech are formed in the first months of life. By the year normal, the child pronounces simple monosyllabic words, and a half - builds simple sentences. However, it happens that problems arise with this, and then the diagnosis is “delayed speech development in children”. Parents should not be afraid of this phrase. It primarily means that the child needs help. And the sooner you start corrective exercises and treatment, the faster you can get the result.
The delay in speech development in children can be due to several reasons. One of the most common is the lack of the right language environment. That is, the baby’s speech is not stimulated, guessing all his desires on the slightest sign. In this case, the fault for the lag in the development of the child lies mainly with the parents.
In addition , the delay in speech development in children can occur due to the influence of harmful factors on the child in the prenatal or perinatal period. Birth injuries, asphyxia, genetic or infectious diseases - all this can affect the fact that the child will pronounce the first words later than their peers.
If at 2-3 years the baby’s speech is slurred or practically absent, you should contact a specialist (speech therapist, neurologist, psychologist). They will prompt further actions, because it is quite possible that medical treatment will be needed. Some parents wait 4-5 years and only then they start to sound the alarm. This position is fundamentally wrong, because time may be lost , and many other mental processes depend on how developed verbal communication is .
Treatment for delayed speech development depends on the reasons that cause this lag. In some cases, it is entirely possible to confine oneself only to corrective exercises with a speech therapist or psychologist or stimulating tasks from the side of the parents. In other situations, you can not do without special medication (nootropic drugs), especially if this lag is secondary and is associated with another, more serious mental illness.
Delayed speech development in a child, if any, should be diagnosed as early as possible. Parents should not be afraid of a “terrible” diagnosis. After all, if you start classes on time, then attend a specialized preschool institution, then most likely, by the age of 7, the child will reach the same level as his peers. Otherwise, it is quite possible that the baby will have difficulties in learning to write, read and lag in the formation of other mental processes.
If the delay in speech development in children is a secondary defect due to a more serious disease, then the situation will be much more complicated. And you should start practicing with your baby as soon as possible.
If the child practically does not speak in 2-3 years, observe him. There are simple tasks that will help determine the level of his mental development. And if this indicator is normal, therefore, it is worth starting to eliminate the reason why speech is developing poorly.