May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month
May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and SpeechWorks is using the opportunity to inform families about their child’s communication development—as well as the benefits of early intervention for children with speech and language delays or disorders.
“Communication happens in the first weeks and months of life—and continues to evolve long after children start to speak,” explains (full name, credentials, place of employment).
“The skills that we expect to see at certain ages are known as milestones, and they provide parents and caregivers with a roadmap of how their child’s development will unfold. Being aware of these early milestones is so important—in part because good speech and language skills are critical for future literacy skills and academic success.”
Fujimoto encourages families to consult the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) recently updated milestones checklists. They provide the communication skills that most children will demonstrate between the ages of birth and 5 years.
Here are some examples of these communication milestones:
- Quiets or smiles when you talk (birth to 3 months).
- Vocalizes different vowel sounds—sometimes combined with a consonant—like uuuuuummm, aaaaaaagoo, or daaaaaaaaaa (4–6 months).
- Babbles long strings of sounds, like mamamama, upup, or babababa (7–9 months).
- Points, waves, and shows or gives objects (10–12 months).
- Follows directions—like “Give me the ball,” “Hug the teddy bear,” “Come here,” or “Show me your nose” (13–18 months).
- Puts two or more words together—like “more water” or “go outside” (19–24 months).
- Says their name when asked (2–3 years).
- Tells you a story from a book or a video (3–4 years).
- Recognizes and names 10 or more letters, and can usually write their own name (4–5 years).
Using Milestones Checklists
ASHA’s checklists provide the age ranges when the majority (75%) of children demonstrate particular skills. However, each child develops differently, (last name) stresses—even within the same family. Also, skills develop over time—not on a child’s exact birthday. This is why milestones are presented in ranges (e.g., “7–9 months” rather than “at 7 months”).
If a child doesn’t meet one milestone in an age range, an evaluation isn’t necessarily needed, Fujimoto says. On the other hand, if a child lacks several skills, is not learning new skills, or is losing skills that they once had, then she encourages families to consult their pediatrician and visit a speech-language pathologist.
Addressing a potential developmental delay or disorder early is strongly advised. Professional help can be effective at any age. However, birth to 3 years—which is the period of life when the brain is most flexible—is the ideal time window for care, Fujimoto stresses.
Speech and language disorders are among the most common conditions that young children experience. Generally, these disorders are treatable—and, in some cases, they can be reversed or prevented. Too often, parents are told to “wait and see” if their children’s difficulties go away on their own. Yet, left unaddressed, speech and language difficulties can lead to academic and social difficulties as well as behavior problems.
An evaluation doesn’t necessarily result in intervention or treatment. It’s not unusual for families to be told that their child’s development is on track. “Having that confirmation can help end unnecessary stress,” Fujimoto notes. “In cases where a child is found to have a communication delay or disorder, that child’s family can then learn more about their options and set their child on a helpful path. Intervention can take many forms, and families’ preferences drive the care approach, ultimately.”
For more information about communication disorders in children, visit IdentifytheSigns.org. To schedule an evaluation with SpeechWorks, contact 262-490-5653.
Learn more:
Jann Fujimoto, MS CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and owner of SpeechWorks. in Oconomowoc, WI. SpeechWorks helps children become confident communicators.