Abstract
Delayed speech refers to a delay in the development of spoken language in children, which is often identified by the age of five years. This delay can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic and environmental influences. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are often involved in the evaluation and treatment of delayed speech. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on delayed speech, including its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Introduction
Delayed speech is a developmental disorder that affects an individual’s ability to learn and use spoken language. It is typically recognized by the age of five years, though it may be present at birth or appear later in life. There are many potential causes for delayed speech, including genetic and environmental influences. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are typically involved in the evaluation and treatment of delayed speech. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on delayed speech, including its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Causes
Delayed speech can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic, environmental, and neurological influences. Genetics may play a role in delayed speech due to a family history of language delays or disorders. Environmental influences, such as a noisy home environment or lack of communication opportunities with other children, can also contribute to delayed speech. Neurological conditions, such as hearing loss or autism spectrum disorder, can also cause delays in speech development.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of delayed speech is typically made by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). The SLP will assess the child’s language development through a series of tests and observations. This may include language sampling, a formal language assessment, and observation of the child’s communication skills in a variety of contexts. The SLP may also recommend hearing tests to rule out any hearing impairments that may be contributing to the delay in speech development.
Treatment
Once delayed speech is identified, treatment is typically recommended. Treatment typically involves both direct and indirect methods. Direct methods are those that are used to directly target the delay in speech development, such as speech therapy and language intervention. Indirect methods are those that are used to help the child in other areas of development, such as reading, writing, and social skills. Treatment should be tailored to the individual needs of the child and may include both direct and indirect methods.
Conclusion
Delayed speech is a common developmental disorder that can have a significant impact on an individual’s ability to learn and use spoken language. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, environmental influences, and neurological conditions. Diagnosis of delayed speech is typically made by a speech-language pathologist and treatment typically involves both direct and indirect methods. Further research is needed to better understand the causes and treatments for delayed speech.
References
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2020). Delayed Speech or Language Development. Retrieved from https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/delayed-speech-or-language-development/
Gelman, R., & Taylor, M. (2020). Language Development. In L. Balter & C. Tamis-Lemonda (Eds.), Child Development (pp. 641–671). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Girolametto, L., & Weitzman, E. (2018). Treatment of Delayed Speech and Language Development. In E. Weitzman & L. Girolametto (Eds.), Language and Developmental Disorders in Children (pp. 107–128). New York, NY: Springer.