Speech and Language Delay versus Disorder
Speech and Language Delay VS Disorder. There’s a difference!
How Speech and Language Pathologists at Speech & Smile can help you to support your child’s communication development.
Let’s start by clarifying these terms.
What is a speech delay? A speech and language delay occurs when there is a slower than typical development of communication skills. The expected skills are developing but at a slower rate than norms.
What is speech disorder? A child is unable to produce speech sounds correctly, fluently or vocally. A disorder occurs when there’s a deviation from what is considered typical speech and communication development.
What is language disorder? A language disorder can occur with receptive language skills (e.g. difficulty understanding others) and/or expressive language skills (e.g. communicating thoughts, ideas, feelings, etc. completely and effectively).
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER…
Children develop at different rates and there is a developmental progression to speech and language development. A sound substitution at 2 years old may be developmentally appropriate but the same error at 5 years old would need specialized instruction to support correct sound productions.
REMEMBER….
~BOTH delays and disorders benefit from intervention with a speech and language pathologist.
~Diagnosis alone is not the solution. A diagnosis is used to label a specific set of characteristics that are experienced by the child. But a diagnosis can open the door the getting the relevant help.
~If you have concerns about a speech and language delay or disorder, please contact a pediatric speech and language pathologist. It is consistently proven by research that early intervention is key.
*We offer complimentary consultations at Speech & Smile to answer questions you may have and determine if our services are the right fit for your child’s needs.
It is important to talk to your pediatrician, however, a speech and language pathologist is specifically trained to diagnose and treat speech and language areas of concern.
Email Jill B (SLP and Owner of Speech & Smile) for a complimentary consultation.