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Concept
Speech delay
Summary
Speech delay, also known as alalia, refers to a delay in the development or use of the mechanisms that produce speech. Speech – as distinct from language – is the actual process of making sounds, using such organs and structures as the lungs, vocal cords, mouth, tongue, teeth, etc. Language delay refers to a delay in the development or use of the knowledge of language.
Because language and speech are two independent stages, they may be individually delayed. For example, a child may be delayed in speech (i.e., unable to produce intelligible speech sounds), but not delayed in language. In this case, the child would be attempting to produce an age appropriate amount of language, but that language would be difficult or impossible to understand. Conversely, since a child with a language delay typically has not yet had the opportunity to produce speech sounds, it is likely to have a delay in speech as well.
The warning signs of early speech delay are categorized into age-related milestones, beginning at the age of 12 months and continuing through early adolescence.
At the age of 12 months, there is cause for concern if the child is not able to do the following:
Using gestures such as waving good-bye and pointing at objects
Practicing the use of several different consonant sounds
Vocalizing or communicating needs
Between the ages of 15 and 18 months children are at a higher risk for speech delay if they are displaying the following:
Not saying "momma" and "dada"
Not reciprocating when told "no", "hello", and "bye"
Does not have a one to three word vocabulary at 12 months and up to 15 words by 18 months
Is unable to identify body parts
Displaying difficulties imitating sounds and actions
Shows preference to gestures over verbalization
Additional signs of speech delay after the age of 2 years and up to the age of 4 include the following:
Inability to spontaneously produce words and phrases
Inability to follow simple directions and commands
Cannot make two word connections
Lacks consonant sounds at the beginning or end of words
Is difficult to understand by close family members
Is not able to display the tasks of common household objects
Is unable to form simple 2 to 3 word sentences
Studies show that children diagnosed with speech delay are more likely to present with behavioral and social emotional problems both in childhood and as adults.
Official source
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