Developmental Needs

Speech Delay

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Facts About Speech Delay

Speech and language disorder describes abnormal language development.  Delayed speech or language development is the most common developmental problem.  It affects five to ten percent of preschool kids.

Children who have spent their early years in orphanages or foster care often have delays in speech or present with a more limited language ability than their same-age peers who have grown up in families.  These delays can be traced to a lack of interaction with adults, and sometimes hearing issues associated with multiple ear infections.   

Speech delay in children who have experienced trauma or early deprivation is extremely common and can be reversed with therapy and interaction. 

Speech Delay Challenges

Identifying the reason behind a child's speech delay is important.  

• Prematurity can lead to many kinds of developmental delays, including speech/language problems.
• Auditory Processing Disorder describes a problem with decoding speech sounds.  These kids can improve with speech and language therapy.
• Neurological problems like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and traumatic brain injury can affect the muscles needed for speaking.
• Autism affects communication.  Speech/language/communication problems are often an early sign of autism. 
• Structural problems like cleft lip or cleft palate can interfere with normal speech.
• Apraxia of speech is a specific speech disorder in which the child has difficulty in sequencing and executing speech movements.

Speech Delay Treatment

An evaluation by a Speech and Language Pathologist of your child after adoption is essential.  

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