Identification of Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders

Language Disorders

Language is made up of the words we use to share ideas and get what we want. Language includes speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. A child with a language disorder may have trouble with one or more of these skills.

Signs of language problems include:

Birth–3 months Not smiling or playing with others

4–7 months Not babbling

7–12 months Making only a few sounds. Not using gestures, like waving

or pointing.

7 months–2 years Not understanding what others say

12–18 months Saying only a few words

1½–2 years Not putting two words together

2 years Saying fewer than 50 words

2–3 years Having trouble playing and talking with other children

2½–3 years Having problems with early reading and writing. For

example, your child may not like to draw or look at books.

You can help your child learn language by

Talking, reading, and playing with your child.
Listening and responding to what your child says.
Talking with your child in the language that you are most comfortable using.
Teaching your child to speak another language, if you speak one.
Talking about what you do and what your child does during the day.
Using a lot of different words with your child.
Using longer sentences, as your child gets older.
Having your child play with other children.

Speech Sound Disorders

Speech is how we say sounds and words. It is normal for young children to say some sounds the wrong way. Some sounds do not develop until a child is 4, 5, or 6 years old. Signs of a speech sound disorder in young children include:

1–2 years Not saying p, b, m, h, and w the right way in words most of the

time

2–3 years Not saying k, g, f, t, d, and n the right way in words most of the

time. Being hard to understand, even to people who know the

child well.

You can help your child learn to say sounds by

Saying sounds the right way when you talk. Your child needs good speech models.
Not correcting speech sounds. It is okay if your child says some sounds the wrong way.

Stuttering

Most of us pause or repeat a sound or word when we speak. When this happens a lot, the person may stutter. Young children may stutter for a little while. This is normal and will go away over time. Signs that stuttering might not stop include:

2½–3 years

Having a lot of trouble saying sounds or words
Repeating the first sounds of words, like "b-b-b-ball" for "ball"
Pausing a lot while talking
Stretching sounds out, like "fffffarm" for "farm"

You can help your child by

Giving your child time to talk.
Not interrupting or stopping your child while he speaks.
Noticing if your child gets upset when stuttering. Pay attention to how she speaks. Children who stutter may close their eyes or move their face or body when talking.

Voice Disorders

We use our voice to make sounds. Our voice can change when we use it the wrong way. We can lose our voice when we are sick or after talking or yelling a lot. Signs that your child may have a voice disorder include:

Having a hoarse, scratchy, or breathy voice.
Sounding nasal, or like they talk through their nose.

You can help your child by:

Seeing a doctor if your child’s voice sounds different and it does not go away after a short time.
Telling your child not to shout or scream.
Keeping your child away from cigarette smoke.

Hearing Loss

Some children have a hearing loss at birth. Others lose their hearing as they get older. Some signs that your child may have a hearing loss include:

Birth–1 year Not paying attention to sounds

7 months–1 year Not responding when you call her name

1–2 years Not following simple directions

Birth–3 years Having speech and language delays