Signs Of Language Delays In Preschool Children
In this article, we will review the signs of language delays in preschoolers so that you can give them the help they need in a timely manner.
All children develop at their own pace, and therefore it is difficult to define what a normal pace should be. However, there are still some criteria for what a child’s development usually looks like that will help you identify if your child is developing normally.
For example, a child who is 20 months old and has never said a single word should be examined by a doctor. It is important to identify if the child has a hearing problem or a speech-related problem.
It is important to detect these problems early in order to offer quick solutions and prevent further problems. Therefore, we will address here signs of language delays in preschool children.
Signs of language delays in preschool children
Here are some signs of language delays divided into age groups. Contact your pediatrician or BVC immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.
2 years of age
The child has difficulty pronouncing words and can only imitate speech patterns without building complete sentences. The child speaks a few words that he or she repeats over and over again and cannot communicate clearly with others using speech alone.
The child may have difficulty understanding simple instructions. In some cases, he or she may not be able to produce any type of speech at all, not even a single word.
3 years of age
The child has problems communicating with other people and may not even be able to come up with short phrases. The lack of communication can make the child very frustrated.
In many cases, this frustration can manifest itself in outbursts of rage and behavioral problems. The child cannot explain what he or she wants or needs.
4 years of age
At this age, it can be alarming when a child does not understand how to put together sentences or understand simple instructions. A warning sign to stick to is if the child has difficulty using “I” and “you” properly.
As with 3-year-olds, poor communication can lead to frustration and inappropriate behavior.
In Sweden, many county councils have begun to use a screening test designed to be used during the health visit at 4 years at BVC. The test shows whether the child has an age-typical language development or whether the child needs further language investigation.
5 years of age
A clear warning sign at this age is when the child does not understand simple prompts or can not pronounce his own name or the name of a loved one correctly.
Other warning signs of language delays are if the child has problems using the imperfect and past tense correctly, or if he or she does not use the plural.
The child may also be unable to retell stories or events that occurred during the day at school.
If you notice that your child has trouble speaking or shows signs of language delays, do not hesitate. Go directly to your pediatrician or BVC so that they can make an appropriate assessment of your child’s situation.
It is very important to get a quick diagnosis to find the solutions that your child needs. With early intervention, these speech delays do not have to affect your child’s other development and well-being at all.
