From the Guidelines
If you suspect your child has a speech delay, consult a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist for evaluation as soon as possible, as early intervention is crucial for better outcomes, especially in cases of autism spectrum disorder, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, and other developmental disorders 1. Key steps to address speech delays in pediatric patients include:
- Scheduling an assessment with a speech-language pathologist to identify underlying causes, such as velopharyngeal dysfunction, hearing loss, or cognitive impairments 1
- Following through with recommended therapy sessions, typically 1-2 times per week, which may involve exercises to strengthen oral muscles, practice making specific sounds, and improve overall communication skills 1
- Practicing speech exercises at home daily, as directed by the therapist, to reinforce new skills and promote language development 1
- Creating a language-rich environment by talking, reading, and singing to your child frequently, which can help stimulate language growth and reduce the risk of speech delays 1
- Limiting screen time and prioritizing face-to-face interactions, as excessive screen time has been linked to an increased risk of speech delays and other developmental disorders 1 Some common causes of speech delays in pediatric patients include:
- Autism spectrum disorder, which can affect communication skills and social interaction 1
- 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, which can cause palatal abnormalities, hearing loss, and speech delays 1
- Otitis media with effusion, which can lead to hearing loss and speech delays if left untreated 1
- Developmental disorders, such as Down syndrome, which can affect cognitive and linguistic development 1 It's essential to note that every child develops at their own pace, but if you're concerned about your child's speech development, it's always better to seek professional advice sooner rather than later, as early intervention can significantly improve outcomes 1.
From the Research
Causes of Speech Delay in Pediatric Patients
The causes of speech delay in pediatric patients can be categorized into primary and secondary causes. Primary causes refer to speech delays with no known etiology, while secondary causes are attributed to another condition such as hearing loss, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, physical speech problems, or selective mutism 2, 3, 4.
Primary Causes
Primary speech and language delay can be due to various factors, including:
- Developmental speech and language delay
- Expressive language disorder
- Receptive language disorder
Secondary Causes
Secondary speech and language delays can be attributed to:
- Hearing loss
- Intellectual disability
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Physical speech problems
- Selective mutism
- Oropharyngeal anomalies
- Middle ear infections
- Intrapartum complications
- Prolonged sucking habits
- Family history of speech and language delay
Risk Factors
Several risk factors have been identified, including:
- Male sex
- Prematurity
- Low birth weight
- Late birth order
- Larger family size
- Maternal intimate partner violence
- Family history of speech and language delay
- Prolonged sucking habits
- Oropharyngeal anomalies
- Hearing problems
- Middle ear infections
- Multilingual family environment
- Family history of screen viewing for more than two hours 2, 5, 6