Speech, Language and Communication

Speech, Language, and Communication are 3 terms that are often used interchangeably, but do in fact have their own distinct meanings. It is important to know the difference, so that you can be the best possible help to your child. From infancy there are several pre-speech skills that need constant attention. Breathing, eating and swallowing all use the same systems as speech and are the basic building blocks that will later develop into speech.

This is why it is crucial to have a speech-language pathologist (SLP) begin working with your child as early as possible. The SLP should be highly qualified, and ready to individualize a program to meet your child's needs. Be willing to use alternate communication systems, for example sign language, until your child is able to speak. Methods used should have already proved successful with other children. And very importantly, the SLP should educate the family on what exactly is being done and why, so that practice is happening daily, and is not limited to therapy sessions.

Children acquire language at different rates. A child with Down syndrome usually has many more obstacles to overcome. Hearing loss, both temporary and permanant, ear infections, vision problems and tactile difficulties. Children with Down syndrome are often over or under sensitive to touch around the mouth and face. Auditory memory, also know as verbal short term memory, can be another problem. If you cannot remember words long enough to process them and respond, communication is much more challenging. Many people with Down syndrome learn better with a visual approach.

Abstract thinking is the ability to understand intangible concepts. Because of the cognitive delays, abstract thinking affects the ability to understand many aspects of spoken language. Word retrieval can also be a challenge, making it difficult to product longer, complex sentences. Some speech problems may not be apparent until much later. For example, childhood verbal apraxia, a motor planning problem involving speech. One of the main characteristics is inconsistency. A child may be able to produce sounds or even words spontaneously, but when put on the spot and requested they seem to freeze. Reversing sounds within words is also common. These are just some of the problems your child could be facing.

A doctor at Boston Children's Hospital once said that appropriate behavior and the ability to communicate and be understood are the two most important factors affecting the quality of life for a person with Down syndrome. For many children with Down syndrome, receptive language, what they understand, is greater than their expressive language skills. Social language skills are often a strength for children with Down syndrome. Focusing on good social skills is very important. Months or even years before they can talk, a child can learn to sign please and thank you. Lots of exposure to social situations will also help with skills such as turn taking and waiting on line.

Many children are very expressive and it can be a fun exercise for every one to practice making sad, happy, surprised and angry faces. Blowing bubbles and using whistles is another fun way to practice breath control. There are many ways to help your child as they learn to communicate with the world around them.

For more information about apraxia Click Here.

Children with Down syndrome, and any other developmental disability can benefit tremendously from learning Sign Language

Parents of children with speech delays have many questions. It is so important to have access to quality information. A great site to check out that was written by a Speech Language Pathologist is Speech-Language-Development. This excellent site is very parent friendly and even offers the opportunity to e-mail your questions.

Another very useful site is icommunicatetherapy. This site is "dedicated to enhancing speech, language and communication for all. It offers a wealth of information on topics such as apraxia, phonological delays, stuttering, dysarthria, and aphasia. Communication development sections cover many topics including special needs, learning difficulties, hearing impairment, autism and brain injury.

This comprehensive site has both adult and children sections. Links to therapy products, additional resources, a book store and the opportunity to become a member and receive more information and updates. Visit them at icommunicate.

Do not be discouraged if your child is not talking yet. Receptive language skills are usually a strength for children with DS. There are constant opportunities to combine social, communication and language skills with even the smallest of infants. As you would with any child, talk to your baby all day. Discuss what you are doing as you engage in day to day activities such as feeding, dressing and diaper changes. Whenever you encounter someone greet them with a friendly hello and have your baby face that person and take their hand and wave a greeting. You may have to do hand over hand on this for quite a while, but you are teaching you child good communication skills.

When you leave, again, take your child's hand and have them wave goodbye. Reinforce with the words, for example, "Lets say goodbye to our friends." You will quickly find yourself looking for opportunities to use this fun game. During this time you are working on many important skills. First, teaching your child to pay attention, is a vital prerequisite for later language development.

There are many skills that are essential for language to develop and progress. Many of them are linked to sensory development. Research has shown that children typically learn to process sensory information in a particular order. They first explore the world using tactile skills, touching and mouthing, objects. They then move on to visual skills and finally to auditory skills. Moving through these stages is crucial as it establishes "feedback loops" from the mouth, tongue, eyes and ears, to the brain.

As children with DS usually move through these stages slower, it is understandable why they develop language skills later. Always remember that even before you hear your child's first word, all the work you are doing has a purpose. It is crucial and will eventually pay off. It is natural to become disheartened at times, but just accept this as a normal feeling and keep working! Your child will find many ways to show you that they understand you and wish to interact with the world around them.