Early intervention a necessity?

Is early speech therapy intervention a necessity??

Over about 10 plus years of practice I have come across parents being given various advice.” You spoke at 3 years, wait your child will speak”, ‘Let’s wait for one more year, talk to your child, they will start speaking”, “Gita’s son spoke only by 4, now should you be worried?”

Indeed, should you be worried??

Ask a Developmental pediatrician or speech therapist, and they will say YES! You should be concerned. In terms of normal typical developmental children should start saying their first few words by 1.5 years. And babbling, vocalizing and trying to communicate should come way before 1 year. And by 3 to 4 years your child should start talking in sentences. It is at this stage they start with the What? Who? When? Why? The age of questions and curiosity.

So, if your child doesn’t start asking for things, indicate verbally their needs, express emotions, it’s always safer to consult a speech therapist for an evaluation.

So, will early intervention benefit? Yes, the benefits are many. Any intervention before the 5year birthday is Early intervention. So, what’s important about the 5year mark?

1. Evidence based studies has been given that, children develop majority of their speech and language skills by 3 years. With early intervention in infants and preschoolers we can take advantage of the brain development that is maximal during this period thereby promoting the best prognosis.

2. This is the age of play. So, any skill taught during the early intervention period can be done with play and children learn naturally during play. By observing and interacting with them in their natural stress-free environment learning can be modified and goals set easily.

3. Compensatory strategies can be developed and reinforced early on. For children who tend to be less verbal, pictures, signs, other aids can be added, to augment their communication skills.

4. Family is the best teacher. At this stage parents and caregivers can be models for the child to develop language. Family act as efficient and effective communication partners.

What are some of the tips that can be followed from an early stage to promote communication skills?

• Be a model to your child

• Label objects they are holding or pointing to

• Take turns during play and encourage your child to imitate

• Stoke a child’s natural curiosity by asking questions and making the child lead and show you answers

• Wait patiently for your child to comment, name, exclaim!

• Give them choices and thereby allowing them to be the dominant communication partner.

• Children love all the praise you give them. So, do it!!

Remember earlier is better.