WHEN SHOULD I SEEK ADVICE?

The following information describes some common features of speech, language, stuttering, swallowing, hearing and voice problems.  There are many more features not mentioned here that may also suggest your child is at risk of having difficulties in these areas.  Please consult a Speech Pathologist for further information. Early identification of any problems can assist greatly in treatment. 

Some indicators for seeking help include:

• Speech:
  - If your child doesn't babble.
  - If your child's speech is difficult for most people to understand at approximately 3 years.
  
• Language:
  - If your child is not using single words by 18 months.
  - If your child is not using two word sentences by 2 ½ years.
  - If your child has poorly structured sentences.
  
• Comprehension
  -If your child appears to have difficulty understanding instructions.
  
• Voice
  - If your child's voice has an unusual quality (is husky or nasal).
  
• Stuttering
  - Stuttering often begins between 2-5 years of age.  The earlier treatment occurs, the more effective it will be.  Features suggesting that your child may be stuttering include: repeating parts of words more than twice, prolonging parts of words, eg 'moooon' for 'moon', facial grimaces or hesitations accompanying a stuttered word.
  
• Hearing
  - If your child has frequent ear infections.
  - If your child appears to ignore you
  - If your child does not vocalise like others his age
  - If your child has a hearing impairment.
  
• Swallowing:
  - If your child has swallowing difficulties, coughs or gags while swallowing or has excessive drooling.
  

Intervention can assist your child to develop language skills.