or "uh in between words of a sentence. Your child may also have long pauses during a sentence or draw out a single sound.
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
The doctor will take your childs history and do an exam. The doctor will carefully look at your child's mouth or ask your child to talk. You may be sent to an expert who works with helping people with speech problems. This is a speech pathologist. This expert will want to learn about when your child started having a speech problem. They will also talk with your child to hear how your child speaks. Together, you will make a plan for treatment. ‚
Your child may need to have a hearing test. The doctor or other experts may give your child tests to learn more about your child's speech development. This will be compared to what other children the same age most often do. They may want to learn about how well your child is able to say words, or what words your child uses for objects. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
It is important to treat this condition early. Most often, doctors like to start treatment before a child begins to go to school. This is the time when a child learns speech skills. This is also when a child becomes more skilled at speaking. Treatment for this condition is based on what is causing the problem. Your child may need speech therapy and counseling. ‚
The doctor may suggest surgery. This would need to be done if your child needed to have some muscles or parts of the nose or mouth fixed. ‚
Are there other health problems to treat?
If the speech disorder is caused by other health problems or illnesses, the doctor will treat them. ‚
Will there be any other care needed?
The doctor may suggest other support therapies: ‚
- Speech and language therapy ¢ ˆ ’ This will help your child improve speech with the use of muscle exercises.
- Oral motor therapy ¢ ˆ ’ This therapy will help your child improve chewing and swallowing mouth movements.
Helpful tips
- Practice your childs speech skills by talking and reading to your child every day.
- Take care of your child's mouth and teeth. Oral health care is very important.
- Your child should have a regular hearing check-up or test.
Where can I learn more?
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ‚
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/ ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/sight/speech_disorders.html ‚
Speech Disorder ‚
http://www.speechdisorder.co.uk/childrens-speech-sound-disorders.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚