Speech Delay in Children, Causes and Solutions!
5 Sep 2023 11:36 by Rizki Aprilia
Here is the English translation of the provided text:
"Every child goes through different stages of development. Each stage is valuable in its own right. Therefore, parents should pay special attention to each stage of their child's growth and development.
One of these stages is learning to speak, which typically begins at 6-9 months of age. At this age, children start to learn babbling or repeating syllables, such as ma-ma-ma-ma or pa-pa-pa-pa. By the age of 1 year, most children can usually say "mama" or "papa," and their vocabulary continues to expand with two-word phrases and more.
However, each child progresses at their own pace. Some may go through these stages quickly, while others follow a more typical timeline. But there are also many who experience delays, including delays in speech or speech delay.
Atik Farokah, a lecturer in Midwifery at IIK Bhakta, explains that speech delay is a delay in speech development that is not in line with a child's age. This condition can affect both boys and girls, and there are many cases of speech delay being reported today. However, this doesn't mean it's a normal condition that parents should ignore. On the contrary, parents should take prompt action because untreated speech delay can become a serious concern. Naturally, no parent wants to see their child grow abnormally.
Causes of Speech Delay
The causes of speech delay are varied. Atik explains some common causes of speech delay in children, including:
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Watching TV Too Often One reason is excessive TV or online video watching. Why does this happen? TV and online videos are one-way communication. If a child watches alone, there is no two-way communication or interaction. This lack of interaction can lead to speech delay in children.
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Infrequent Communication between Parents and Child This underscores the importance of communication between parents and children. Parents who rarely engage in conversations with their children are also at risk of contributing to speech delay. This situation is becoming more common today due to the busy schedules of parents, which can reduce the time spent with their children. The lack of stimulation from the environment limits the vocabulary a child acquires, potentially leading to speech delay.
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Hearing Impairment Hearing impairment is another factor that can cause speech delay. It can be caused by various factors, including infections, trauma, congenital abnormalities, and infections during pregnancy.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism can also be a cause of delayed speech in children. If parents suspect this, they should consult a doctor promptly so that the child can receive specialized therapy.
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Brain Disorders Atik further explains that neurological system disorders can also contribute to speech delay. Parents should take quick action in such cases and not wait to consult a doctor. This ensures that the child receives timely and appropriate treatment.
Tips to Prevent Speech Delay
Prevention is often better than treatment. Before it's too late, parents can take steps to prevent speech delay in their children. In this regard, there are several things parents can do, including:
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Spend Quality Time with Your Child Quality time spent together by parents and children is very valuable as it can influence a child's development. Parents should regularly make time to have conversations with their children. 'Engage in conversations with your child often,' Atik advises.
The topics of conversation can vary. Engage in discussions about interesting topics, such as your child's activities at school or their favorite animated characters. When conversing, there is a two-way communication between parents and children, which helps train the child's communication skills. Moreover, it strengthens the bond between the child and the parent.
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Sing Together Songs can be a means of communication between parents and children. Communication skills can be trained through singing. 'Sing together,' says Atik. When singing, children automatically memorize the lyrics, thereby expanding their vocabulary. 'Once they've memorized one song, sing another one with them,' she adds."
Please note that this translation is provided to the best of my ability, but some nuances of meaning may be lost in the translation. Watch further discussions on speech delay exclusively on the Official YouTube channel of IIK Bhakta.
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