Children develop skills like walking and talking at their own pace. While some start early, others take a bit longer. If you notice your child struggling significantly with certain skills, it's important to pay attention. Here are signs of speech, language, stuttering, feeding, and orofacial myofunctional disorders in children, along with the expected age range for each.
Feeding and Swallowing Disorders in Children
Feeding and swallowing problems can affect a child's health, learning, and social interactions. These issues include difficulty with sucking, chewing, or swallowing food or liquid. They might be linked to medical conditions or occur without a clear cause.
Signs of Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
Your child might have feeding or swallowing issues if they:
arch their back or stiffen when feeding
cry or fuss when feeding
fall asleep when feeding
have problems breastfeeding
have trouble breathing while eating and drinking
refuse to eat or drink
eat only certain textures, such as soft food or crunchy food
take a long time to eat
pocket (which means to hold food in their mouth)
have problems chewing
cough or gag during meals
drool a lot or have liquid come out of their mouth or nose
get stuffy during meals
have a gurgly, hoarse, or breathy voice during or after meals
spit up or throw up a lot
are not gaining weight or growing
It's important to note that not every child will display all these signs, but they can put your child at risk for various health issues.
Language Disorders in Children
Language includes listening, speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. Children with language disorders might have trouble with one or more of these skills.
Signs of Language Problems
Signs of language difficulties at different stages include:
Birth–3 months: Not smiling or playing with others
4–7 months: Not babbling
7–12 months: Making only a few sounds. Not using gestures, like waving or pointing.
7 months–2 years: Not understanding what others say
12–18 months: Saying only a few words
1½–2 years: Not putting two words together
2 years: Saying fewer than 50 words
2–3 years: Difficulty playing and talking with other children
2½–3 years: Difficulty with early reading and writing (e.g. your child may not like to draw or look at books)
Encouraging your child's language development involves activities like talking, reading, playing, and using diverse vocabulary. Consider seeking speech therapy for toddlers and kids if you notice persistent language difficulties.
Speech Sound Disorders in Children
Speech involves saying sounds and words. It's normal for young children to mispronounce some sounds, but persistent difficulties might indicate a speech sound disorder.
Signs of Speech Sound Disorders
Signs at different ages include:
1–2 years: Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds (p, b, m, h, w)
2–3 years: Difficulty with additional sounds (k, g, f, t, d, n). Difficult to understand, even to people who know the child well.
Support your child's speech development by modeling correct sounds without correcting them directly. Consider consulting a speech therapist near me for professional guidance.
Stuttering in Children
Many individuals experience occasional pauses or repetitions of sounds or words during speech. It's common for young children to exhibit stuttering temporarily, which typically resolves on its own with time. However, persistent stuttering may require attention.
Signs of Stuttering
Signs that stuttering may persist include:
2½–3 years: Significant difficulty in speech fluency, with repetitions, prolonged sounds, or frequent pauses
Support children who stutter by giving them time to express themselves without interruption or correction. Consult a professional specializing in speech therapy for kids for comprehensive evaluation and intervention if needed.
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders in Children
These disorders may affect facial and oral muscle and bone growth, impacting eating, speaking, and breathing.
Signs of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
Signs of OMDs may include:
Mouth breathing or difficulty nasal breathing
Limited tongue movement
Challenges with eating or swallowing
Dental misalignments
Persistent tongue thrusting
Difficulty articulating certain sounds
Excessive drooling
Difficulty closing lips to swallow
Take Action
Early intervention is key. If you're concerned about your child's development, schedule a free phone consultation with our professional team at Spark Pediatric Therapy, specializing in speech therapy for toddlers and kids. We're here to help you and your child every step of the way.
References: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), www.asha.org.