Speech therapy – when it is used and who benefits from it

Language enables us to express thoughts, formulate wishes, and connect with others. It helps us in everyday life—for example, when we ask for directions or need to communicate our needs.

Children begin learning to speak gradually from birth. Between the ages of two and three, they usually start forming complete sentences. But what happens when speaking is difficult? Or when children don't learn to speak at an age-appropriate rate? This is precisely where speech therapy comes in.

Speech Therapy for Children

Speech therapy supports language development – ​​but language encompasses more than just speaking. Swallowing and oral motor skills, hearing and voice production, as well as reading and writing, are also part of it.

During routine checkups at the pediatrician's office, language development is also assessed. If a deficit is identified, it is important to first determine the underlying causes. Some speech impediments are age-related and resolve on their own, while others should be addressed early. In some cases, speech therapy can be beneficial as early as age two – for example, if language development is completely absent.

After consulting with your pediatrician, you can schedule a diagnostic and consultation session at a speech therapy practice.

Individual Language Development

Every child develops differently. Generally speaking, children should be able to speak about 50 words by the age of two. Individual factors play a role in this:

   • A refugee child who has only recently come into contact with a new language will naturally not yet be able to reach this word count.

• The psychosocial background also influences language development.

So what can parents do?

Parents can actively support language development by:

- Reading books together

- Using language to accompany everyday situations (e.g., "Now I'm pouring water into your glass.")

- Talking to the child a lot

However, there are also speech disorders that require professional help despite good support.

These include the following typical speech disorders in children:

1. Speech and Language Disorders

Normal language development progresses gradually: Children begin with single words, then short sentences, and by the age of three or four, they are applying basic grammatical rules.

In cases of speech and language delay, these processes are significantly slowed. The risk of developing reading and spelling difficulties later in life increases.

2. Articulation Disorders

A well-known example is lisping. It often disappears on its own with age. However, some children suffer from it – in these cases, targeted therapy can help.

3. Fluency Disorders

These involve repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words, as in stuttering. This disorder can persist into adulthood.

4. Myofunctional Disorders

If the muscles of the mouth and face are weak, this can lead to an incorrect swallowing pattern. This can lead to misaligned teeth and speech problems such as lisping.

5. Auditory Processing and Perception Disorders

These are usually neurological disorders. Sounds and tones are heard, but not processed correctly.

6. Functional Disorders of the Mouth and Face

Children with congenital malformations such as cleft lip and palate are particularly affected. Misaligned teeth or jaw anomalies can also impair speech.

Late Talkers – When Speech Begins Later

Some children speak later than others. If a child speaks fewer than 50 words by the age of two, they are considered a "late talker." Approximately 10–20% of children are affected.

Typical characteristics:

• Slow acquisition of new words

• Often unclear pronunciation

• Limited language comprehension

• Difficulty categorizing (e.g., fruit vs. vegetables)

Not all "late talkers" require speech therapy. One-third catch up by their third birthday – these children are called "late bloomers." If the difficulties persist, speech therapy is recommended.

How can parents support their child?

Parents should not constantly correct their child, but rather guide their language development naturally.

Example:

The child points to a dog and says "Woof woof."

Parents might react: "Yes, that's a dog. It goes woof woof."

Risk Factors for Language Development Delays

Several factors can negatively affect language development:

- Genetic factors

- Premature birth or low birth weight

- Hearing impairments or frequent middle ear infections

- Limited language input in the environment

- Neurological or cognitive developmental disorders

Conclusion

Language is a central component of child development. While many children catch up on language delays on their own, others require targeted support from speech therapy. Parents can positively influence language development – ​​but if there are any concerns, a professional assessment is advisable.