Speech Disorder

It is the inability to pronounce speech sounds correctly or fluently due to certain problems that arise during verbal communication.

It is the inability to pronounce speech sounds correctly or fluently due to certain problems that arise during verbal communication. These problems include stuttering while speaking, slow or soft voice, speaking with a stutter or rapidly, tense facial muscles, drooling from the mouth, difficulty accessing words, and sudden contractions of the muscles related to speech.

What is a Speech Disorder?

It is the inability to pronounce speech sounds correctly or fluently due to certain problems that arise during verbal communication. These problems can include stuttering while speaking, having a slow or soft voice, speaking with a stutter or rapidly, tense facial muscles, drooling from the mouth, difficulty accessing words, and sudden contractions of the muscles related to speech. There can be many causes of speech disorders, including brain tumors, head trauma, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, alcohol dependence, stroke, improperly fitting dentures, polyps on the vocal cords, vocal cancer, misuse of the voice, caffeinated beverages, and antidepressant medications.

Speech disorders often begin in childhood. In children who reach the age of speech and have not yet completed this development, language and speech disorders may arise due to various conditions. Sometimes genetic, psychological, and anatomical factors can prevent the development of receptive language. For example, a child with autism may not have a delay in gross motor development but may experience delays in language development. Such children may not wish to communicate, maintain little eye contact, or have problems acquiring language due to different conditions such as hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, or Down syndrome. When we talk about language and speech disorders in childhood, stuttering and articulation disorders (such as saying "tapı" instead of "kapı") are the most commonly observed issues. Additionally, there are children who are three years old and use only single words or do not speak at all. These children belong to a group known as those with delayed speech or delayed language and should be evaluated carefully.

Which Doctor Should You See for a Speech Disorder?

If there are signs of speech disorders in a child, a speech therapist should be consulted

What are the Symptoms of Speech Disorders?

In adults, symptoms may include involuntary movements of the vocal cords while speaking, speaking with a soft voice, difficulty expressing oneself, and struggling with thinking, as well as changes in voice. In children, symptoms can typically be observed around the age of two, where they may still be unable to speak. This is because, by the age of one, a baby is expected to say simple monosyllabic words like “dada, dede, mama.” Later, the child begins to combine two different syllables to form other words like “anne,” and then starts to express people and objects they encounter frequently in daily life. By around two years of age, they can form simple sentences such as “anne al, baba gel.” If a child has a speech disorder, the following symptoms may be observed:

• Failure to start speaking by a certain age
• Delayed development compared to peers
• Attempting to communicate with gestures or single words
• Inability to form sentences
• Stuttering
• Inability to pronounce some speech sounds
• The voice sounding softer or different than normal
• Speaking at a speed that affects understanding
• Omitting sounds and/or syllables

How are Speech Disorders Treated?

The treatment of speech disorders varies depending on the underlying cause of the problem. However, regardless of the cause, treatment with a speech therapist is essential. A detailed assessment is conducted to identify the problem causing the speech disorder. This can be achieved through tests or various interventional procedures. Based on the results of these assessments, a therapy program is developed. This program is implemented at times and frequencies that meet the individual's needs, with the aim of addressing the speech problem through the provided training.

In children, regular check-ups by a pediatrician from birth to two years of age are crucial for the early diagnosis of existing language and speech disorders. During the child’s monthly doctor visits, simple questions can help monitor and identify speech disorders. If a problem arises, it is very important that a multidisciplinary team conducts the assessment. This team, which may include a pediatric neurologist, child psychiatrist, ENT specialist, plastic surgeon, developmental psychologist, educator, audiologist, special education teacher, physiotherapist, and sensory integration specialist, should evaluate the child from their respective perspectives when necessary. In this way, early diagnosis of the causes of language and speech disorders can be made possible, and the therapy can progress more successfully based on the information obtained. Standardized tests, skill inventories, and developmental scales are also used for the diagnosis of language and speech disorders. Once a diagnosis of a language or speech disorder is made, therapy sessions are organized using specific techniques and methods tailored to the problem, typically once a week or two to three times a week. The treatment process varies according to the type, severity, and level of the disorder.

What Should Parents Do About Speech Disorders?

• Observe your child closely until they are two years old.
• If you suspect that your child has a language or speech issue, the problem has begun. Be sure to seek support from a speech and language therapist.
• Make an effort to attend speech and language therapy together as parents.
• Do not postpone the problem by denying it.
• Do not reinforce incorrect speech at home.
• If your child is stuttering while speaking, do not intervene with phrases like “take a breath” or “why are you doing that?”
• Maintain eye contact and do not interrupt them.
• When reading books, choose age-appropriate books and narrate the pictures to create a cohesive story.
• Remember that your child reads and understands your facial expressions very well. Therefore, do not reflect your tension or anxiety; seek support for yourself if you are struggling.
• Play games with your child.
• Send your child to playgroups two to three times a week to enhance their socialization and facilitate easier language acquisition.