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A lack of language or the ability to speak clearly can isolate children. It is therefore vital that children with speech and language disorders get expert help as early as possible.

One in 10 children under five experience difficulty with speech and language. For some it will be for a short period of time before they catch up with other children but for others the difficulties they experience are more serious and can have more of a long term effect. Some difficulties with speech are due to learning difficulties or physical conditions.

What is meant by;

1. Communication; the exchange of messages and meanings - very young babies communicate by facial expressions and body language in addition to crying, gurgling and cooing

2, Language; structured system used to convey meaning. Can be spoken or written or signed.

3. Speech; Sounds used to communicate language. Children gain control of their facial muscles gradually and so the ability to pronounce some sounds can take longer than others.

Learning to speak is a complex process which depends on a child's ability to understand what they hear and the physical ability to form sounds. While children are learning to pronounce words clearly they must also learn how to use those words to say what they mean.

Children also have to learn to listen at a very early stage of their development and to take turns; when one person speaks the other listens and then when they finish what they are saying the other person responds. Playing 'peek a boo' type games helps babies to learn this rule.

Semantic-and Pragmatic disorders

Semantic; the meanings of words and phrases. Children with semantic difficulties struggle to understand the meaning of sentences or words.

Abstract concepts such as feelings (sad, puzzled, jealous) or status (important, official) can be particularly hard for these children to understand.

They often misunderstand and take literally such phrases as "Cut it out!", "You're driving me round the bend or up the wall" or "He's a push-over".

Often it can be difficult for children with a semantic disorder to work out the topic or key information in a sentence. They may struggle with understanding written language.

Pragmatic; the use of social communication

Children with pragmatic difficulties struggle with using language socially. They;

- do not understand how to take turns in conversations

- interrupt

- often seem to be unaware of what the other person wants to know - and may say too much or too little about the topic of conversation.

- say things that are inappropriate or irrelevant.

Some children have both semantic and pragmatic difficulties.

Your G.P. Paediatrician or Health Practcioner should be able to guide you as to what your child should be able to do with regard to speech and language as he/she grows and develops. It is importanat to remember that children develop at different rates and if your child begins to talk a bit later than his/her brothers and sisters or other children of the same age it is not usually a cause for concern.

Speech therapists can help you and your child to overcome a variety of different disorders and physical difficulties with speech and language. Ask to be referred to one or take your child to a drop in clinic for an assessment.

You may be told that the difficulties your child is experiencing are within the normal range of development which means you can stop worrying or you may be right in thinking that your child has aproblem in which case you have taken the first step towards getting the help your child needs.

Learn more about this author, Dee James.
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