by Herman Wilkins

Created on: May 21, 2009

WHEN USING WORDS IS NOT AN OPTION

Many parents, especially first-timers, watch nearly religiously for signs that their children are hitting all the correct milestones for their age. From lifting the head and rolling over in early infancy to first steps and more complex hand eye coordination as they become toddlers, there are universal signs that show a healthy child. But there is one milestone that children pass at very different ages in their early development. Between 2 and 4 years, most children start to form two-word combination and acquire a vocabulary of around 50 words. That is except when they don't.

Einstein, as has been noted in many a publication regarding the subject matter, didn't speak until he was three years old, and everyone knows how that story ended. Again, we are all different in our development. But when developmental problems manifest, it is the duty of the parents to ascertain the size of the problem with the help of doctors or therapists and to seek help if need be. Many books and newspaper and magazine articles have been written on the subject matter as developmental problems have come into public focus over the last couple of decades. Many people are familiar with the signs of a child who has Autism or Apraxia, but what happens if the symptoms of these disorders don't apply and the child is simply a late talker.

When a child is clearly healthy and normal in every other aspect besides speech development, many parents in the past have overlooked the speech aspect as simply cute. But it isn't so cute when guttural noises and chronic scarcity of words prohibits children from articulating their requests. It has become irresponsible for parents to sit back and wait as their children fall behind, lose self esteem and independence and adapt to life without the benefits of language communication, especially when there is so much to be done.

A child may not need occupational therapy to help them get started. In fact it could be as simple as Vitamins and Omega-3s. Most therapist and quite a few doctors have touted the benefits of fish oils, omega-3s for children with speech development issues, but the wait for their efficacy has been hit or miss at best. A new product, recently introduced to the market, called speak, has changed the rules of speech development and correction with the use of the same principles. NourishLife, a wellness company headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago introduced the product, a unique and patented combination of omega-3s, vitamins K and vitamins E, has seen a tremendous response in the success of the product in kids who have been diagnosed with Apraxia of speech due to Autism and for those for whom no such diagnosis has been made. The all-natural product seems to work more efficiently than any fish oil supplement presently on the market and is much more cost efficient than occupational therapy. It was developed by a pediatrician and NourishLife purchased the patent from Children's Hospital of Oakland Research Institute.

It is well known that speech development is an issue that parents for decades have been trying to come to terms with. When parents say the words, use your words it is usually a sign that they want whining or crying to cease. When using words is not an option, both the parent and the child do suffer. Knowing that doctors and therapists are there is one thing, but knowing it is now as easy as going online for dietary supplements has changed the rules in tackling this pervasive problem, means parents can be proactive without going broke if there is no need.

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