Speech Therapists Toronto Share About Hydrocephalus
And the Speech and Language Challenges in Children with this Condition
Hydrocephalus is a condition wherein excess fluid accumulates in the brain. Because of this additional fluid, intracranial pressure is increased. This will exhibit acute symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting, and vision problems, among others. However, overtime, this can lead to damaged brain tissues. It can either be present at birth or develop later because of an infection, traumatic injury, or tumors. Although surgical and medical treatment are available, developmental issues can also occur. In the case of speech and language challenges, the help of speech therapists Toronto would inevitably be needed.
Effects Speech and Language
The brain’s language centers can be affected by intracranial pressure, especially for younger children. As such, speech therapists Toronto, expects that this may cause a delay in both speech and language development. Additionally, producing clear sounds of speech is a problem for some children with this condition. Others, on the other hand, cannot communicate or speak correctly. In more severe cases, both speech and language difficulties happen at the same time. Hence, making communication more challenging overall.
Other possible issues kids with hydrocephalus encounter are difficulties in sentence structure, slowness, or difficulty in finding words. Moreover, they may have difficulty with keeping a conversation going when the person they are talking to is speaking too fast. In the same vein, speech therapists Toronto say that this can also be the case when in a noisy setting.
Other Challenges
Hydrocephalus is also usually accompanied by other learning difficulties, explained speech therapists Toronto. They may also involve memory, decreased cognitive thinking, or inability to focus. The factors may complicate speech therapy but not render it impossible. Furthermore, communication might also be more difficult socially. Children are likely to have problems with interpreting jokes, emotions, or conversation rules. This may influence their friendships, confidence, and self-esteem.
How Speech Therapy Helps
Aside from medical and surgical interventions, speech therapy is also important in aiding children with hydrocephalus. A plan is developed by speech therapists Toronto using the strengths and needs of the child, according to their assessment. This usually included activities that engage the child in the areas of clarity, speech, vocabulary, sentence construction, and listening. In the case where a child experiences speaking challenges, therapists can come in with visual tools/aids. Additionally, social communication is also assisted by therapists. They teach children how to take turns, interpret facial reactions, as well as how to remain on topic.
Support from Families, Teachers, and Speech Therapists Toronto
Speech therapy is essential, but better results and faster achievement of goals are possible with additional support at home and in school settings. One way in which the family can assist is through practicing skill development at home through simple games and routines. Likewise, teachers are also instrumental in implementing classroom activities that suit the child in terms of learning pace.
Here at Speech Link, our team of expert and experienced Speech and Language Pathologists are able to guide parents, caregivers, and educators on the best way to help a child with hydrocephalus in their care. Thereby providing teamwork between therapists, teachers, and families to achieve fast progress.