Speech and Language Delays in Premature Babies
A baby is called premature when born earlier than 37 weeks of pregnancy. Babies born before their due date do not experience all the normal growth stages, which help the brain and body grow and develop. Due to being delivered early, the brain and several other body systems may lack full development. This can change how a child learns to communicate with people around them. That is why concerned parents cannot help themselves but look for a “speech specialist near me” to assist with helping their child’s speech and language development.
How Premature Birth Affects Communication
Speech and language usually develop in a certain order. However, preterm babies may not grow following this pattern. This is because problems with muscle, hearing, or thinking ability are often seen in people with neurological conditions from being born too early. In these cases, some premature infants find feeding difficult during the first few days which may weaken the muscles in their mouths. These are the muscle groups that help with eating and talking. For some people born too early, they may deal with hearing impairments as more premature infants have ear infections and fluid buildup. This eventually leads to hearing difficulties as they may struggle to pick up sounds or form words. Therefore, parents should seek help from a “speech specialist near me” to intervene as early as possible.
Signs of Speech Delay in Premature Children
Speech delays look different for every child. If the baby was born prematurely, some of the noticeable things may include absence of early sounds like cooing or babbling by 6 months. This may also exhibit the inability to say basic words by age 12 and 18 months. Parents and caregivers may also notice that the child has trouble following simple instructions and shows frustration when trying to express needs.
In these cases, tracking of the child’s development should be based on his or her corrected age. This means, one should start counting from the due date, not the actual birth date. Having an expert from searching for a “speech specialist near me,” to assess your child accurately would be a great help.
How Speech Therapy Helps
Children who have difficulties with speech or language can benefit from speech therapy. The therapy given to premature babies is tailored to suit their immediate needs. Your “speech specialist near me” would be able to focus on sounds, movements, or how the child eats. They can also guide parents and caregivers on how to help their kids learn to communicate at home.
Therapy sessions at their home, at a clinic, or school, depending on needs and preferences. Additionally, activities can include interactive activities such as songs, games, and storytelling to make it more effective.
What Happens During Therapy? speech specialist near me
Often, therapy sessions are filled with activities similar to playing. Your “speech specialist near me” can mix various activities such as games, songs, and stories. These varieties can help children develop language skills effortlessly. Some kids may receive therapy at their school or home. Sometimes, individuals go to a clinic to receive treatment. Every plan is specifically planned for the unique needs of the individual child.
Early Help Makes a Difference speech specialist near me
If you’re concerned, talk to your child’s doctor and look for a “speech specialist near me.” Here at Speech Link, we have a team of expert, professional, and effective Speech-Language Pathologists who can provide accurate assessment. For these results, personalized care and treatment plans are created to achieve the best results in the shortest possible time. Start your child’s speech therapy journey with us now and give them the best tools in their life.