Adverse Childhood Experiences and Speech Development
Many of us may have lived a life with more happy childhood memories than bad ones. Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky as there are some children who experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs. These are traumatic events in childhood which may be in the form of a loss of a parent or parents, parents with mental health issues or substance abuse, or neglect. Likewise, is can be in form of family dysfunction, violence, and the like. The event would be so stressful, and without much Positive Childhood Experiences or PCEs to balance it out, that it affects the child’s development. Aside from the physical, psychological and emotional issues that a child may incur as a result of this, speech and language delay can also be expected. Oftentimes overlooked, this can lead to poor social and academic standing adding further to the emotional and psychological issues. That is why, in order to help a child fully heal and cope from ACEs, looking for a “speech specialist near me” is important.
The Effect of ACEs to Speech and Language Development
The development of speech and language are complex processes that need a safe, secure, and supported environment in order to flourish. In the event of ACEs, this safety, security, and support are compromised therefore leading to difficulties in these areas. Some examples include cases of neglect wherein the child has little to no chance of exchanging conversations with their parents or caregivers.
Similarly, children with parents undergoing mental health issues or substance abuse fail to get positive reinforcements in their efforts to communicate. Both examples can result in late to no development of vocabulary, sentence construction and general communication skills.
Furthermore, children in a household that is hostile and traumatic can have problems with maintaining focus. Therefore making it difficult to follow directions, understand more intricate language concepts, and engage in meaningful conversation.
This manifests into speech and language issues such as articulation disorders, stuttering, and failure to communicate socially. In order to mitigate this, it is vital to be able to find a “speech specialist near me.” This is to help the child advance in their speech and language skills development.
The Role of a Speech Specialist Near Me
For a child experiencing speech or language delays, seeking a “speech specialist near me” to help is crucial. With a speech-language pathologist (SLP), they can assess the child’s level of communication skills and any issues that might be present. Moreover, they can also identify if ACEs are influencing their speech development. Following the identification of issues and possible causes, the SLP will then work with the child and their caregivers. This includes the development of strategies and formulation of interventions in order to support language growth. Just like any other therapy, early intervention is key to achieving faster and better outcomes. All of this helps prevent more severe communication challenges that may arise in the future. For a child who is struggling because of ACEs, helping them resolve these issues early on can help them catch up to their peers.
Get in Touch with a Reliable and Effective Speech Specialist Near Me
If you’re in a quest to help a child who has ACEs, it is important to quickly take measures. This is to help them get through its effects. Look for a “speech specialist near me” to get in touch with us here at SpeechLink. Our team of speech specialists use a variety of techniques to help children develop language skills. These include play-based therapy, where children engage in activities that promote language learning in a natural setting. It can also be in form of art sessions where kids are encouraged to express themselves through painting or drawings and discuss them. Additionally, our professional, proficient, and expert SLPs can help children develop coping strategies. So they can manage emotional stress, which can, in turn, improve their communication abilities.
Get your child started in their speech therapy journey. Schedule your consultation and assessment as soon as possible.