Speech and Language Issues in Children with Angelman Syndrome
Angelman Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that impacts the development of a child. Children with this disorder are usually happy and outgoing, despite having their own difficulties in terms of speech and language. However, most of them are verbally challenged-meaning, there is very little to no verbal communication, making it particularly challenging to connect and understand them. Speech therapist, Mississauga, shares more details about this.
Angelman Syndrome and How it Affects Communication
A lot of children with Angelman Syndrome cannot express themselves through words. Therefore, most would use gestures, sounds, or expressions. Despite this, their language perception is usually more effective than their skill in language usage. This means, they have the ideas of how to say something, but they cannot find the words. Because of this disconnect, it can lead to frustration.
Role of a Speech Therapist Mississauga
A speech therapist, Mississauga and surrounding area, plays an important role in aiding these children with this condition. For one, they can use picture boards, sign language, or speech-generating devices as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools. Moreover, these tools offer children trusted means to communicate needs, choices, and to connect with other people. Additionally, comprehension is another part that can be strengthened in therapy. This is where children can follow instructions and have conversations. Lastly, speech therapy sessions are also needed for those children who are able to produce sound and have some verbal skills. A speech therapist, Mississauga, can help them strengthen the muscles and have better coordination needed to produce the sounds which are building blocks for forming words and phrases.
Family Involvement Is Key
It has always been known that coordination among parents, teachers, and caregivers are essential in order to have favorable therapy outcomes. A speech therapist, Mississauga, can provide support strategies that can be used in between therapy sessions to enhance progress. At home or in school, these kids can practice gestures and model communication tools. Moreover, the encouragement that they receive is also a good motivation to ensure consistency and improvement. Rewarding even minor progress will contribute to motivation and will decrease frustration.
Why Early Support Matters
Early treatment makes for better outcomes at a faster pace. This still holds true even in the case of Angelman syndrome. When children are introduced to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools when they are young, they tend to be more independent and social. In cases where verbal communication can be restrictive, identifying alternative forms of communication will provide children with the means of connecting with their families, teachers, and peers. Every learned word, every gesture, and every chosen symbol will be a step toward independence and self-confidence.
Flying Toward Connection
A child with Angelman Syndrome, although having an incurable condition, can have a better quality of life with the assistance of A speech therapist, Mississauga, and nearby areas. Speech therapy sessions create avenues of communication. Likewise, this is where children can gain useful communication skills with patience, persistence, and the help of the right support. Here at Speech Link, we know that these skills open up opportunities for learning, relationships, and self-expression, which help every child live with greater confidence and fulfillment. That is why we make sure to make our Speech and Language Pathologists available and reachable to children and their families who are in need of our services.
If you have a child with Angelman Syndrome or any other condition, do not hesitate to reach out.