Communication is essential for all individuals to make their needs, wants and ideas known. When a child is diagnosed with Down syndrome, communication can be delayed and will require assistance from a trained professional speech and language therapist. It has been found that the child with Down syndrome can understand communication directed to him, but is simply unable to reciprocate the communication. Early intervention will allow the child to maximize his communication abilities at an earlier age.
Anatomical Differences
Early intervention services by a speech therapist may include sign language, identifying needs and wants with pictures and in some cases an electronic device that synthesizes speech to provide a communication method that is temporary. This temporary or transitional communication system is essential for the future skills that will be built upon. By using sign language early on with the child, when she is at loss for the proper words, she will be able to still communicate and the frustration they would normally feel will be diminished.
Due to the narrow and short anatomic structure of a the ears of a child with Down syndrome, hearing loss due to retained fluid and inflammation in the middle ear often occurs. It is essential for the speech therapist to make notes of the child's ability to hear and of any loss as hearing is essential for the child to be able to imitate words and sounds building their communication skills.
Techniques Used
A speech therapist will also take notice of the child's ability to feed upon birth. The same structures in the mouth and throat that allow a child to speak also allow the child to feed upon birth and as he continues to grow. A speech therapist would develop a plan that would allow the child to strengthen and coordinate the muscles for feeding and for speech.
A speech therapist would work with the children on early language and speech skills with the use of play. These games would incorporate skills developing taking turns, visual skills that require the child to identify the person who is speaking and to be able to look at objects that appear and disappear from their vision. The therapist will work with the child to listen to music and voices for increasing periods of time, allowing for tactile stimulation including placing items in their mouths for oral motor stimulation. The therapist will also have the child play Follow the Leader with their tongue, copying what the therapist is doing with their tongue as the child attempts the same skills. There are several other areas that the therapist will focus on that will allow the child to learn cause and effect. Many parents are naturally able to these basic learning skills with a child with or without disabilities. A therapist will have learned skills that will enable them to be aware of the anatomic difference that may limit or may make difficult for the child to learn these skills without assistance.
Your child with Down syndrome may take longer than other children to say his first word; but when he does, it will be a beautiful moment. With early intervention that focuses on the specific needs of your child, you will see that beautiful moment that much sooner.
Tags: allow child, speech therapist, therapist will, child with, with Down
