A study published in the "Child: Care, Health, & Development Journal" has found that half of pre-schoolers with delayed language skills development do not get the professional help they need. The study by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia followed 900 pre-schoolers.
Children with communication problems that do not get the help they need are at the risk of problems associated with behavior and mental health as well as long-term educational issues. Professor Melissa Wake is worried about kids with "low language skills", since it is sometimes difficult to notice the language delay and give it sufficient attention. She emphasizes, "There is a need for greater action. But it isn't always that obvious. Children with low language are not children with no language."
The study shows that speech problems are often, ironically, "silent disabilities". They are under-recognized and under-prioritized. On the other hand, some children who do not need help are sent for unnecessary assistance by their parents.
Parents should be urged to take their child to a professional to be evaluated for speech problems. This way, children who need help will be able to get it, and children who do not need help do not get "unnecessary assistance". I didn't realize early speech problems can put children at risk for mental/educational problems in the future. Hopefully parents reading this article take the study seriously and get their children assessed.
Source: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/parents-ignore-speech-problems-study/story-e6frfku9-1226631787467
No comments:
Post a Comment