Children with speech and language disorders have problems reading and writing, even in their native tongue. For example, a child with speech impairments might struggle to pronounce basic English words clearly, affecting their ability to read and write fluently.
Did you know speech disorder diagnoses doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic? By the end of 2023, speech pathologists witnessed a massive increase in language and communication challenges among young children.
Thankfully, the right treatment and assistance can help these children overcome such challenges. For example, Winston Churchill overcame his language and speech impediment by practicing his diction and rehearsing tongue twisters.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how a child with a speech impairment can write English well.
Understanding Speech and Language Disorders
Nahiyan Siyam used to have problems speaking clearly due to their speech impairment when they were young. In an interview, they mentioned how helpless and embarrassed they felt. A child with speech and language issues might be going through the same.
But what exactly does this impairment entail?
It’s a culmination of various conditions that affect a child’s ability to communicate. For example, children with English as their native tongue will have trouble speaking or writing vowels, alphabets, letters, etc. It can be categorized as:
- Articulation disorders: Involves difficulty producing specific sounds.
- Fluency disorders: This includes interruption in speech flow, such as stuttering.
- Voice disorders: Affects pitch, quality, and volume.
All these affect a child’s communication and social development. Both parents and teachers must understand these signs for early identification and intervention.
How Does Speech Disorder Affect English Writing Skills?
Children with speech impairments will have problems reading and writing, be it in English, Spanish, or any other language. In America, 1/12 children (three to seventeen) have been diagnosed with a disorder related to language, speech, or voice.
Let’s say your child has a stutter. It’ll definitely be hard for them to pronounce a combination of English consonants and vowels, leading to challenges in developing writing skills.
Here are a few more issues children can face:
- They’ll find it hard to construct sentences, leading to fragmented and incomplete writing.
- They cannot articulate thoughts verbally, causing struggles in expressing and organizing ideas in written English.
- The child will have issues with grammar and vocabulary, hindering their ability to convey meaningful written sentences.
That’s why targeted interventions focused on speech and writing can help the child express themselves clearly. They can even develop their literacy abilities once they overcome their communication challenges.
4 Ways You Can Help a Child Overcome Speech Problems
According to Ithaca College, normal language and speech ability are central factors to having a fulfilling human experience. If children cannot communicate properly and convey their needs, they’ll have issues expressing their personality and developing relationships.
Here are a few ways you can help your child overcome their speech problems and learn to speak English as their native tongue:
#1. Early Identification and Intervention
A child with speech impairments will show signs early on. Parents and teachers must recognize the delays in language and speech to offer timely support.
If not addressed, the child might develop written language difficulties. You must engage caregivers, healthcare professionals, and educators in monitoring their developmental milestones.
Addressing these challenges during a child’s developmental stage can:
- Help your child improve communication skills.
- Enhance their academic success and English writing proficiency.
- Fostering social integration and confidence.
#2. Role of a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
An SLP, or speech therapist, is a healthcare professional licensed to treat communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. They educate families and caregivers about this disorder and how to improve the child’s quality of life.
As of 2022, America had over 178,000 people working as SLPs. Among them, 95.2% were women, and only 4.83% were men. However, don’t choose based on gender. Instead, find a therapist with a Master’s degree.
Someone with an offline or online Master’s in Speech Pathology degree will be proficient enough to help your child overcome speech problems. They’ll have three years of clinical experience through virtual or real-life simulations under their belt. It’s also quite hard to get into the program, as the course requires a 3.0 GPA with 25 observation hours and two letters of recommendation.
All these prove the following about SLPs with a Master’s degree:
- They can assess, diagnose, and treat your child’s language comprehension and speech fluency issues.
- The SLP can develop a personalized treatment plan anywhere—in a school, hospital, or private practice.
#3. Parental Support and Involvement
Along with the SLP’s guidance, guardians and parents must also support the child to overcome speech impairments. You must:
- Learn effective strategies to enhance their communication and writing skills at home.
- Engage in daily English language-rich speech exercises to encourage open dialogue (both spoken and written).
- Monitor the child’s development to inform the SLP about any concerns or issues with their communication skills.
- Foster a supportive atmosphere to celebrate small achievements, motivating the child to improve their reading and writing skills.
All these will positively impact speech development. Researchers note that parents can create a rich linguistic atmosphere for the children to learn and practice English phrases and words.
#4. Continuous Support from Everyone
The SLP will also work with technology and resources to enhance the child’s experience with learning speech and language. They’ll use tools like interactive apps, online resources, and speech recognition software to foster communication skills through engagement.
Schools can also create an inclusive learning environment to help them. For example, the classroom can have adaptive materials to accommodate diverse learning needs. Due to inclusivity, about 95% of children registered under the IDEA enrolled in regular schools.
Caregivers must also monitor their progress regularly to help educators and therapists assess the effectiveness of their techniques. They’ll also adjust the strategies based on the child’s evolving needs. All these will help the child learn to speak and read English in a supportive setting.
The Bottom Line
A child with speech impairments might have issues with writing English. They face this challenge because they struggle with phonological awareness and communication barriers.
That’s why caregivers must identify speech and language problems early on. Based on the signs, an SLP with a Master’s degree will help create tailored interventions and offer ongoing support. Educators can also create an inclusive environment by using technology, effective teaching strategies, and fostering parental involvement.
All these will ultimately help the child deal with their speech and language issues, leading them to develop strong writing skills.