Specialised Language Therapy for Kids: Building Strong Communication Foundations
Language
The top conditions diagnosed among young children today are speech and language delays and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Between 2010 to 2014, a 76% increase in cases were seen in SingaporeA .
Early intervention in the first 7 years of a child’s life are critical windows for development intellectually, socially and emotionally as brain plasticity is maximal early in lifeB.
Intervening early minimizes and in most cases, decreases the need for future intervention while building confidence and social communication skills.
A Source: KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, National University Hospital, Today, 14 February 2016
B Mundkur, N. (2005). Neuroplasticity in children. Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 72(10), 855-857.
Does My Child Have a Language Delay?
Early Red Flags:
- Poor eye contact
- Poor imitation skills
- Does not respond when you call their name
- Does not look or point at objects when they are named by 15 months
- Does not follow simple directions by 18 months
- If your child has not said single words by 18 months
Expressive and Receptive Language Skills
Language refers to a system used to communicate with another person. This includes an understanding of word meanings, how words are put together and using language in different social situations. Language is divided into:
- Expressive Language – The ability to request, comment and communicate our needs and wants using words, gestures, writing, sign language, using a picture exchange communication system or symbols. For instance, pointing to a desired object or writing a story. It empowers your child to convey their thoughts, emotions, and ideas, forming meaningful connections with others.
- Receptive Language – The understanding of information through words, writing, gestures or signs. By nurturing strong receptive language skills, children become active participants in conversations, capable of following instructions and comprehending written materials.
Receptive language skills include:
- Following simple 1-step to multistep directions (ex., “Take the bubbles,” “Take your bag and wear your shoes,” “Stand up, push in your chair, and go to the door.”)
- Answering comprehension questions (who/what/where/why) based on a picture or story.
- Understanding vocabulary words such as adjectives (e.g. beautiful), time (e.g. yesterday/today) or quantity concepts (more/less).
- Inferencing and making predictions based on a picture or story. For example, showing a picture of a boy sitting beside a broken vase and asking, “What do you think happened?” When reading a story, stop and ask, “What do you think the character will do next?”)
Treatment Options for Language, Reading Comprehension and Social Communication Skills
For children with Language Delays:
- It Takes Two to Talk® – The Hanen Program® for parents of young Children with Language Delays.
- More Than Words® – The Hanen Program® for Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or with Social Communication Difficulties. It develops:
- Improved social communication and back-and-forth interactions
- Improved play skills
- Improved imitation skills
- Lindamood-Bell Talkies® Program for Oral Language Comprehension & Expression. Talkies develops the imagery language connection for children with weak receptive and expressive oral language skills.
For Reading Comprehension and Social Communication skills:
- Nancibell® Visualizing and Verbalizing® for Language Comprehension and Thinking (V/V) develops the imagery connection to assist in reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
- Social Thinking® Skills: the ability to consider your own and others' perspective such as their thoughts, emotions and intentions.