Experts have revealed with their research that speech disorder has increased in children during the pandemic period. It was underlined that it is important to distinguish children with delayed speech because they are thought to have autism spectrum disorder.
Child Neurology Department Specialist Assoc. Dr. Yasemin Topçu explained about speech disorder, one of the negative situations that the pandemic period left on children. Stating that the children of the pandemic period speak late and therefore are confused with autism, Topçu stated that if a child with a normal hearing test has limited eye contact, lack of speaking skills or a decrease in the number of words acquired, he should definitely be taken to a child neurology specialist.
CHILDREN’S STAY AWAY FROM THEIR PEERS INCREASE THE SPEECH DISORDER
Topçu stated that during the epidemic we are experiencing, it has created and prevented a lot of negativity on the speech and social development of children. Stating that the routines of children and families have changed with the epidemic, Topçu “Children moved away from their peers, their contact with television and screen increased. The increase in family members’ working time at home reduced their interaction with their children. All these environmental effects caused significant problems in the language development process of children. The pandemic also affected children’s relationships with their peers and other people, thereby affecting their social and emotional skills. negatively impacted.”made a statement.
“LANGUAGE IS A DEVELOPMENT STEP THAT NEEDS TO BE FOLLOWED”
Artillery in the continuation “Language and speaking skills are one of the most important developmental stages that should be followed closely in children. Especially between the ages of 1 and 3, the child’s ability to understand and use words rapidly develops. While most children can say two or three meaningful words at the age of three, they use two or three sentences by the age of three. From the age of one, children gain the ability to understand simple questions and follow simple commands.”used the phrases.
MIXED WITH AUTISM!
Topçu stated that the number of applications to pediatric neurology clinics has increased and that due to the epidemic, problems such as speech laziness and disorder have started. “Since the one to three age period is the period when autism symptoms are most common, children with speech retardation are often brought to outpatient clinics by their families with the suspicion of autism. The most important symptoms of children with autism are speech retardation, as well as the inability to make eye contact. In addition, delayed babbling starts at the age of 1 year. Autism spectrum disorder should be considered especially if the child cannot speak a meaningful word and does not respond when his name is called. Not every non-speaking child should be approached as having autism. It should also be taken into account that some types of epilepsy may present with speech problems and behavioral disorders. If there is a limitation in eye contact, a decrease in the number of words acquired or a loss in a normal child, a child neurology and psychiatry evaluation should be performed.made the statement.
TAKE IT TO A LANGUAGE THERAPIST
Topçu also stated that the success rate of treatment is very high if the children with speech disorder, difficulty and language disorder are diagnosed early. Stating that children should meet with their peers more, experts said that the time spent with their families should be of higher quality and the time spent with television should be reduced. Stating that children should be started in activity environments such as playgroups and nurseries, Topçu suggested that they be taken to a speech therapist if sufficient benefit is not provided.
