speech pathologist castle hill

SPEECH & LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Communication is fundamental to school success. Approximately 13% of Australian school children have a disorder that affects their communication. This equates to 3 children in every NSW primary classroom (based on an average class size of 24).
Difficulties identified by speech pathologists include a delay or disorder in any or all of the following:
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production of speech sounds (articulation and phonology),
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comprehending, remembering, and following verbal or written instructions (receptive language and language processing)
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verbal or written use of vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure (expressive language)
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pre- and early literacy skills such as being able to recognize and use rhyme, break words into syllables, blend phonemes into syllables and words, identify the beginning and ending sounds in a syllable and see smaller words within larger words such as “cat” in “catalog” (phonological awareness)
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listening and attending (auditory processing)
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Communication difficulties significantly impact a child's
school participation and educational performance.
THE CRITICAL AGE OF 5 YEARS
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The first four years of a child's life are very significant for speech and language development. Once a child commences school, they face the demands of a school curriculum which is heavily reliant on language competence.
Extensive research has concluded that 5 year olds entering school with significant untreated speech and language difficulties demonstrate ongoing educational difficulties. The long-term effects include difficulties with reading, spelling, writing, and numeracy, social challenges and low self-esteem. They have also been found to be at greater risk of bullying and report less school enjoyment than their peers.
(Bashir & Scavuzzo, 1992; Beitchman et al., 1994; Paul and Kellogg, 1997; Johnson et al 1999; Tomblin, Zhang, Buckwalter, and Catts, 2000; Young et al, 2002; Conti-Ramsden and Botting, 2004).
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Children are at greater risk if:
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they are male
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they have had a history of middle ear infections or hearing loss
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there is a family history of communication and/or literacy difficulties
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they have a reactive personality (tend to give up and not complete challenging activities; easily frustrated; often described as "strong-willed")
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they were breast fed for less than 9 months
Children rarely spontaneously "grow out of" speech and language difficulties.
Seeing a Speech Pathologist early gives you more time to address issues
before your child starts school.
WHAT TO EXPECT (& When to Seek Help)
My child isn't talking Between two & three years Between three & four years
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Between four & five years Over five years & school age
Concerned about STUTTERING ?
Here is some great information from
Kids Health, TCH Westmead
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