Don’t Play Wait and See With Your Child’s Speech Development
Written by admin, May 8, 2012
May 8, 2012 – Theme Announced for Speech and Language Month This May
Two local health units and their community partners are asking parents “not to play wait and see” if they suspect their preschool child has language delays. “Don’t Play Wait and See” is the theme for Speech and Language Month throughout May. The purpose is to raise awareness about the importance of screening and early intervention to help children from birth to six years of age who may be experiencing speech or language difficulties.
“The good news is that if identified early, speech and language problems can be overcome through parent and professional intervention,” said Alex Cranfield, System Coordinator for the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge Preschool Speech Language Program. “We strongly encourage parents to learn what the warning signs are and to contact their local health unit with any questions. If left unchecked, communication delays can lead to serious social and health-related outcomes.”
Parent involvement, education and support are the greatest contributors to success in a child’s speech and language development Ms. Cranfield says. In Ontario, approximately 10 percent of all preschool children have a communication delay.
A number of resources are available on www.kidtalk.on.ca to help parents check if their child’s speech and language development is on track. This website also includes a breakdown of specific speech skills and warning signs for children aged six months, nine months, 12 months, 24 months, 30 months, three years, four years and five years.
Parents who have questions or concerns about their child’s speech and language development are also encouraged to contact their local health unit and talk to a public health nurse. Nurses can conduct an assessment of a child’s development over the phone and provide additional resources and supports to parents.
“Parents often suspect that there are problems with the child’s speech and language development, but think that the child will grow out of it or it will improve once the child begins school,” says Lynne Franke, Manager, Family Health with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Public Health. “We want parents to know that this is not something that they should wait and see if it improves, speech and language issues can often be corrected early and easily with a little support.”
The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge Preschool Speech Language Program is the district preschool speech and language program serving families throughout the Counties of Haliburton, Northumberland and Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. Families in the Peterborough area can access the program by calling 705-743-1000 and families in Haliburton and Northumberland Counties and the City of Kawartha Lakes can reach it by calling 1-866-888-4577.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
Peterborough Public Health
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391 Public Health