{"id":156130,"date":"2017-12-19T21:34:13","date_gmt":"2017-12-19T16:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.developmentlogics.org\/article\/addressing-speech-concerns-children-down-syndrome"},"modified":"2025-08-25T14:23:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T08:53:57","slug":"addressing-speech-concerns-children-down-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newtest.nayi-disha.org\/article\/down-syndrome\/addressing-speech-concerns-children-down-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"Importance of hearing evaluation in children with Down Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article is based on a speech therapy workshop, organised by Nayi Disha with speech and language pathologist, Ms.Chitra Thadathil. The workshop conducted discussions on various topics such as Hearing, language and addressing speech concerns in children with Down syndrome, Sensory issues in children with Down syndrome, the Importance of ORO-MOTOR exercises, and the four important steps in Oro-Motor exercises and Speech sound hierarchy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this video, Chitra is addressing speech concerns in children with Down syndrome. You can check the other videos <\/span>\u092f\u0939\u093e\u0901<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing Concerns in Down Syndrome<\/h2>\n

\u201cWhat you hear, is what you speak\u201d, Ms.Chitra starts by giving an example of how a child hears the sound the sound \u201ca\u201d and says \u201ca\u201d, however if there is a concern in hearing may not hear the sound properly and may not produce the correct sound.<\/span><\/p>\n

What you hear is what you think and understand<\/h2>\n

Similarly, when we talk, people can hear and comprehend what is being said. For instance, when we say it’s time to eat, the child thinks and understands that it’s time to eat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But if the child is unable to hear properly,they will not be able to understand the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Importance of hearing evaluations<\/h2>\n

It is extremely important that children with speech and language delay undergo a thorough hearing evaluation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Children with Down Syndrome often have mild hearing concerns that often go unnoticed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This makes it difficult to identify potential hearing loss and its impact on their speech development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A major concern in children with mild to moderate hearing loss is that they tend to miss on the finer sounds in speech like the \u2018z, s, a\u201d sounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is therefore crucial that an in-depth and detailed hearing evaluation is carried out, before intensive speech therapy is started.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who can address concerns in hearing?<\/h2>\n

A proper hearing evaluation can be done by a team of (Ear, Nose, Throat) ENT professionals and audiologists.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An ENT first checks for any physiological issues such as ear infections, wax build ups etc. They can then address the issue such as clearing out the wax buildup or draining any fluid collected in the ear.<\/span><\/p>\n

An audiologist carries out tests to check for hearing.<\/span><\/p>\n

What can we do if there is hearing loss?<\/h2>\n

Any concerns identified should be addressed by using supportive tools like hearing aids that will help the child.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Addressing the concerns immediately will also ensure the child does not miss out the critical time for early intervention.<\/span><\/p>\n

Speech and language<\/h2>\n

It is essential that we understand the difference between speech and language.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Language has more to do with the understanding of what is being spoken.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Speech is expressive language.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips to improve speech and language development in your child<\/strong><\/p>\n