Delayed Speech
With early intervention, we reclaim lost time in language development.
Delayed speech and language is a condition where a child fails to acquire the expected language and communication skills for their age group on time. While some children say their first words late, others reach the stage of sentence construction much later than their peers. As Önce Special Education, we offer comprehensive evaluation and early intervention programs in the field of delayed speech and language at our center in Pendik, Istanbul.
Delays in language development can be caused by many different factors, including genetic predisposition, insufficient language stimulation, hearing problems, neurological factors, or developmental disorders. The important thing is to accurately identify the cause of the delay and create an appropriate intervention plan. We provide services with a multidisciplinary approach to families applying to our center from Pendik and surrounding areas, collaborating with child neurology, audiology, and developmental specialists when necessary.
The golden rule in delayed speech and language intervention is early diagnosis and early therapy. Therapy started during the 0-6 age period, when brain plasticity is highest, has the potential to bring the child's language skills closer to or even equal to their peers. At our Önce Special Education center in Istanbul Pendik, we implement science-based, play-oriented, and family-involved therapy programs to enrich your child's communication world.
Who Is It For?
- Infants who do not babble or use gestures by 12 months
- Children aged 18-24 months who do not yet say their first meaningful words
- Children aged 2-3 years who cannot form simple two-word sentences
- Children whose vocabulary is significantly limited compared to their peers
- Children who have difficulty understanding what is said and following directions
How Does It Work?
The child's receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language skills are comprehensively evaluated through standardized tests and observation.
Potential causes of the delay are investigated; if necessary, additional referrals like audiological evaluation or neurological examination are made.
An early intervention program based on evidence and tailored to the child's developmental level is prepared.
Natural environment-based therapy techniques are used to help the child develop language skills during daily life routines.
Language enrichment strategies to be implemented in the home environment are taught to the family in detail.
Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my child's language development really lagging behind, or are they just a late talker?
Every child's developmental pace is different; however, there are expected language milestones for specific age periods. For example, at least a few meaningful words are expected at 18 months, and two-word combinations at 24 months. If you have concerns about your child's development, we can clarify the situation with a comprehensive evaluation at our Pendik center. Early detection provides the opportunity for early intervention.
Is delayed language development a permanent problem?
No, with early and appropriate intervention, many children can catch up with their peers. Therapy programs started especially in the 0-6 age period yield highly effective results. However, without intervention, the delay may become permanent and lead to difficulties in academic, social, and emotional areas. At Önce Special Education, we aim to minimize this risk with our early intervention programs.
What can we do at home during the therapy process?
The home environment can be even more decisive than therapy in supporting language development. Our therapists provide custom home recommendations to families after each session: strategies like talking while maintaining eye contact, turning daily routines into language opportunities, reading books, and singing songs/nursery rhymes are at the top of these suggestions.
Free Assessment Appointment
Our experts evaluate your child's developmental needs for free.
Free Assessment Appointment
Our experts evaluate your child's developmental needs for free.
Book an Appointment