3 reasons early intervention is important
You’ll often hear speech therapists say that early intervention is key. While some professionals may tell you to “watch and wait,” SLPs are often the ones telling you to go ahead and get started now. I know it can be tough when different professionals are telling you different things, and it can be hard to know who to trust. My first piece of advice would be to trust your instincts. Often your gut is telling you the right answer for you and your family. My second piece of advice is that it never hurts to start working on language skills early- even if your kiddo ends up not needing it! Speech and language intervention benefits everyone, not just those with delays or disorders. All that said, I’d like to share 3 reasons why I (and many others) believe that early intervention is important.
It reduces frustration
Imagine you have a million thoughts, but you aren’t able to express any of them. Wouldn’t that be incredibly frustrating? Oftentimes with kiddos, especially those who are at the age where language development should be ramping up, we see frustration that can manifest as “undesirable” behaviors such as yelling, hitting, crying, etc. While this can be challenging to deal with, I encourage all parents to ask themselves why their child might be engaging in these behaviors. Do they have the language to express what they need? Are they able to tell you they’re hungry or their tummy hurts? If not, they might benefit from early intervention speech therapy to help with language development. Speech therapists are experts when it comes to developing language skills, and they can help you and your family implement strategies at home to improve language skills and decrease those challenging behaviors. Giving your child the tools to communicate not only helps them to feel less frustrated, but helps you develop a better understanding of your child.
It addresses language concerns before they become more significant
Speech and language delays & disorders can often be identified very early. When a kiddo has a language delay, they can sometimes catch up to their peers with speech therapy. This is because a delay refers to language that is developing typically, just at a slower pace than expected. Disordered language is different, in that a child isn’t following the “typical” language development path. Both, however, benefit from early intervention.
Imagine this: your child is 18 months old and hasn’t said their first word yet. You have two options- seek help now, or wait and see if they catch up.
If you wait a year: your child may continue to fall behind. By age 2½ or 3, language expectations are much more advanced, and that year of waiting often means more frustration for both you and your child.
If you start therapy early: progress may be quicker. Some children need only a short period of therapy when intervention begins early, while others may need more support as their language develops. Either way, you’re giving your child the best possible chance to “catch up.”
Research shows that between birth and age 3, children’s brains are at their peak for learning language. That’s why early intervention is key. The sooner skills are practiced, the stronger the foundation for communication and learning. Whether it’s a mild delay or a significant disorder, starting the process early gives the best outcomes.
Encourages school readiness
Starting school is a nerve-wracking experience for everyone, but especially the kiddo. Now imagine how hard school is if you’re also experiencing a language delay! I like to explain it as though everyone got a tutorial that they didn’t get. Not only does it make actual academics difficult, but it also makes the social aspect of school challenging as well. If a child is having a hard time expressing themselves, that isn’t just with parents and teachers, but also their peers. Early intervention gives kiddos the best chance possible of developing a solid foundation of communication skills prior to beginning school. Think of it this way- if your child is still struggling to tell you what they want and need, how can they thrive in an academic setting? If they are still struggling with following 1-step directions, how can they complete academic tasks in the classroom? Getting your child into speech helps ensure they are as ready as possible to begin their academic careers.
The best advice I can give you is this: If you notice your kiddo isn’t hitting their milestones, request an evaluation with a speech therapist. Maybe they are developing typically and don’t need further treatment, which is awesome! But what if they do? Wouldn’t you want to know as young as possible?