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Useful websites​:

https://www.ndis.gov.au

https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/whats-covered-medicare

https://www.autismsa.org.au

https://www.asha.org

https://www.dementia.org.au

https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/development

https://www.hanen.org/Home.aspx

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Language development in children:

By the end of 3 months

By the end of three months, your child might:

  • Smile when you appear

  • Make cooing sounds

  • Quiet or smile when spoken to

  • Seem to recognize your voice

  • Cry differently for different needs

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By the end of 6 months

By the end of six months, your child might:

  • Make gurgling sounds when playing with you or left alone

  • Babble and make a variety of sounds

  • Use his or her voice to express pleasure and displeasure

  • Move his or her eyes in the direction of sounds

  • Respond to changes in the tone of your voice

  • Notice that some toys make sounds

  • Pay attention to music

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By the end of 12 months

By the end of 12 months, your child might:

  • Try imitating speech sounds

  • Say a few words, such as "dada," "mama" and "uh-oh"

  • Understand simple instructions, such as "Come here"

  • Recognize words for common items, such as "shoe"

  • Turn and look in the direction of sounds

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By the end of 18 months

By the end of 18 months, your child might:

  • Recognize names of familiar people, objects and body parts

  • Follow simple directions accompanied by gestures

  • Say as many as 10 words

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By the end of 24 months

By the end of 24 months, your child might:

  • Use simple phrases, such as "more milk"

  • Ask one- to two-word questions, such as "Go bye-bye?"

  • Follow simple commands and understand simple questions

  • Speak about 50 or more words

  • Speak well enough to be understood at least half the time by you or other primary caregivers

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When to check with your child's doctor

Talk to your child's doctor if your child hasn't mastered most of the speech and language development milestones for his or her age or you're concerned about your child's development. Speech delays occur for many reasons, including hearing loss and developmental disorders. Depending on the circumstances, your child's doctor might refer your child to a hearing specialist (audiologist) or a speech-language pathologist.

In the meantime, talk to your child about what you're doing and where you're going. Sing songs and read together. Teach your child to imitate actions, such as clapping, and to say animal sounds. Practice counting. Show your child that you're pleased when he or she speaks. Listen to your child's sounds and repeat them back to him or her. Some affectionate "baby talk" to your child is OK, but remember that your child learns to speak by imitating you. These steps can encourage your child's speech and language development.

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What is dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty in swallowing. This includes problems with sucking, swallowing, drinking, chewing, eating, dribbling saliva, closing lips, or when food or drink goes down the wrong way.

Early signs of dysphagia are coughing, gagging or choking while eating and drinking. 

Dysphagia is a common problem affecting elderly people. It can lead to aspiration, which means food or drink go into the airway rather than the stomach. 

Dysphagia and aspiration can lead to dehydration, malnutrition and pneumonia. For these reasons, and also because dysphagia can be caused by serious medical conditions, if you think you or someone you care for has difficulty in swallowing, talk to your or their doctor.

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What causes dysphagia?

Common causes include reflux and problems with the nervous system, muscles or structures of the head and neck.

 

Nervous system problems

Conditions that damage the brain and nerves can cause dysphagia, including:

 

How is dysphagia treated?

If you have dysphagia, the most appropriate treatment will depend on the cause. Treatment can include:

  • changing the textures of foods or drinks

  • learning new swallowing techniques

  • doing exercises to help muscles work better and stimulate nerves that trigger the swallowing reflex

  • taking medication to reduce stomach acid reflux or relax your oesophagus

In severe cases, you might need to change to a liquid diet, or have food and drink through a feeding tube that goes directly into your stomach.

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The role of a speech pathologist in treating dysphagia

Speech pathologists can provide support to ensure that mealtimes are safe and enjoyable for children and adults with dysphagia.

As eating and drinking involves many parts of the body, speech pathologists work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support people with dysphagia. This may include working with general practitioners, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians and nurses.

When working with a client with dysphagia, a speech pathologist will tailor their intervention to the unique needs of each individual. These can include the following approaches:

Mealtime observation and assessment

Before any recommendations can be made, a speech pathologist will look at the individual’s current environment and how they eat and drink. This might include how they sit when they consume food and liquids, how they are putting food or drink into their mouth (or how they are being fed), the consistencies and textures of food and drink they consume, and the environment in which they eat (e.g. are they sitting alone in a corner of the kitchen or are mealtimes a social occasion with other people around).

By taking these factors into account the speech pathologist can see the ‘bigger picture’. This helps them choose which treatment strategies to use and what other support might be required.

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What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

ASD is a developmental disability that affects an individual’s social interactions, behaviour and overall ability to interact with their environment. It is a permanent condition and there is no cure.

Individuals with ASD are impacted in two main areas: impaired communication and social interaction; and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities.

No two individuals with ASD are alike. The combination and severity of developmental characteristics varies for each individual. A person with ASD may have difficulties developing in some areas and normal development in others.

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Signs of Autism

There is a range of behaviours associated with ASD, including:

  • Absent, delayed or abnormal language patterns

  • Isolated and repetitive play behaviour

  • Body movements such as flapping and toe walking, and other behaviours that may cause self-injury

  • Restricted or obsessive behaviour

  • Rituals and routines. A change to routine can cause high levels of stress and anxiety

  • Tantrums relating to confusion, stress, anxiety, anger and frustration

  • Sensory sensitivities to particular stimuli, such as sounds, colours, tastes, smells and textures

People with ASD may also have other conditions, too, including:

  • Speech and language difficulties

  • Intellectual disability

  • Sleep issues

  • Difficulty with attention and concentration

  • Epilepsy

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Poor fine and gross motor skills

Many individuals with ASD have difficulties interpreting sensory information, and may display over- or under-sensitivity. Being over-sensitive to sound, touch, taste, smell and vision can be  distressing to individuals with an ASD and can result in strong reactions.

Depending on the severity of the condition and secondary conditions, some people with ASD may be able to live independently, while others may need constant assistance and support.

© 2023 NEWDAY Speech Pathology.

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