Naomi Said:

How does the study of normal speech & language development influence practice in speech-language-pathology?

We Answered:

The study of normal speech and language development will influence practice in speech-language pathology by giving an understanding of normal speech patterns so that you can recognize abnormalities when they are expressed.

Christopher Said:

Will hearing problems affect speech and language development?

We Answered:

Yes. The first years of life are particularly important for learning speech and language. Even mild hearing losses may cause children to miss much of the speech and language around them and result in critical developmental delays. Parents should make sure that their children receive a regular hearing evaluation from an audiologist certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), particularly if there is a history of ear infections, frequent colds or other upper respiratory infections, or allergies..

Deborah Said:

Do early ear infections have an effect on the language and speech development of a young child?

We Answered:

It can...it depends what age and how sever the ear aches occur....I had a friend who had a 3 year old son who had bad ear aches all the time....he never spoke...he was like a baby and pointed at things to communicate..she eventually had to get him into baby signing classes...and everyone thought he was mentally disabled...but she just kept working with him and the ear aches were eventually treated by a doctor....now he is five and he is the smartest most talkative little boy you will ever meet...he doesn't even have a speech impediment....my cousin also had ear aches as a baby/young child...and she just has a little lisp....

Leslie Said:

Does the rate of speech development in babies depend on the complexity of the language they are learning?

We Answered:

It doesn't seem to make a difference. One real difference though is that tonal languages like Chinese use another part of the brain that processes music!

Maurice Said:

Motor Learning and Development class for Speech-Language Pathologists?

We Answered:

I've been working as a speech pathologist for 5 yrs and work in a medical setting. I didn't take a Motor Learning and Development class, but learned a lot about it through my externships. If you're only in your first semester of school, I suggest keeping your options open. As you start your rotations, you will realize what you will like and not like. There may be a possiblity that you will decide to work in a private practice or educational setting. Enjoy your experience and if you're still interested in this area in a couple semesters, you can take the course at this time, study on your own, or attend a few conferences

Jacqueline Said:

Difference in language development between "normal " children and children with special needs?

We Answered:

Dyslexic --- Didn't talk till 4 and then was very talkative high vocabulary

High functioning Autistic----- didn't make a sound until speech talked at 3 after using singes and picks to point at at 5 talks allot about interests has no care if others are talking or if others are uninterested

Down Syndrome----- Talked before his autistic cousin saying momma and daddy now at 5 can say some sentences like "Daddy Here" or "Mommy Cookie" Has to be made to use words most f the time.