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Tag: Children Speech Therapy

  • Spotting the Difference: Speech Delay vs. Autism – What You Need to Know​

    Spotting the Difference: Speech Delay vs. Autism – What You Need to Know​

    Spotting the Difference: Speech Delay vs. Autism – What You Need to Know

    Speech delays and autism spectrum disorder can both impact language development. However, there are some notable differences between the two problems.  

    Speech delay is a problem where a child has difficulty developing speech and language skills. Children with a speech delay seek out close personal relationships with their parents and peers, respond positively to attention, and mimic the behaviours of people around them. They tend to naturally use body language and eye contact but will often have difficulty producing specific speech sounds. They may also have difficulty with gross and fine motor skills such as balance, writing or using scissors. 

    Symptoms of speech delay 

    • 4-6 months: Not babbling.  
    • 12 months: Not stringing together consonant-vowel combinations (e.g., “da” or “ma”), not using gestures like pointing and waving. 
    • 18 months: Trouble imitating sounds; saying only a few words, not understanding what others say, and prefers to use gestures over vocalizing to communicate. 
    • 24 months: Difficulty understanding simple instructions and does not combine words together.  
    • 2 years: Using fewer than 50 words; having trouble playing with and interacting with other children. 
    • 3 years: Not speaking in brief, simple sentences; not using plural words or pointing out body parts. 
    • 4 years: Unable to share a simple story or form sentences 4-5 words in length. Difficulty understanding pronouns, such as “you” and “me.” 

    What can cause speech delay? 

    The most common factors that can cause speech delay are:  

    • Hearing loss, including children who have recurrent ear infections and those who are hearing impaired 
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder 
    • Genetic disorders such as Down’s syndrome 
    • Intellectual disabilities 
    • Brain Injury 
    • Premature birth or low birth weight 

    What is the difference between speech delay and autism (ASD)? 

    In contrast, autism spectrum disorder is a neurological disorder that affects social skills, learning, communication, and behavior. Autistic children may have trouble with social interaction, play skills, communication, adaptation to minor changes in their routine and prefer to be alone. They may also have trouble making speech sounds and they use persistent repetition of words or phrases (echolalia). Difficulties in motor skills and repetitive body movements such as hand spinning, flapping or spinning are also observed.  

    The following symptoms related to speech delay are observed when the child has ASD: 

    • Typically, slow in responding or shows no response to parents or caregivers calling their name.
    • The toddler may not gesture (point) towards objects or people. 
    • Slower rate of language development. A one-year-old may coo and babble during the first year and then stop entirely.
    • Signs of repeated words and phrases (echolalia). 
    • Speaking in single words only most of the times. 
    • Uses words and phrases that seem out of place or have meaning only the child and their caregivers understand. 

    How speech and language therapy can improve communication skills? 

    • Verbal communication: the speech therapist can help children increasing their vocabulary and extending their sentences through playing. In addition, she helps children articulate and verbalize sounds and words in giving strategies and mechanisms to better express their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. As children become more effective communicators, it can also help reduce behavioral problems and develop social skills.  
    • Body Language: A speech therapist in Dubai can help match emotions with proper facial expressions and recognize subtle signals that can indicate whether a person is happy, sad, or angry. Facial expressions, hand movements, and gestures are some of the most expressive parts of language. Some children may have trouble interpreting their meaning.  
    • Grammar: Some kids with speech delay or autism may frequently make grammar mistakes or refer to themselves in the third person. A speech therapist in Dubai can help address these common issues and promote correct word tenses. 
    • Prosody: When we talk, the sound of our voice naturally goes up and down. Some children with autism have flat prosody, which can make their voice sound robotic and emotionless. A speech therapist can help children modulate the tone and volume of their voice when they speak. 

    To sum it up, understanding the difference between speech delay and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is vital for helping children effectively. If you’re looking for the right therapy for your child, Talking Brains Center (TBC) in Dubai is here to assist. TBC offers specialized help that can make a real difference in your child’s life. By recognizing these distinctions and seeking appropriate therapy, you’re giving your child the best chance to communicate, learn, and grow happily.

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  • What is early intervention? Why it is important? 

    What is early intervention? Why it is important? 

    What is early intervention? Why it is important?

    What is early intervention?

    Early intervention is used to refer to a system of support to help babies and toddlers, usually between birth to 3 years. This includes speech therapy, psychomotor therapy, or any other help support the child needs. If the child has any form of developmental delay (speech, language, cognitive, or motor), early intervention can help building new skills targeting their weaknesses. 

    Why early intervention is important?

    The earlier the intervention is, the more beneficial it will be for the child. In the first five years of life, experiences and relationships stimulate children’s development, creating every second million of connections in their brains. These connections are faster in the first five years than at any other time in their lives; the brain is “flexible”. Sensory pathways like those for basic vision and hearing are the first to develop, followed by early language skills and higher cognitive functions. 

    How the brain’s flexibility enhances the academic skills?

    Studies have shown that infants with higher cognitive flexibility demonstrate better academic outcomes in school with respect to their reading abilities, math skills and science-related task performance. Furthermore, this skill may transfer to emotional flexibility in terms of updating one’s thought processes to handle a difficult situation during the later stages of development.  

    What can affect the brain development?

    The brain can be affected by several factors:  

    • During pregnancy: drinking, smoking, high stress, folate deficiency, maternal infections  
    • At birth: Oxygen deprivation (Asphyxia), physical trauma (excessive force from the use of forceps or vacuum extractors), premature birth before the 37th week of pregnancy 
    • Post birth:  head injuries, bacterial infections (meningitis or encephalitis), Immune disorder, lack of stimulation. 

    What are the therapies that could be done in early intervention?

    Speech and language therapy 

    • If your child is having issues in interacting, communicating or understanding verbally, he may have a speech or language delay. Speech and language therapy can help determine the cause and improve communication and interacting skills.  
    • Through pretending play, respecting turn taking, listening to stories and playing, children will become able to imitate the sounds and when their vocabulary increase, they will be able to extend their sentences and speak easily. In addition, the speech therapist can help your child in having a better articulation of sounds by doing exercises that strengthen his oro-facial muscles. 

    Occupational/Psychomotor therapy 

    • If your child is showing motor or independency delay in his milestones such in walking, running, eating, dressing up, cutting or writing, he may have a psychomotor delay. In this case, the therapists aim to mainly advance the child’s motor skills through visual stimulations, sensory integration, muscle regulation and coordination exercises. In addition, if your child has attention and concentration problems, a psychomotor therapy is recommended.  

    Physical/physio therapy

    • If your child hasn’t yet achieved key physical milestones, this may be an indication of having physical limitations. They could also require physical therapy if they have dealt with injuries or illnesses. Physical therapy can help improve flexibility, strength, balance, and mobility. Physical therapists focus on regaining or constructing physical strength and movements through manual therapy like massages, stretches, or lifestyle modifications.

    Behavioural therapy (Applied Behavioural Therapy/ABA) 

    1.  
    • If your child has behavioural issues, ABA therapy involves many techniques for understanding and changing behaviour of individuals, through different techniques such as providing positive reinforcement, and understanding why a behavior may be happening and what are the consequences that could occurs. Nevertheless, a parental guidance done by a psychologist is a much recommended.

    Babies are born ready to learn, and their brains develop with repetitive, consistent and familiar routines and practices. Stimulating and caring environments with a variety of different activities give children plenty of ways to play, develop and learn. In addition, children need many opportunities to practice what they are learning.  

    In case your child has any developmental delay, don’t hesitate to ask his pediatrician and to start the therapy as soon as possible. Always remember “the earlier, the better”. 

     

    At TBC, our Lebanese Therapists provide therapy sessions in Arabic, French, and English to help clients overcome mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, as well as occupational therapy, psychomotor and speech therapy in Dubai.

    Our speech therapist is Hanen certified.

  • What to do if the child has a speech delay or pronunciation problems?

    What to do if the child has a speech delay or pronunciation problems?

    What to do if the child has a speech delay or pronunciation problems?

    As a trusted speech therapy center in Dubai, UAE, we understand that speech delays and pronunciation problems can be a source of stress for parents and caregivers. These issues can have a significant impact on a child’s language development, academic performance, and social interactions.

    In this video, we will be discussing common speech delays and pronunciation problems that children may experience, as well as practical steps that parents and caregivers can take to support their child’s communication skills.

    With her expertise and years of experience, Reine Bou Issa Ghafary, a licensed speech-language pathologist, will share tips and insights on how parents and caregivers can support their child’s speech development and when to seek professional help.

    At TBC, we are committed to providing the highest quality speech therapy services to children of all ages in Dubai, UAE. Our team of experienced professionals has a wealth of knowledge in diagnosing and treating speech delays and pronunciation problems, and we are dedicated to helping children reach their full potential.

    So whether you’re a parent or caregiver concerned about your child’s speech development, or simply interested in learning more about this topic, we invite you to join us and learn how you can support your child’s language skills and overall development.

    At Talking Brains Center (TBC), we understand the importance of early childhood development and offer a range of therapy services to support your child’s growth. Our team of Lebanese therapists in Dubai, UAE, includes occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, and other specialists who can help your child build the skills they need to succeed. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your child’s development.

  • What causes stuttering? How to help the child if he’s stuttering?

    What causes stuttering? How to help the child if he’s stuttering?

    What causes stuttering? How to help the child if he’s stuttering?

    As a leading speech therapy center in Dubai, UAE, TBC is dedicated to helping children and adults overcome communication disorders such as stuttering. In this video, we’ll be exploring what causes stuttering and how parents and caregivers can support a child who stutters.

    With her years of experience working with patients with communication disorders, Reine Bou Issa Ghafary, a licensed speech-language pathologist and neuropsychologist and the founder of TBC. shares insights on how to help a child who stutters and what kind of support TBC can provide.

    Stuttering is a complex disorder that affects speech fluency and can impact a child’s confidence and social interactions. Through this video, we hope to provide valuable information to parents and caregivers on how they can support their child’s speech development and promote their overall well-being.

    So, whether you’re a concerned parent or just someone interested in learning more about stuttering, we invite you to join us on this journey to understanding and supporting those with communication disorders.

    If you are looking for stuttering treatment in Dubai, at Talking Brains Center (TBC), we understand the importance of early childhood development and offer a range of therapy services to support your child’s growth. Our team of Lebanese therapists in Dubai, UAE, includes occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, and other specialists who can help your child build the skills they need to succeed. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your child’s development.