{"id":3925,"date":"2025-01-18T19:14:26","date_gmt":"2025-01-18T16:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/?post_type=arthra&#038;p=3925"},"modified":"2026-06-11T15:30:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T12:30:51","slug":"pote-milane-ta-paidia-mwra","status":"publish","type":"arthra","link":"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/arthra\/pote-milane-ta-paidia-mwra\/","title":{"rendered":"When do Children \/ Babies Talk? Disorders &amp; Speech Therapy"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stages of Speech Development<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3916\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3916\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3916 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/stadia-anaptixis-paidiou.jpg\" alt=\"Little girl measuring her height, capturing the stages of child development.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/stadia-anaptixis-paidiou.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/stadia-anaptixis-paidiou-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/stadia-anaptixis-paidiou-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/stadia-anaptixis-paidiou-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/stadia-anaptixis-paidiou-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3916\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Monitoring children's development is a fascinating journey. Each stage of child development holds unique moments and challenges.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 12 months<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The baby reacts to sounds\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has eye contact<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He smiles when spoken to<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Responds to his name<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turns towards the source of the sound<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understands \u201cyes\u201d and \u201cno\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has basic vocabulary (dad. Mum, ball...)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 1-2 years (children's speech onset)\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His expressive vocabulary has 20-50 words<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His perceptual vocabulary has about 300 words<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uses simple 2-3 word sentences<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 2-3 years old<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Makes 4-5 word sentences<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uses plural, prepositions, pronouns and articles<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 3-4 years old<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Answers all kinds of questions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His speech is closer to that of adults, in terms of grammar and syntax<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He recounts his experiences<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 4-5 years old<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can pronounce almost all the sounds of the Greek language<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The vocabulary reaches 1500 words<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can change the tone and speed of speech<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uses subordinate clauses<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 5-6 years old<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has conquered all phonemes and the complexes containing them\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has completely cleared the speech\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can have a dialogue almost like an adult<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special Cases<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3917\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3917\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3917 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/eidikes-periptoseis-anaptixis-omilias.jpg\" alt=\"Siblings playing together, capturing the special cases of speech development.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/eidikes-periptoseis-anaptixis-omilias.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/eidikes-periptoseis-anaptixis-omilias-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/eidikes-periptoseis-anaptixis-omilias-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/eidikes-periptoseis-anaptixis-omilias-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/eidikes-periptoseis-anaptixis-omilias-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3917\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Speech development can vary from child to child. Special cases of speech development require special care and attention.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speech to bilingual children.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speech in bilingual children is a special case in which the acquisition of the speech stage is not assessed in the same way. The younger the child, the easier it will be to develop bilingualism (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ideally up to 3 years of life<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many children, while understanding both parents' languages, usually choose to express themselves in one of them. In a speech delayed bilingualism can potentially slow down the development of language skills.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is why it is recommended that communication should be in one language, especially the language used in the place of residence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each case is individualised because many factors are involved, but it is advisable to take into account what the dominant language is in the home, how well the parents speak the language of the place of residence and at what age the child comes into contact with the second language.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speech development in children with autism.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u0397 <a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/arthra\/entatiki-allilepidrasi-ti-einai-kai-pos-voitha\/\">speech development in children with autism <\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">depends on the severity of the disorder<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the inclusion of the child in an early intervention programme and the involvement of parents in the treatment protocol.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, there are also factors that can impair or facilitate speech such as motivation to communicate, possible oral coordination difficulties and the child's overall clinical picture.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternative communication programmes or visualised intervention methods are recommended to enhance speech development (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pecs-greece.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PECS<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, go talk now, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/arthra\/teacch-domimeni-ekpaidefsi-gia-paidia-me-aftismo\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">teacch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concerns about delay:<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c2 years old does not speak\u201d<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concerns about speech delay at the age of 2 years <\/span><b>are often exaggerated<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because most children have their own pace of development.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to assess the child's general communication and not just speech. If the speech delay at 2 years of age only concerns expression then it is advisable to wait until the 3rd year of life or integration into the school setting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But if a 2-year-old child does not turn to his name, has obsessive interests, avoids looking into the eyes or does not point with the index finger, we should contact a specialist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c3 year old does not speak clearly\u201d<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are worried when the child 3 years old does <\/span><b>fixed joint errors<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> i.e. when he consistently replaces one letter with another (instead of foot he says pavi), when he makes simplifications (e.g. house, pitti), or vowel drops (instead of potato, pata).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We go to the speech therapist when, for example, he confuses \u201cb\u201c with \u201cd\u201d or when he replaces many phonemes with one letter (e.g. instead of \u201cthe child is taking a bath\u201d he says \"ko pecaki kaki bakio\")<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speech Disorders and Problems<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3918\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3918\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3918 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/diataraches-omilias-provlimata.jpg\" alt=\"Baby holding a phone and looking like he is trying to talk, illustrating speech problems and disorders.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/diataraches-omilias-provlimata.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/diataraches-omilias-provlimata-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/diataraches-omilias-provlimata-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/diataraches-omilias-provlimata-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/diataraches-omilias-provlimata-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3918\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Identifying speech problems and disorders in children is the first step in supporting their language development.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arthritis disorders<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulties with phonemes such as \u201cr\u201d, \u201cl\u201d and \u201ci\u201d.<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/arthra\/diatarachi-arthrosis-aities-diagnwsi-therapeia\/\">joint disorders<\/a> relate to difficulty in producing certain phonemes such as \u201cr\u201d, \u201cl\u201d, \u201ci\u201d or another. These difficulties may be due to age, anatomical anomalies or limited mobility of the articulations (tongue, lips, cheeks, palate, etc.).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each group of phonemes is expected at a specific age e.g. \u201cp, b, m\u201d and \u201ck, g, c\u201d are acquired by the age of 2.6-3 years, \u201cb, d, h\u201d by 3-3.6 years, \u201cf, g, \u201cd, i\u201d by 4-4.6 years and \u201ds, r\u201d by 5-5.6 years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common mistakes such as confusing \u201ci\u201d with \u201cf\u201d.<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quite often the replacement of \u201ci\u201d with \u201cf\u201d occurs (e.g. \u201cI want\u201d \u2192 \u201cI bring\u201d, \u201cb\u201d with \u201cd\u201d (e.g. \u201cboro\u201d \u2192 \u201cgift\u201d) or \u201cr\u201d with \u201cl\u201d (e.g. loda \u2192 roda). Many articulatory errors are cute in children however if they do not correct themselves at the ages mentioned above we need to refer to the speech therapist.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dysarthria<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What it is and how it affects speech.<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dysarthria is a disorder in the motor function of the joints due to damage to the peripheral or central nervous system. It affects the muscle tone of the orofacial muscles, the quality of breathing, joint clarity, voice tone or speech flow.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Types of dysarthria (e.g. hyperactive, lax).<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hyperkinetic dysarthria is characterised by a harsh voice, nasality, slow speech rate, labored breathing and difficulty in breathing in\/out. On the other hand, relaxed\/hypotonic dysarthria is characterised by short sentences, difficulty in phonation (\u201cvoice volume and clarity, prosody (\u201cvoice colour\u201d)) and resonance (the persistence of sound after it has been produced).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pseudism:<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is pseudism and why it occurs.<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the term \u201cpseudism\u201d we refer to the disorder of articulation of the sibilant phonemes \u201cs\u201d, \u201cz\u201d, \u201cz\u201d, \u201cx\u201d, \u201cps\u201d, \u201cch\u201d, \"j\". The reasons for this difficulty are as follows:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gaps between the teeth (chasmodontia)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">poor occlusion of upper and lower teeth\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prolonged finger or pacifier feeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0tooth preparation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Types of illusion (e.g. in \u201cs\u201d or \u201cs\u201d).<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common species is the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/e-ameea-amea.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/blog-post_19.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> interdental sigmatism<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in which \u201cs\u201d is produced as \u201ci\u201d, followed by oblique sigmatism, in which the person pronounces \u201cs\u201d for \u201cx\u201d. For example, \u201cToday I'm going to the cinema\u201d or \u2018Today I'm going to the cinema\u201c.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How it is treated.<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rehabilitation of this disorder depends on the cause of the phoneme alteration. Often, treatment by an orthodontic specialist may be needed when due to a maxillo-dental difficulty or speech therapy to strengthen the orofacial muscles and for correct positioning of the articulations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral sigmatism usually recovers in a longer period of time. An important factor is the age of the child at which intervention is started because the older the child is, the more established the difficulty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Should We Be Worried<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3919\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3919\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3919 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/anisychia-gia-omilia-paidiou.jpg\" alt=\"Mother communicating with her baby, expressing concern about the child&#039;s speech.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/anisychia-gia-omilia-paidiou.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/anisychia-gia-omilia-paidiou-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/anisychia-gia-omilia-paidiou-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/anisychia-gia-omilia-paidiou-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/anisychia-gia-omilia-paidiou-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3919\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Worrying about a child's speech is normal. Every child develops at his or her own pace.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signs of speech delay.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on the chronological age of the child, the level of speech or speech delay is assessed each time. That is, a 12-month-old child who has not yet spoken his or her first words as expected for the average child of the same age does not mean that he or she has a speech delay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many children say their first words at 15 or 16 months. As well, most children make sentences at age 2, while others make sentences at age 3, so the delay observed at 2 was made up for afterwards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, when a 3 year old child has not said any words then we can claim that he\/she has a speech delay because he\/she has passed two developmental milestones of speech without a positive result.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In any case, speech delay must be taken into account <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with the other developmental areas, communication and perception of the child<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to see a speech therapist<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We need to visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/logotherapeia\/peristeri\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">speech therapist <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when the child faces <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">significant difficulties<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in articulation, phonology, pragmatics, syntax, phonetics, phonetics, and <a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/arthra\/diatarachi-epikoinonias-se-paidia-katanoisi-antimetwpisi-therapeytiki-ypostirixi\/\">contact<\/a> and socialisation. In some cases, these difficulties may be related to <a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/arthra\/eidiki-glwssiki-diatarachi-sli-symptwmata-therapeia\/\">Specific Language Disorder<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common thing is to go to the speech therapist after visiting the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/psychotherapeia\/peristeri\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Child psychiatrist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Developmental Specialist or the Paediatric Neurologist.  We can also visit him on our own initiative or at the encouragement of the nursery teacher\/teacher or paediatrician. If you would like to know more about the procedure, you can read more about the <a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/paidopsyxiatriki-eksetasi\/\">Child Psychiatric Examination<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sudden difficulty in speaking and what it can mean.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In children, a sudden difficulty in speaking may be due to developmental, neurological or emotional factors. For example, some children started talking and suddenly lost this skill.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This may be an indication that the child is in the <a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/arthra\/aytismos-symptomata-aities-therapeia\/\">autistic spectrum<\/a>. Some children may also experience sudden stuttering, i.e. intermittent speech with blocking and repetition of syllables. This may be due to heredity or psychological factors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, some children have speech difficulties after damage to the central nervous system (seizures, viral infections, strokes, brain injuries).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speech and Language Therapy and Exercises<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3920\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3920\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3920 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/logotherapeia-askiseis-gia-omilia.jpg\" alt=\"A little girl in a speech therapy session, performing speech development exercises.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/logotherapeia-askiseis-gia-omilia.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/logotherapeia-askiseis-gia-omilia-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/logotherapeia-askiseis-gia-omilia-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/logotherapeia-askiseis-gia-omilia-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/logotherapeia-askiseis-gia-omilia-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3920\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Speech therapy provides targeted exercises to enhance speech and communication in children.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When does a child need speech therapy<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A child needs <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/logotherapeia\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">speech therapy <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when they have difficulties in communicating, speaking, articulating, understanding or expressing language.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More specifically, if you notice that he is not speaking clearly, has difficulty conveying information, becomes isolated, does not play functionally with his toys or gets lost in his thinking and cannot maintain a dialogue properly then it is advisable to visit the speech and language therapist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercises for different ages<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For children 2 years old<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Play with the child by naming with a few simple words what you are doing together (e.g. \u201cthe plane is flying high\u201d, \u201cthe baby is sleeping\u201d, the dog is walking\u201d, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Play games that imitate animal sounds (e.g., \u201cbark-bark\u201d, \u201cmeow-meow\u201d).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourage naming simple objects (e.g., ball, cat).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask the child to show you pictures from fairy tales<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0start a little song and wait for the child to continue\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercises for a clean joint.<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use a mirror so the child can see how his or her mouth moves<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use straw for blowing or bubbles for muscle strengthening.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special Exercises for Voices<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For \u201cr\u201d: words and exercises<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> For \u201cr\u201d: create games with repetitions of words such as \u201csew\u201d, \u201cstream\u201d, \u201cruby\u201d. Strengthen the orofacial muscles with tongue-raising movements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For \u201cl\u201d: words with many \u201cl\u201d<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> For \u201cl\u201d: work with the child in front of a mirror, playing and making funny faces while holding up the tongue. Use words like \u201clala\u201d, \u201clamp\u201d, \u201cflower\u201d. Create repetition games.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For \u201ci\u201d: distinction from \u201cf\u201d.<\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> For \u201ci\u201d: compare it with \u201cf\u201d using words such as \u201cwant\u201d and \u201cfello\u201d to help the child identify the correct word. Ask the child to lightly touch the tongue to the teeth and repeat words such as \u201cwant\u201d, \u201caunt\u201d, \u201cbush\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tips for Parents<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3921\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3921\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3921 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/symvoules-gia-goneis.jpg\" alt=\"Parents happily interacting with their child, imprinting tips for the child&#039;s speech.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/symvoules-gia-goneis.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/symvoules-gia-goneis-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/symvoules-gia-goneis-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/symvoules-gia-goneis-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/symvoules-gia-goneis-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3921\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Positive interaction is essential in parenting advice on child speech.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to help your child speak more clearly\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order for your child to speak clearly and with more fluency, you must first of all <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/happykidsradio.gr\/learn\/endiaferonta-themata-syzitisis-gia-paidia-kathe-ilikias\/#https:\/\/happykidsradio.gr\/learn\/endiaferonta-themata-syzitisis-gia-paidia-kathe-ilikias\/#\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you discuss with him<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about your own daily life and then be interested in him telling you about his.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is good to tell him the news of your day, talk about your feelings, answer his questions, play games with him and have a dialogue. Through play we provide the child with pleasant experiences and the opportunity to further develop his speech.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During playtime we share with joy, knowledge, pleasant emotions, enhancing the child's motivation to correct his speech. In this condition he is more receptive to the observations, repetitions and imitation of the adult.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, he needs:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speak slowly and clearly, giving the child time to respond.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Play games such as mime or reading picture books.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reinforce speech through songs and simple rhymes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not constantly correct the child, but show the correct example by repeating the word correctly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a positive atmosphere with praise for every effort.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimise exposure to screens<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each child follows his or her own unique rate of development, which we should respect when it does not deviate significantly from the normally expected stages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u0397 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/prwimh-paremvasi\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">early intervention<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is primarily based on early assessment. The earlier the child's developmental difficulties are identified, the better the outcome of the child's treatment. Children who attend an early intervention programme, i.e. before 3 years of age, have a better rate of learning and better cognitive, communication and adaptive skills upon integration into school. If you want to learn more about the process, read more about <a href=\"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/xorigisi-test\/\">Administration of Diagnostic Tests<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parents, who know their child better than anyone else, have the most important role. It is good to create a safe environment with a stable schedule, rules and boundaries. They need to expose it to new environments, create opportunities to socialize and play together often.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reward efforts and not stand on deficiencies but on strengths and talents. The key to everything is acceptance and love, which are the basis for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">balanced development<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3915,"template":"","tags":[133,131],"class_list":{"0":"post-3925","1":"arthra","2":"type-arthra","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"tag-vrefiki-anaptyxi","7":"tag-diataraches-logou-omilias"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/arthra\/3925","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/arthra"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/arthra"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eidikokentropaidiou.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}