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Talk it out with tongue depressors

Talk it out with tongue depressors

21 July 2018 Admin General Media


It is normal for a child to start speaking in complete sentences from the age of fifteen to eighteen months. From eight to nine months, the baby speaks in one or two simple words. Speech develops as soon as the baby is developed enough to respond to cognitive actions. For some kids it might take longer to develop the art of clear and correct speech. However, normally by the time the child reaches its second year, they are able to respond efficiently. If it takes more than thirty months for your child to develop correct speech, do not worry. It is possible to fix speech disorders through therapies and other talking tools that are widely employed by parents and specialists.

Developmental delay is very common and nothing to stress about. From between fifteen to eighteen months if your child does not:

  • Reciprocate to common words like, “yes” “no” “mama” “dada” “hi” and “bye”
  • Clearly identify body parts
  • Respond or imitate gestures and actions

There is a possibility that your child is not developing properly. If even after two years of age, you child:

  • Is unable to produce words and phases
  • Is unable to follow simple commands
  • Is unable to utter complete sentences

Under these circumstances, you need to take into consideration your child’s speech issues. However, it must be pointed out here that there is nothing to be afraid of. Talking aids are among the first therapeutic tools that are employed to aid speech. There are several other problems that are tackled by tongue depressors. The first one is lip closure. Other functions include controlling excessive salivation. Oral tools also help facilitate nose breathing.

Speech problems are common with children having cerebral palsy. There are several ways to solve this. Apart from tools and talking aids, regular speech therapy with therapists is also recommended. Children with cerebral palsy have difficulty in coordinating the muscles of their throat, neck and also chewing and swallowing. Use of oral tools aid the positioning of the tongue and controls the amount of air to help the child pronounce words and punctuations correctly. It is the most common tool available.

Tongue depressors have multiple functions

They facilitate not only tongue positioning and speech but also develop the child’s ability to use its teeth. In cases of cerebral palsy, autism and Down’s syndrome, speech development is delayed and dysfunctional. There are obvious issues in speech development and development of cognitive abilities. This is when aids like nuk massagers and tongue depressors come to use. Nuk massagers increase oral hypersensitivity and helps develop tongue groove. In most cases speech problems persist for around teenage. However, with the use of proper aids and therapies, it is possible to efficiently control speech problems.

These tongue depressors are available in colors and flavors that attract children and encourage them to use it. It is the most innovative and inexpensive of tools, thus making it a tool of primary importance.