The beginning of the classes is one of the most relevant moments in the history of each individual, especially when children first access a center for early childhood education, the first stage of education. And it is also an occasion to detect language disorders, which, according to experts, can affect an 2% of the world's children. Some of these disorders, such as stuttering or dyslexia are well known. Others, such as aphasia or dysarthria are less frequent. Some have a hereditary origin and others have physical causes. In all cases, the work of speech therapists is essential. "The identification of children with language delay within the preschool period should be a priority, since these difficulties are relatively frequent in childhood", warns María Femenía, logopeda and specialist in neurology of the hospital San Carlos Office of Dénia, belonging to the HLA Group.
According to the specialist, "Communication through oral language begins around 2 years and ends around 5 years with the acquisition of the basic forms of the adult language system". Even at such an early age, the main problems can be detected: "delays in the acquisition of oral language, difficulty learning written language, articulatory difficulties and voice disturbance", lists the Maria Femenía speech therapist. In these disorders "There is a predominance of male sex over female sex, except for voice disorders", indicates the specialist, and the treatments to solve them can be extended "until the age of fifteen". (Scientific evidence SOURCE: "Prevalence of speech, language and communication pathologies." Journal of speech therapy, phoniatrics and audiology.)
The origin of these difficulties to establish a fluid communication has many ramifications. "The language has a markedly neurobiological, socio-affective, cognitive and motor basis and its correct development will depend on the balance between all these factors", says the professional. Hence "the detection of communication and language problems", continue from the hospital's Speech Therapy area HLA San Carlos, "It must be multidisciplinary, since various factors may be interfering with the development of the patients' language skills".
"The health system, through its centers, provides attention to language disorders through a specialist in speech therapy", points María Femenía, who nonetheless insists that "The family is the main agent that influences the personal, social and emotional development of the child". It is in the closest environment where the first signs of linguistic complications of a minor may arise. Coordination with "The health center and the teacher will favor the diagnosis and subsequent treatment", says the dianense center specialist. "With advice to families about different resources", keep going, "It is possible to stimulate the development of psycho-affective language and improve difficulties".
Speech therapy may have special relevance in areas such as Marina Alta, where two official languages coexist together with a multitude of tourists and residents from different parts of the world. This multilingualism, in principle, is beneficial. "Different neurophysiological studies seem to show that a second language, acquired in the early stages of the child's linguistic development, shares common areas of the cerebral cortex with the mother tongue, favoring connections", says the doctor. "However, if this incorporation is at a time when you have not yet built the development of the mother tongue, you face greater difficulties"He says. "And, if that child also suffers from a disorder that makes language acquisition or comprehension difficult, he can hardly learn another language". In his view, "It is best to wait for the child to consolidate his / her linguistic and communicative competences in the mother tongue before introducing a second language and in no case force him if we observe difficulties of expression or comprehension". (Source: Guide for the Educational Community, Specific difficulties in language and communication, Generalitat Valenciana 2017, Department of Education, Research, Culture and Sports).
About HLA Hospital Group
The HLA Hospital Group is made up of 15 integrated hospitals with 33 multispecialty medical centers and a network of reference units in state-of-the-art treatments. 42 dental clinics, 11 assisted reproduction units, 30 ophthalmological clinics equipped with the most advanced technology and 436 clinical analysis centers complete the structure that HLA makes available to its patients. With 1300 hospital beds, HLA is a benchmark in hospital and outpatient care. More than 36 years of experience and presence in six countries make up a care model that bases its philosophy on humane treatment, excellence, leadership, responsibility and specialization.
