FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – When does the way a small child speaks go from being cute to being a source of concern? Is a child who does not look up from her toys engrossed in her play or is she exhibiting a hearing problem? The audiologists and speech-language pathologists at the University of Arkansas Speech and Hearing Clinic urge parents who believe their child is having trouble communicating to seek a professional assessment sooner rather than later.

"It’s tempting to say 'he’ll outgrow it’ when a child seems to be slow to develop speech and language skills," Larry Aslin, clinic director, said, "but problems with hearing or speech and language development can create barriers to social interaction and emotional well-being at a very young age and make it difficult for a child to progress in school. Early intervention is important."

Aslin and Marilyn McGehee, communication disorders instructor, advise parents to arrange for an evaluation if they are worried about whether their child is hearing clearly and consistently or understanding what the parents are saying. Having problems in pre-school or kindergarten with following instructions or participating in activities with other children can also be clues that the child may be having difficulties with hearing or speech and language.

This summer, the RiteCare Childhood Language Program, funded by the Western Arkansas Scottish Rite, enabled McGehee to conduct language groups at the UA Speech and Hearing Clinic to prepare preschool children to enter kindergarten. During the school year, RiteCare funding also makes it possible for children with financial needs to have access to speech-language treatment at the clinic.

In addition to learning to pronounce words clearly and expand their vocabulary, children in the RiteCare Preschool Language Groups are developing important social skills, such as how to work together with a peer group.

"By learning how to take turns in a conversation—how to listen and respond—the kids are preparing to enter a classroom filled with other children and thrive," McGehee said. "We also introduce some pre-literacy concepts that help them understand the connection between the words on the page and what they hear."

More than six million children nationally have speech-language disorders, with many additional children demonstrating learning and reading disabilities. According to the U.S. Public Health Service, 83 out of every 1000 children in the U.S. have an educationally significant hearing loss. Without adequate treatment and preventative services, these children are at risk for a lifetime of educational, social and emotional handicap.

The UA Speech and Hearing Clinic is a teaching laboratory for graduate and undergraduate students majoring in communication disorders in the College of Education and Health Professions. Each fall approximately 15 graduate students are accepted into the program and are actively involved in working with clients, in both treatment and diagnosis, under faculty supervision. Aslin, McGehee and other professional faculty and staff also annually supervise more than 20 undergraduates involved in clinical experiences and an additional 30 or more students in the program who observe therapy to fulfill degree requirements during their junior year.

Parents who are worried about their child’s hearing or speech and language development may go to the clinic’s Web page for more information or call the clinic at 479-575-4509 to schedule an evaluation.