How does cerebral palsy affect communication and language development?

Communication issues Cerebral palsy can affect a person’s ability to finely coordinate the muscles around the mouth and tongue that are needed for speech. The coordinated breathing that is needed to support speech can also be affected, e.g. some people may sound ‘breathy’ when they speak.

Does cerebral palsy cause speech delay?

Most children with cerebral palsy have problems controlling the muscles in their face, tongue, jaw and chest. This limits their ability to produce sounds and speak correctly. Hearing loss can also cause speech delays and communication problems. About 75% of children with cerebral palsy have speech defects.

Why is it difficult for a child with cerebral palsy to communicate?

Often, children with Cerebral Palsy have motor skills challenges that make pointing to letters or symbols difficult, even with the aid of a head stick or mouth stick.

What are the most common signs of speech language and communication difficulties?

Adults: Signs of Speech & Language Disorders

  • Struggles to say sounds or words (stuttering)
  • Repetition of words or parts of words (stuttering)
  • Speaks in short, fragmented phrases (expressive aphasia)
  • Says words in the wrong order (expressive aphasia)
  • Struggles with using words and understanding others (global aphasia)

Do people with cerebral palsy have trouble speaking?

Communication issues Some children with cerebral palsy may not be able to produce any sounds, others may be able to produce sounds but have difficulty controlling their movement enough to produce speech that is clear and understood by others. 1 in 4 people with cerebral palsy cannot talk.

How do children with cerebral palsy communicate?

AAC is one of the primary ways — if not the only way — that many children with cerebral palsy communicate if they have speech or hearing impairments. Communication devices for cerebral palsy include: Communication boards and books. Eye-tracking devices.

Is speech delay a developmental delay?

Language and Speech Delays. These problems are the most common type of developmental delay. They sound similar, but they’re different types of issues. Speech means the sounds that come out of a person’s mouth.

Are people with cerebral palsy nonverbal?

About 25% of individuals with cerebral palsy are non-verbal. However, that does not mean they don’t have anything to say or are incapable of understanding what you say to them.

What is the best way to communicate with someone with cerebral palsy?

Communication and Cerebral Palsy

  1. Meeting and Greeting Someone with Cerebral Palsy.
  2. Offer a hand in friendship.
  3. Speak directly to them.
  4. Speak with them as you would with any other adult.
  5. Avoid leaning on his or her wheelchair.
  6. Listen attentively, especially if they have difficulty speaking.

What are the symptoms of speech and language impairment?

Symptoms common in older children and adults with SLI include:

  • Limited use of complex sentences.
  • Difficulty finding the right words.
  • Difficulty understanding figurative language.
  • Reading problems.
  • Disorganized storytelling and writing.
  • Frequent grammatical and spelling errors.

How do you help a child with cerebral palsy communicate?

Some children with cerebral palsy have daily communication issues. Symptoms of cerebral palsy and certain associated conditions make it difficult for a child to talk or express themselves. Early interventions, such as sign language, speech and language therapy, and communication boards can help.