Concern at lack of speech language therapist

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 486, 18 May 1993, Page 3

Concern at lack of speech language therapist

Local paront Paulino Bronnan covors lomo of tho Issuos rogardlng speech languago thorapy

• I am writing to voice my deep concern over the loss of yet another service in the rural sector. Are you aware that we no longer have the services of a speech language therapist in the Waimarino? (The position became vacant at the end of last year and as yet does not appear to have been advertised). This service is a much needed resource in the area - early assessment and intervention is recommended in speech/language delay, as other problems can be quick to develop if not detected and treated early (as identified by the nationwide group Parents of Language Disordered Children). Language disorders

have three broad areas: articulation problems - difficulty with the clarity of sounds/words; receptive problems - difficulty with the understanding of sounds/words; expressive problems - difficulty in expressing sounds/words in the correct/logical order or grammar or difficulty in expressing emotions, etc. Our children may have difficulties with one or more of the above areas. Common problems: expressive language may be delayed; understanding and/or use of grammar significantly

behind their age; appropriate pronunciation of speech sounds is significantly delayed; voice and/or fluency may be affected; conversations and relationships with others may be affected. Other implications to consider: some behaviours and learning difficulties may be related to a child's language difficulties. These can include: poor concentration; poor listening skills; poor eye contact; difficulty in understanding what is said to him/her, eg jokes/jargon, or appears to be disobedient due to not understanding the commands; may develop strategies, eg 'playing up' in order to distract the person from the task he/she is unable to do;

the frustration of being unable to express one's feelings or thoughts may lead to physical action and inappropriate behaviour; difficulty in remembering information that he/she hears, but better at remembering things which he/she sees being more visually skilled; immature at play, taking longer to develop his/her social skills of taking turns and sharing; may be more withdrawn and feel isolated due to lack of confidence from their poor communication skills; can lead to a poor interpretation of the child's true abilities and intelligence by others who can only assess such skills on a verbal basis. Speech-language dis-

orders are not a simple issue to deal with. They affect many children, from varying families, cultures, socio - economic stratas etc. While parents can use many basic strategies to assist their child they need expert assessment and' intervention, support and therapy of and for their child's disorder. My son, James (3 yrs), suffers from a speech language disorder, hence my concern and frustration at the lack of adequate services for him and others like him. We need a speech language therapist in the Waimarino. Can anyone who has a child who they think may need speech/ language therapy, phone 3854-065.