International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VII, July 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Effects of Speech and Language Disorders in Early Childhood.
Dr Stephen M. Nzoka.
Kenyatta University, Kenya
I.INTRODUCTION
This paper is developed on the philosophy that disabilities, be they congenital or adventitious, should not necessarily be handicaps if timely medical, educational and technological interventions have been put in place, (Barraga 1986). This augment remains true and valid whether the child is in a monolingual or multilingual context. The theme before us puts emphasis on child’s developmental disorders in a ‘multilingual context’ implying the sort of consequences or effects that would follow such a child with a defective speech and language disorders. Such effects encompass isolation, labeling, child abuse, segregation, stigma, nicknaming to name but a few. To worsen the matter, such dehumanizing practices take place at home, school, church/mosque, village and community affecting a child of 2 years to 8 years.
Undoubtedly, the above social barriers apply to all categories of children. In this paper, however, special attention will be given to pre-primary and primary school going children (2 years to 8 years) with speech and language disorders, (Nzoka 2021). Speech and language are here taken to be one and complementary. In fact, there would be no language without speech. Defective speech organs often lead to language disorders, (Hallahan and Kauffman, 1991). Children with hearing impairment, autism spectrum, children with emotional and behavioral disorders, children with physical impairment and children with multiple disorders are examples. It is these disorders that lead to disabilities unless timely intervened.
II. DEFINITION OF TERMS
Disability: disability is not a disease. Its rather non contagious condition – be it visual, physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, linguistic—which makes someone unable to use a part(s) of his or her body in daily chores. Subsequently, disabilities results from the impairment of a given organ(s) in case of multiple disorders.
Handicap relates to the disadvantages experienced in society by the individual, as a result of his/her disability. It’s a disadvantage that makes progress or success difficult.
Developmental impairments are impairments in a child’s physical, cognitive, linguistic, emotional or behavioral development. Often, developmental disorders do cause developmental disorders such as visual, locomotion, drawing, writing and all other psychomotor activities. Similarly, cognitive disorders are responsible for the rest of human disability. In general, nervous system disorders, sensory related disorders, metabolic disorders and degenerative disorders and among the chief developmental disorders that