Ideal parenting is not just about taking care of the daily needs of one’s children. It is also about ensuring their emotional strength and healthy self-esteem over the years. Unfortunately, American children are not doing great in this context. According to a survey, self-confidence among young girls has plummeted. While 68% of them felt confident in 2017, the number has dropped to 55% in 2023.
The issue is even more concerning among children with speech disorders. Medical News Today notes that speech disorders can affect an individual’s self-esteem and quality of life. For a parent, seeing your child struggle with the disability and its mental health implications can be painful. However, there are ways to help your child deal with the challenges they face.
In this article, we will help you with some actionable strategies to make your child confident and self-assured, regardless of their speech-related struggles.
Treat Your Child Like Everyone Else
The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states that 8 to 9% of young children in the US suffer from speech-sound disorders. By the first grade, 5% of kids have noticeable challenges like stuttering and dysarthria. Many of them have multiple disorders, making them harder to deal with. For a parent, knowing that your child is not alone is reassuring.
While you may question your fate, you should not give up and treat your child as a “different” one. Consider them like their siblings or friends if you want them to become happy and confident. Acceptance is the first step toward normalcy, and it begins at home in the family. Knowing that they are like others boosts the self-esteem of these kids despite their special needs and challenges.
Listen Actively and Communicate Effectively
When a child has speech difficulties, parents may not be able to understand what they want to express. This can be painful for both, but the best solution is to show that you are paying attention.
Focus on what they want to speak rather than how they speak it. Maintain good eye contact throughout the conversation and pay attention to their body language.
Besides honing your listening skills, create different means of communication for your child. For example, you can work together to devise signs and gestures. As your child learns to read and write, encourage them to use writing as a means of communication. Once you break the barriers, the child will feel more confident and less frustrated.
Seek Professional Help Early
No matter how much you love your child, your effort to help them overcome a speech disability may not be enough. Early intervention by a professional is your best bet. Consider a speech and language evaluation if your baby has never babbled, played with different sounds, used jargon, or spoken a word by 18 months.
Fortunately, the speech-language pathology industry in the US is thriving, with more than 81,000 professionals offering these services. The availability of online speech pathology master’s programs is one reason more professionals are exploring this domain. These programs open up opportunities for people looking to enter the industry while working in their current roles.
According to Ithaca College, students with a background in speech-language-hearing and communication disorders can enroll in these courses for higher credentials. Conversely, students not coming from this background can leverage online courses as a leveling pathway.
A qualified professional does more than help your child. They can be your mentor, helping you develop your child’s self-confidence.
Praise Efforts
Positive reinforcement always works to build confidence levels and self-esteem in children. It is even more important for those with special needs.
Since these kids are highly sensitive, they benefit from praise from parents, teachers, and siblings. They feel good about being able to make others happy and try following the same again.
Being specific with praise helps as it enables the child to understand what they have achieved to get appreciation. For example, try appreciating them when they listen, understand, and help with small tasks like washing dishes or folding clothes. Be consistent with the way you praise their efforts. Also, do not skimp on appreciation, as it can boost their self-esteem.
Raising a child with speech disorders can be challenging, regardless of the immense love you feel for them. While you may want to focus on their academic development, this isn’t the only matter that deserves your attention. Your child’s mental well-being is equally significant because their emotional struggle is far greater than you imagine.
As a parent, you can do your bit to help your child grow into a happy and self-assured person. Remember that their abilities should not define their self-esteem and confidence. Follow these simple tips and see them thrive.