Many children when they are younger experience some kind of difficulty with speech, language, and/or communication when they are growing up that results in them needing special attention. For some children, their speech, language, and communication needs are linked to social disadvantages. Children who have SLCN (speech, language, and communication needs) usually have problems with the production or comprehension of spoken language, with using processing speech sounds, or with understanding and using language in social contexts. Some children also have primary speech impairments or could have conditions such as learning difficulties or autistic spectrum disorders. Children who have SLCN unfortunately are sometimes faces with social exclusion. This is a complex process that involves lack of resources, rights, goods, and services and the inability to participate in the normal relationships and activities available to the majority of people in society. Social exclusion affects both the quality of life of individuals as well as the equality and structure of society as a whole. Typically, children who are socially excluded experience barriers to their full participation in society.
Children who have speech, language, and communication needs face multiple risk factors for social exclusion. Developmental Psychologist and Professor of human Development and Qualitative Methodology at the University of Maryland, Melanie Killen. explains some of the risk factors that children who have language disorders face.
Professor Killen explains that children who are excluded from their peers don't have opportunities for social interactions which makes it hard for them to have social confidence. The more someone is excluded, the more you become unmotivated which affects you in the long run.
Language disabilities can be hidden but their affects can be far reaching.
In addition to what Professor Killen explained, health, safety, participation, behavior, education, and employment are also risk factors of speech, language, and communication needs. Limited language skills are a risk factor for mental health difficulties because children with limited language skills are less likely to talk about their thoughts and feelings than their peers. Also, it is harder for these children to engage with others, resulting in higher levels of loneliness than their peers. Next, children who have language disabilities are at risk of bullying and may find it difficult to voice their concerns in certain situations, and ones that could be dangerous. However, Professor Killen says, "social exclusion is different from bullying." Killen explains that there may be times when exclusion is ok becasue people are excluded for a legitimate reason. For example, a slow runner may not be included in the race because the team wouldn't succeed. Children need to understand what situations are ok for someone to be excluded and when it is not ok.
Communication and participation are risk factors for social exclusion as well. Communication skills are fundamental to being able to make positive contributions socially and academically. In addition, one needs to be verbal to make decisions and children can appear to have difficulty thinking when they are actually struggling with the language needed for them to contribute. The impact speech, language, and communication needs has on children has an effect on their interaction with their peers. Toddlers who have limited language are more likely to be withdrawn and less likely to play with their peers. Likely, children in pre-school settings could be ignored by their peers and are less responsive if others try to engage in them. Behavior is also affected by language impairments. Children can be at risk of developing anti-social and criminal behaviors in the long run. Social communication skills are necessary for building relationships, so it is likely that children and young people with conduct disorders may have problems in this area.
Communication and education are also risk factors for children with speech, language, and communication needs. Having such needs can make it difficult for teachers to virtually assess in the school setting. Most aspects of education are underpinned by language and yet good communication skills are often assumed or expected. Language skills are key to the development of literacy so children who have certain needs are at risk of literacy difficulties, therefore limiting their access to education. Finally, in an increasingly driven world we live in today, employers value young people with good communication and interaction skills. People who have speech, language, and communication needs can be as a disadvantage in the working world.
Language and social exclusion have been linked and hold a strong connection to one another.
The link between social exclusion and speech, language, and communication needs work in two directions. One is those who experience the needs are at risk of social exclusion, and second, those who experience social disadvantage are at risk of having impaired communication skills. Inadequate language and communication skills put children at disadvantages which can have a huge impact on their lives. It is vital for children to have early interactions with people because just hearing language is not enough to help children be effective communicators. The quality of interaction a child experiences is important for their development. Professor Killen describes the language problems to be a stigma, further influencing the children's social well beings.
Children don't include others sometimes because they think they have something wrong with them, which is not always the case. Early interactions and healthy attachments are important for the development of thinking, language, and emotional literacy skills. Sadly, children who do not have strong early attachments are at risk of disadvantage in regards of language and behavior. The earlier children experience interactions, the better because the experiences will affect the rest of their development. Many research studies have been conducted to help children improve their speech, language, and communication needs. Programs are available for children who are in need to help them get through their difficulties and better exceed during their lives.
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