People with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) may have difficulties with speech and language. This can present as delayed development. Each person will have their own strengths and struggles, but those with FXS are commonly better at understanding language than using language themselves.
Speech and language therapists can carry out an assessment to understand the areas in which an individual needs extra help. These areas might include speech, social communication, attention, listening and understanding language. Therapies or help offered will be tailored to the individual but may include articulation exercises, language programmes, social skills therapy or listening activities.
It is important to understand speech and language therapy is not just about helping your child to speak but to assist in all areas of संचार. There are different types of speech and language therapy ranging from swallowing therapies to pragmatic therapies.
If the individual is non-speaking, use of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) may be introduced. This involves alternative forms of communication such as sign language or using pictures. There are also examples of speech and language therapy exercises.
If you think speech and language therapy may be beneficial for your loved one, please ask your doctor or school to recommend a therapist.
The Speech and Language UK website includes a ‘Help for Families’ section and a ‘Resource Library for Educators’ अनुभाग।.
This page discusses the following topics:
- Symptoms and Signs Therapy Would be Beneficial
- Sign Language
- Pragmatic Language
- Examples of Speech and Language Therapy Exercises
- संसाधन
Symptoms and Signs Therapy Would be Beneficial
Here are some signs and symptoms that suggest your loved one may benefit from speech and language therapy:
- Difficulty listening and remembering what people say
- Difficulty learning new words
- Difficulty understanding sentences, particularly longer ones
- Difficulty following instructions given to them
- Difficulty answering questions
- Difficulty putting words together into sentences
- Difficulty telling you what they want, telling you about something or telling you how they feel
- Challenges with hearing
- Having a physical condition that affects speech or a family history of speech difficulties
- Getting stuck trying to say a word, stretching sounds in words or repeating whole words (stammering)
Sign Language
Sign language is a visual form of communication using a combination of gestures, facial expression and body language. It is mainly used by people who are deaf but can be useful for those who have any difficulties with communication.
Each country will have different sign languages, for example British Sign Language (BSL) in Britain. There are also variations of sign language aimed to support spoken language, for example Sign Supported English (SSE) which uses the same signs as BSL but the signs are used in the same order as spoken English, helping an individual to learn English grammar.
द British Sign Language website has further resources.
Makaton is a communication programme that uses symbols and signs to help people communicate. In Makaton, signs are used with speech in spoken order, helping provide extra clues about what someone is saying. Makaton includes a core vocabulary (the foundation of the programme) and open-ended, topic-based vocabulary. Unlike British Sign Language, Makaton is not a complete language but rather a supplementary communication system. Therefore, Makaton is not appropriate for interaction with deaf people, but rather helps those who are hearing but face communication challenges. Makaton can be used overseas, but you will need to learn the correct signs and symbols for that country — the signs are not international.
अधिक जानकारी उपलब्ध है। the Makaton website.
Pragmatic Language
Pragmatic language is about using appropriate communication in social situations (what to say, how to say it, and when to say it).
Pragmatic language includes:
- Using language for different purposes, such as greetings, informing or requesting
- Changing language for the listener, for example how you talk to your parents, your teacher, or a stranger
- Following rules of conversation, such as taking turns, introducing new topics, re-wording when misunderstood and respecting personal space
Things you can do to help develop pragmatic language:
- Practice greetings and ending conversations
- Help your child identify the topic of conversation
- Tell a story but do not give enough information, encourage them to ask you questions
- Encourage them to practice storytelling about real life events, ask them questions and explain why you are asking
- Practice role-playing where they have to explain something to different people (for example, to a younger child, grandmother, etc.) and talk about appropriate language
- Practice non-verbal cues such as recognising body language
Examples of Speech and Language Therapy Exercises
Using visuals to support communication
Many children develop understanding before language. When we say words, they disappear quickly, however visual supports last longer, providing something for the individual to focus on. When using visuals, first teach them what the symbol means with repetition and practice consistently. You can use a variety of visuals that range from concrete to abstract such as: objects, photos, drawings, symbols and then written words (listed in order from concrete to abstract).
Blank level activities
Using a bag of miscellaneous objects, let the individual pick one out and ask them what it is. Then line the objects up and ask them to pick up ‘X’. You can add variety to this activity, for example, ‘Run to the X’ or ‘throw the bean bag onto X’.
Then try using picture books, ask ‘What is this?’ then ‘Where is X?’
You can use this activity for maths as well, asking them to find you the ‘1’ or find you the ‘+’ sign.
Additionally, this practice can be incorporated into the day, for example: ‘Where is the ball?’, ‘Show me your shirt’.
Category skills
Choose a category, for example, animals, and then use the following games or activities:
- Ask the individual to name as many things as they can in the category
- Ask them to group pictures into categories
- Ask them to find the odd one out (this can be done with object categories or sounds)
- Describe the things in the category (one person guesses while the other describes)
- Pair things that go together (like knife and fork)
- Word fills, for example, ‘The ____ goes woof’.
- Ask them to find pictures beginning with a particular letter
- Ask them for rhymes, for example, ‘What rhymes with cat?’
