Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
Congenital Hypothyrodism and Speech
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
Congenital Hypothyrodism and Speech
by Jessie S, Mar 16, 2002 12:00AM
Our 8 yr old daughter was born with congenital hypothyrodism. She was placed on medication immediatley after the newborn screening determined her condition. Her pediatrican would now like to have her speech evaluated for delay. I have read enough to know that it is reasonable to question her congenital hypothyrodism in connection to this delay. I would like to learn more about this possible connection, so that I can help choose the appropriate direction for the speech evaluation. The speech center that I have spoken with is unfamiliar with the effects of congenital hypothrodism on speech. Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Mar 17, 2002 12:00AM
, Mar 17, 2002 12:00AM
You'll be OK if you can have your daughter evaluated by a speech and language pathologist who specializes in the pediatric population. The clinician can determine your daughter's status in relation to the development of speech and language, and determine the appropriate therapy regimen to addres any difficulities that may be found. The relationship to hypothyroidism need not be central to the matter you're investigating. In other words, the key is to determine if there are any abnormalities and to attempt to remedy them. That course will be true regardless of the causative factors, at least in a general sense. Start with the basics and go from there.
