Communication is more than words, it’s the bridge to understanding and connection. In this episode of Enara Talks, we sit down with Dr. Atoosa Zangeneh, Enara’s Senior Speech-Language Pathologist, to delve into the transformative world of speech therapy.
Listen in to learn how speech therapy can open doors to a brighter future.
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Podcast Transcript:
Sofia: Communication is more than just words. It's a key that opens doors to understanding and connection. Imagine the impact when a child who once struggled to express themselves finds their voice.
Who helps make these moments possible? It's someone with a deep passion for early intervention, a wealth of experience, and a dedication to empowering every child they meet.
I'm Sofia, your host, and today on Enara Talks, we’re diving into the world of transformative speech therapy with none other than Dr. Atoosa Zangeneh, Enara's very own in-house Senior Speech Language Pathologist. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Atoosa has been a guiding light for countless families, bringing hope and change through her innovative approaches. Let’s hear her story and uncover the secrets behind these breakthroughs.
Sofia: Hi, Atoosa! Welcome to Enara Talks. Why don’t you start by giving us a little background about your experience?
Dr. Atoosa: Hi, Sofia. I’m a Senior Speech Language Pathologist with more than 15 years of experience working with children and their families. I’ve worked with a range of speech and language challenges, including speech delays, autism, articulation disorders, stuttering, and other neurodiverse conditions.
I’ve had the privilege of working in various settings, such as hospitals, government and private clinics, both in Iran, where I started my career, and now in Dubai.
Sofia: That’s amazing! Why is it so important to notice early signs of speech or language delays?
Dr. Atoosa: That’s a great question. Observing a child’s development is crucial. If we notice missing milestones early, we can intervene quickly to support the child’s progress. Recognizing delays early allows us to address them with therapy or other interventions, preventing further challenges down the line.
Sofia: What do you mean by milestones?
Dr. Atoosa: Milestones are specific developmental achievements, such as speech and language, communication, behavioral, and motor skills. For example, in speech and language development, if a child doesn’t meet certain milestones within an expected age range, it can signal a delay.
For instance, between birth and one year, we expect babies to make sounds, maintain eye contact, and use gestures like pointing or waving. By their first birthday, they may say simple words like “mama” or “baba,” even if not perfectly clear.
Sofia: What about the milestones between ages one and two?
Dr. Atoosa: By one year, children typically say their first words. By 18 months, they should have around 15 words, and by two years, they start combining words into simple phrases like “mama milk” or “more water.” By this age, their speech should also be clear enough for strangers to understand.
Sofia: How does being raised in a bilingual or multilingual home affect this?
Dr. Atoosa: That’s a common concern, but learning multiple languages doesn’t cause speech delays. However, the total vocabulary might be divided across languages. For example, if a child knows 15 words, these could be spread between two languages. What’s important is consistent use of words to refer to the same objects or concepts.
Sofia: When should parents be concerned about speech delays?
Dr. Atoosa: If a child isn’t using any words by 18 months or their speech isn’t clear enough for others by two years, it’s a good idea to consult a pediatrician or speech therapist. Early intervention can make a huge difference.
Sofia: What kind of impact does early intervention have?
Dr. Atoosa: Early intervention prevents long-term challenges, like difficulties in school or low self-confidence. It also accelerates development, helping children close developmental gaps more easily compared to starting therapy later.
Sofia: What tips can parents use to support their child’s speech and language development?
Dr. Atoosa: Talking to your child is the most effective way. Describe daily activities, narrate their playtime, and use simple, short sentences. Reading books, storytelling, and singing nursery rhymes are also excellent tools.
Sofia: What if parents can’t access a therapist immediately?
Dr. Atoosa: In such cases, parents can use therapist-recommended activities, books, games, or online platforms to support their child’s development.
Sofia: What misconceptions do you encounter about speech and language delays?
Dr. Atoosa: A common one is assuming a child will “grow out of it” because another family member did. But today’s lifestyle and environmental factors, like smaller families and increased screen time, can impact communication development.
Sofia: Thank you, Atoosa, for sharing your insights! I’m looking forward to discussing bilingualism next time.
Dr. Atoosa: Thank you, Sofia. It was a pleasure, and I can’t wait for our next conversation.
Sofia: That concludes this enlightening episode. A huge thank you to Dr. Atoosa Zangeneh for sharing her wealth of knowledge and inspiring us to push boundaries in supporting neurodiverse children. See you next time on Enara Talks!
