How Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Toddlers Affects Speech (Essay Sample)

How Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) in Toddlers Affects Speech
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How ADHD in Toddlers Affects Speech
Speech and language researchers believe that toddlers with ADHD have dysfunctional motor areas in the brain linked to deficits in their speech skills. Due to the limited ability to critically mediate social cues, toddlers may develop speech problems. Toddlers with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) show difficulty maintaining attention and are easily distracted. This difficulty impacts their communication abilities. For toddlers, the prevalence of speech impairment affects around 7% of the population(Wa, 2018). They may also have other coexisting disorders. Behavioral and communication disorders overlap, as revealed from studies on language comprehension among toddlers. Speech disorders are not the primary component of diagnostic criteria for ADHD; it is common to find the speech disorder in toddlers with ADHD.
Hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity are the characteristics of ADHD. The symptoms directly influence toddlers' speech and language ability(Kumperscak, 2021, p. 61). The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association revealed that toddlers under treatment for ADHD also undergo speech therapy treatment. They have delayed development of language skills compared to those without ADHD. Language and speech problems emerging during the first three years of child development may indicate the risk of ADHD.
Researchers on speech impairment studied the comorbidity of speech impairment and ADHD in toddlers. They looked at the symptom aspects of the two developmental disorders in toddlers, naming it the ‘phenotype,’ and researched the underlying mechanism causing the symptoms. They found that when ADHD and speech impairment shares similar symptoms, they