Question

A nurse is assessing a preschooler. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse a need for speech therapy? Option 1: Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. Option 2: Frequent coughing during meals. Option 3: Shyness around other children. Option 4: Height below the 5th percentile.

Answer 1

Difficulty in pronouncing certain sounds in a preschooler is an indicator for the need for speech therapy, as it may signify a speech disorder or language delay. This area of concern is specific to communication and language development, which necessitates professional intervention.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse assessing a preschooler and observing difficulty in pronouncing certain sounds should be inclined to suggest a need for speech therapy. Difficulty in pronunciation during the developmental years may be a sign of a speech disorder or language delay and often requires professional assessment and intervention. This can be especially critical if it impacts the child's ability to communicate effectively. While other options such as frequent coughing during meals, shyness, or being below a certain height percentile might indicate other concerns, they do not directly suggest an immediate need for speech therapy.

As preschoolers develop, they make significant progress in cognitive and language development, and it is critical for health professionals and educators to recognize signs that may signify a developmental delay or disorder. In some cases, such as with children suffering from dyslexia, children may exhibit difficulties with speech along with problems in reading, writing, and sometimes numeracy. Effective early intervention, such as the strategies employed by experts at the University of Chicago that include home visits and specialized preschool programs, can help bridge the achievement gap and support language development.

Answer 2

The need for speech therapy in a preschooler is indicated by difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. This can be addressed by speech therapists who work on specific pronunciation challenges and support language development broadly.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options presented for a preschooler, the finding that should indicate to a nurse a need for speech therapy is: Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. This could be indicative of a communication disorder or speech delay, which speech therapy is apt to address. The other options presented (frequent coughing during meals, shyness around other children, height below the 5th percentile) might suggest other concerns, such as swallowing difficulties, potential psychological or social issues, and growth concerns, none of which are directly related to speech therapy.

Children with dyslexia or other language disorders might exhibit similar problems, which can involve difficulties with spelling, reading, speaking, and sometimes, handling numbers. Speech therapists can provide interventions that target specific pronunciation problems and other language challenges to support language development.

It's also worth noting that cognitive and language development are closely linked during early childhood, a period in which children can greatly benefit from interventions that promote language skills, as seen in the example of specialized preschools improving language development among children from diverse economic backgrounds.