sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site

Warning-sign checks

Phonological disorder: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for speech difficulty that begins suddenly, especially with facial drooping, weakness, severe headache, confusion, loss of balance, or difficulty understanding speech.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical assessment if a child loses speech or language skills they previously had.

    Loss of skills is not a typical feature of an uncomplicated phonological disorder and may have another cause.

    In any child or adult, these may be signs of a stroke or another urgent neurological problem.

    Sudden speech change after a head injury, choking episode, or breathing problem also needs urgent care.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine assessment if a child’s speech is regularly difficult to understand, sound errors are causing frustration, or the child avoids speaking.

    It is also reasonable to seek advice if speech seems to be progressing more slowly than expected, errors persist, or a teacher raises concerns.

The article also says

Ask about a hearing evaluation if the child often does not respond to sounds, turns up devices unusually loudly, has repeated ear problems, or has not had hearing checked.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Phonological disorder. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.