Speech therapy A way to overcome linguistic and academic challenges in children with Phenylketonuria
Speech therapy A way to overcome linguistic and academic challenges in children with Phenylketonuria
Dr. Atieh Ashtari, a faculty member of the Speech Therapy Department at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, said: Some children with Phenylketonuria face challenges in vocabulary development, sentence formation, understanding instructions, and academic readiness, in which speech therapy can play a significant role in improving these issues.
According to the university web-day reporter, Dr. Atieh Ashtari, a faculty member of the Speech Therapy Department at university of social welfare and rehabilitation sciences, on the occasion of Phenylketonuria Day and referring to the nature of this disease, said: Phenylketonuria is a hereditary metabolic disorder in which the child's body, due to a deficiency in breaking down the amino acid phenylalanine, faces an increase in the level of this substance in the blood. If this disorder is not identified and controlled in time, the accumulation of phenylalanine can affect brain growth and function.
She added: This condition may involve consequences such as cognitive developmental delays, learning difficulties, attention and concentration disorders, behavioral difficulties, and impairments in speech, language, and communication development. Therefore, newborn screening, early diagnosis, prompt initiation of dietary treatment, and regular follow-ups play a very important role in preventing the permanent complications of this disease.
This faculty member of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, emphasizing the role of rehabilitation services alongside medical and nutritional care, said: Speech therapy can be an important part of the developmental support pathway for children with Phenylketonuria. A speech and language pathologist, through a comprehensive assessment of receptive and expressive language skills, speech, auditory attention, verbal memory, linguistic processing, social interaction, and learning prerequisite skills, can identify the communication and language needs of these children promptly.
Dr. Ashtari continued: Some children with Phenylketonuria may face challenges in vocabulary development, sentence formation, narrative speech skills, understanding instructions, high-level language skills, readiness for reading and writing, or academic performance. Speech therapy intervention, through person-centered planning, parent training, strengthening parent-child interaction, increasing communication opportunities in natural environments, and collaborating with the family, school, and other members of the treatment team, can help improve the quality of the child's communication, learning, and social participation.
She also emphasized: Timely referral to speech therapy services should not be delayed until serious problems become apparent. Children with Phenylketonuria, if they receive comprehensive, early, and continuous medical and rehabilitative care, can experience a healthier developmental path, more effective learning, and a more active presence in family, educational, and social life.
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