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IU Health Bedford To Free Speech, Language & Hearing Screenings

Last updated on Monday, May 12, 2014

(BEDFORD) - In recognition of national Better Hearing and Speech Month this May, IU Health Bedford Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center will provide a free speech, language, and hearing screening for children of Lawrence County residents throughout the month of May.

What: Free speech, language, and hearing screening for children

When: May 12 - 30

Where: IU Health Bedford Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center 2900 W 16th Street

Why: Early diagnosis of a speech and/or language disorder is critical to a child's academic and social development and success. The earlier these disorders are treated, the easier, more effective, less expensive, and shorter the course of treatment will be.

How: Please contact IU Health Bedford Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center to schedule a free appointment for your child at (812) 275-1366. No walk-in times available.

With 8%-9% of young children suffering from speech disorders, May's Better Hearing and Speech Month is the perfect time for parents to learn how to recognize the early signs of these disorders. IU Health Bedford Hospital-based speech-language pathologist, Carrie Wade, is encouraging parents to educate themselves through the Identify the Signs campaign, a national effort of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The campaign is designed to combat an overall lack of awareness about communication disorders- a major barrier to treatment for the more than 40 million total Americans who suffer.

Speech, language, and hearing disorders are among the most common disabilities in the United States. However, unlike many other disabilities, these disorders often are reversible and even preventable with early intervention. Unfortunately,many parents do not recognize the first signs of these disorders. In young children, early treatment can help prevent them from falling behind academically, socially, and in other key areas at a critical time in their development.

"As a speech-language pathologist, I see the benefits of early intervention every day. Unfortunately, I also see the consequences of parents' and others' waiting too long to seek treatment-which is why the Identify the Signs campaign is so important," said Carrie Wade, IU Health Bedford Hospital speech-language pathologist. "While it is certainly nevertoo late to seek help, treatment is most successful, less expensive, and takes the shortest amount of time when aparent or loved one is able to pick up on the earliest signs of these disorders."

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