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Expert Q&A

	By Mindy Hudon Speech and Language Pathologist

We are looking into international adoption. One child available to us is labeled with severe language delay in his native language. The child is 3 years old. We are concerned that the child will not be able to learn English at a normal rate because of his current delay. We aren't sure how to proceed. We are told that a speech specialist in the native country is working with the child, but we don't know to what extent and what they results have been. Is it too much to hope that our country's (USA) speech language pathologists could make better and faster headway and help the child deal with his current delays and master the English language in a relatively normal amount of time? Or does it sound like this child is destined to be permanently delayed due to the current circumstances and the addition of a second language? Any advice you can give would be appreciated.

I admire that your are considering adopting a child with special needs. The world is full of these wonderful children who need our love and support. I cannot say how long this child will need treatment or if he/she will be permanently delayed. I do know that a speech and language pathologist will be able to help you help this child. Family involvement in treatment is critical to a child's progress.

This child does have two obstacles to overcome. First, he needs to learn a new language. Second, he is already delayed in his current language. Speech and language therapy will address the language impairment while enriching the English language. I would suggest contacting your local school district and seeing how to get him enrolled in a preschool language enriched program where he would be able to receive a full developmental evaluation and treatment as indicated. Placing him in a preschool program will expose him to other children speaking English where he will also be able to receive speech and language services.

Also, you could have him evaluated by a facility that specializes in bilingual assessment and intervention in your area. Contact the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association at ASHA.org for information on clinician's in your area. There are many services available in this country to assist you with this child. I hope this helps you to make the right decision for you and this special child.

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