How Anxiety in Kids & Communication Disorders Are Related

Anxiety is a mental health issue that affects people of all ages, including children. The CDC reports that 10% of children ages 3-17 have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder (9% of males and 11% of females), and that number has been on the rise. 

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

• General Anxiety Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Separation Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder

Can speech be affected by anxiety?

Anxiety can manifest in a way that affects a person’s ability to effectively communicate with others. Likewise, communication disorders can cause anxiety. For example, a child who has struggled with speaking clearly and communicating with others may experience anxiety about these social interactions and worry about being judged by others.

A kid with anxiety is more prone to developing communication difficulties that affect speech. Anxiety can interfere with a child’s ability to concentrate and process language. This can impact their ability to communicate effectively. 

An anxious child is less likely to engage in social situations and verbal conversations. This is because of the fear and anxiety of making a mistake and being judged by others. A child with social anxiety may be afraid to make friends or speak up in a group activity or classroom. This leads to a lack of speech practice and difficulties communicating. 

There are also physical symptoms that can manifest with anxiety and make communication more challenging. These include but are not limited to shaking, stuttering, and difficulty making eye contact. 

Children's speech problems linked to anxiety disorders

Children’s speech problems that are linked to an anxiety disorder can manifest itself in various ways. Some common speech-related issues associated with anxiety include:

1. Stuttering or Stammering: Anxiety can worsen stuttering as well as cause a child to have a stutter. The symptoms may include hesitation to speak, repeating words, and difficulty starting out words or sentences. This is especially common in situations where they feel pressured or stressed such as speaking aloud in class. 
2. Selective Mutism: Selective mutism is an anxiety-related disorder where an individual may speak normally in certain situations (such as at home with family) while not speaking at all in other situations (at school or around unfamiliar people). It can cause significant challenges for a child’s social and academic development. Children with selective mutism experience intense fear in specific situations, particularly around speaking in front of others. This fear can stem from concerns about being judged, saying something wrong, or being in an unfamiliar environment. Their response to this anxiety is not to speak at all.
3. Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) - Developmental Language Disorder is a condition that was previously known as Specific Language Impairment (SLI).  A child with this condition may have normal intelligence and hearing abilities but experience difficulties with language acquisition. It affects their ability to understand and use spoken language in various contexts. This may include grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Unlike a delay in language development, DLD persists and doesn’t necessarily improve without intervention. There is a significant link between DLD and anxiety. Children with DLD often face challenges in social situations, academic settings, and everyday communication. This can lead to frustration and feelings of inadequacy. While not all children with DLD will develop anxiety, they are at a higher risk.  Early intervention and support, such as speech therapy and strategies for managing anxiety, can help reduce the impact of both conditions.
4. Delayed Speech Development: While anxiety does not cause delayed speech development, a child with anxiety may show delays relating to it. Their anxiety may lessen their desire to engage in social interactions, delaying their speech development. 
5. Speech Avoidance: A child with anxiety may avoid speaking altogether or limit their communication in situations that they do not feel comfortable in. 
6. Social Communication Difficulties: A child with anxiety may struggle to make eye contact and speak using a low voice/whisper. 
7. Voice Disorders: Anxiety can lead to muscle tension. This tension can cause hoarseness or strain while speaking. 

Speech Therapy For Anxiety-Related Speech Disorders

Anxiety can cause speech problems in kids. Caregivers and educators need to understand the effects of anxiety on speech and arrange the necessary treatments to remove the barrier and set the child up for success and positive social interactions. 

Speech therapy is crucial to support the child with their speech and communication needs. A speech therapist will work with the child to develop a plan that fits their needs. Speech therapy can improve speech and language skills, reducing frustration and increasing confidence for the child. Speech therapy for a child with anxiety-induced speech problems may include articulation exercises, language development activities as well as strategies to improve conversational skills. As the child’s communication abilities improve, they may feel less anxious about interacting with others, which can help reduce their overall anxiety.

Every child deserves to feel confident. While speech therapy may not be a cure for anxiety, it can lessen the burden of the added speech problems that may go along with it, improving the child’s quality of life. 

At Great Speech, we understand that it’s not always easy to attend an in-person session. We realize that a child with anxiety may be more comfortable being in their own environment and doing online speech therapy instead. We offer virtual speech therapy for all ages. Simply schedule your free introductory call today!