Bilingualism in Children
One of the most prevalent myths about bilingualism is that it causes language delay in children. This myth, however, has been consistently debunked by numerous research studies! In fact, research has proven this to be false for children both with and without autism.
The Bilingualism Myth
Despite the prevalence of this myth, the truth is that being bilingual does not cause language delay in children. This misconception may come from the observation that children learning two languages simultaneously may initially develop vocabulary in each language more slowly than children learning just one language. However, this is simply because bilingual children are dividing their time and attention between two languages. By age two, children should be speaking between 50 - 100 words (mayoclinic.org). However, if that child is learning two languages at the same time, then they may know 50% in each language. If that child is then only assessed in ONE of those languages, then we are discounting all of their other knowledge! When considered collectively, their total vocabulary (across both languages) is often comparable to, if not greater than, that of monolingual children.
The Benefits of Bilingualism
Bilingualism offers numerous benefits to young children! Bilingual children often display enhanced cognitive abilities, particularly in areas such as problem-solving, multitasking, and focus. Bilingualism also provides social and cultural benefits, as it allows children to communicate with a broader range of individuals and exposes them to multiple cultures. The process of navigating and switching between two languages fosters enhanced cognitive flexibility, a skill invaluable in adapting to various social scenarios.
Bilingualism and Autism
The myth of bilingualism causing or worsening a language delay is especially common in discussions about children with autism. However, research has shown that being bilingual does not worsen language difficulties in children with autism. On the contrary, bilingualism can provide unique benefits for these children, such as improved social skills and enhanced cognitive flexibility. Switching between two languages involves recognizing the social environment that they are in and making appropriate adjustments. For example, a child might learn to speak English with their teacher and Spanish with their grandparents. This utilizes the child’s ability to recognize the makeup of their social environment! For children on the autism spectrum, communication can be a unique journey. Bilingualism provides an additional avenue for expression, allowing these children to communicate in ways that resonate with them personally. It becomes a tool for self-expression and connection. Every child is unique, and bilingualism becomes a part of that individuality. It empowers autistic children to embrace their distinctive cognitive strengths and linguistic abilities, gaining a sense of pride in their identity.
Embrace Bilingualism
Bilingualism should be embraced, not feared. It is another thing that makes your child unique! So, if you are raising a child in a bilingual environment, continue to foster their language development in both languages, and celebrate the many advantages that bilingualism can bring.
