THE IMPACT OF EARTHQUAKES ON CHILDREN’S LANGUAGE AND SPEECH DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2023 EARTHQUAKE

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This study aims to evaluate the impact of earthquakes on the language and speech development of children. Traumatic effects of earthquakes on children may negatively influence language acquisition and speech development. The stress and insecurity experienced during such disasters can lead to delays or disorders in children's language learning abilities. Our research was conducted in the cities of Malatya, Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, and Hatay, which were affected by the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023. A total of 145 children receiving speech and language therapy were included in the study. A 25-question survey was administered to gather sociodemographic data and evaluate earthquake-related changes in language and speech abilities. While 60% of participants believed their child’s language development regressed after the earthquake, 32.4% did not observe any regression. Communication with the child increased in 73.2% of families, while 11.7% reported no change. A lack of self-confidence was observed in 53.1% of children, and 26.9% did not exhibit any notable difference. Among children, 58.6% were described as understanding events and asking questions, while 29.7% did not. Use of earthquake-related vocabulary in peer communication increased in 63.4% of children. The ability to express emotions through language was negatively affected in 55.1% of cases, and 73.1% of parents observed the impact of stress on language development. Children with speech and language disorders living in disaster zones were evidently affected by this crisis. Disruptions in both psychological and educational processes resulted in psycholinguistic impairments. This study emphasizes the necessity for support mechanisms and targeted interventions to mitigate these effects.

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