Problemy z diagnozą zaburzeń rozwoju dzieci dwujęzycznych

Abstract

Bilingualism and multilingualism is a phenomenon that is becoming better understood, more thoroughly researched and, above all, increasingly common. The positive impact of bilingualism situations on children’s cognitive and linguistic development has been repeatedly emphasized, and the myth of the connection between bilingualism and delayed speech development has been debunked. However, there is an area that requires special attention and discussion in the case of bilingualism/multilingualism, and that is the diagnosis of developmental disorders of children functioning in a bilingual situation. It should be unequivocally emphasized that bilingualism and multilingualism have no formal connection with any developmental disorder, while they negatively affect the timing and speed of diagnosis of problems. This is because it very often serves as the first argument used to explain different reactions, behaviors, actions, type of play, etc. This phenomenon, still prevalent both in Poland and abroad, is not only unjustified, but, above all, poses a threat to early, effective therapeutic help for children with developmental disorders.