How to Tell if Your Child Has a Speech Delay
Leanne Sherred, M.S., CCC-SLP
Wondering if your child has a speech delay? You aren't alone. Parents and caregivers often wonder if their child could be behind in their speech development. Truth be told, determining whether your toddler or preschooler is a "late talker" or needs professional help isn’t always easy.
In order to decide on next steps, it's vital to understand what's typical--and what's not--when it comes to childhood speech and language development. Expressable understands the importance of sharing this information with parents and caregivers. In this article, we explain the 5 key signs of a potential speech delay and what to do if you notice any of them in your child.
Could your child have a speech delay?
Take our screener5 signs of a speech delay
1 Not learning or using new words
Between ages 18 and 30 months, toddlers should be growing in their language development by regularly using new words. They should also be starting to string words together to make simple phrases, like "I want snack!," or to ask questions, such as "Where's Mommy?" If you don’t hear your child saying new words often, this may be a sign of a speech or language delay.
You can learn more about expected developmental milestones for toddlers and preschoolers in our articles covering 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, and 3-year-olds.
2 Difficulty imitating or producing sounds
Another way to keep an eye on your child's development is to observe how easily they imitate sounds, or even make their own sounds. Babies should begin babbling between 6 and 9 months old, with their verbal skills progressing even more at 9 months and older.
At around 9 to 12 months, you should see your baby starting to imitate environmental sounds or animal sounds, like "vroom vroom!" or "woof woof!"
By age 1, your toddler's imitation skills should be improving even more. One-year-olds typically try to repeat sounds, and even some words, after you. Their pronunciation won't be perfect, but their attempts are what's important. If your child is not readily imitating sounds and words, this can be a sign of a speech delay.
3 Not using gestures
Even if your child isn’t talking yet, actively using gestures is a good sign that they're developing other communication skills. Gestures actually support verbal language development and are an excellent sign of growing language skills. If a 1-year-old child is not using many gestures, this can be a sign of a speech delay. Gestures can include things like:
Waving “hi"
Pointing to food or an item they want
Raising their arms so you'll pick them up
Using simple signs for "more," "please," or other functional words
If your child is not using gestures, there’s a higher likelihood they could have a communication problem.
4 Trouble understanding language
Many children are able to understand basic commands and language before they start using words themselves. If your child seems to understand what they hear--for example, they point to objects when you name them, or follow simple instructions--these are good signs that their receptive language is on track. However, if you think your toddler isn't able to grasp what others are saying, there is a chance that their comprehension is behind. Given that children must understand language before they can use it, this would likely lead to a speech delay.
5 Frustration when trying to communicate
It's normal for young children to have some frustration when trying to figure out how to say what they want to. They're learning how to talk, after all! But this frustration typically isn't frequent or severe, and you should be able to understand your child at least some of the time.
If your child often ends up in tears or throws fits when they're trying to tell you something, this is a strong sign of a speech delay. Imagine not being able to communicate when you want something to eat or drink, or if you need help. That would make anyone upset.
Try asking your child to show you what they need if they can't tell you. Maybe they can point to what they need, or even just give you some clues.
You can also ask them yes or no questions: "Are you hungry?" "Do you want an apple?" Find ways to communicate with them that are more direct and simple.
Concerned about your child's speech?
We're here for you. Get matched with a speech therapist who's experienced in your child's area of need and available when you are.
Find a speech therapistWhat should you do if you think your child has a speech delay?
Research in speech and language disorders has shown that the earlier speech therapy begins, the better the outcomes. If you think your child may be struggling, consider scheduling an evaluation with a speech-language pathologist, also known as a speech therapist.
A speech therapist is best equipped to evaluate your child, discuss any concerns you have, and provide professional guidance on whether your child should start an early intervention program to receive speech therapy for speech delay. Helping your child learn to communicate clearly will benefit their social, academic, and emotional development.
Online speech therapy for toddlers and kids
Here at Expressable, our licensed speech therapists have worked with thousands of toddlers and preschoolers to help them learn to talk and progress in their communication.
Even if you aren't sure if your child needs speech therapy, you can talk with one of our specialists to ask any questions. This brief consultation call is easy to schedule and completely free. If you decide to have your child evaluated, the specialist can help you set that up.
Your Expressable speech therapist will work closely with you to help your child with their speech delay. Personalized goals and fun, engaging online sessions help kids enjoy each appointment (and grow their skills while doing it!).
Our clients also have access to our online portal for daily support. You can access expert tips, examples, demo videos, and home practice activities. That way you can practice speech skills with your child at home, as part of your daily routines. Research shows it's the best way for your child to make progress.
Reach out to us today! You don't have to navigate your child's speech and language development alone.
