How to Recognize the Early Signs of Speech and Language Delays

As a parent, it's natural to feel a mix of excitement and concern as you watch your child grow and develop. One area that parent’s often worry about is speech and language development - trust me, even as a professional, I get anxious about my children’s development! Early recognition of potential delays can make a significant difference in getting the right help for your child. Let’s discuss what you can look for and when it might be a good idea to get a speech therapy evaluation

Understanding Speech and Language Development Milestones

Before diving into the signs of delays, it’s helpful to understand some basic, typical speech and language milestones:

• Birth to 3 months: Babies start to coo and make gurgling sounds. They react to loud noises and recognize familiar voices.

• 4 to 6 months: Babbling begins, and babies make sounds like “ba-ba” or “ga-ga.” They also start to laugh and vocalize pleasure and displeasure.

• 7 to 12 months: Babies understand simple words like “no” and “bye-bye.” They may start to say a few words like “mama” and “dada.”

• 12 to 18 months: Vocabulary begins to expand. Children typically say several single words and understand simple instructions.

• 18 to 24 months: Toddlers use simple phrases, combine two words, and have a vocabulary of about 50 words or more.

• 2 to 3 years: Vocabulary rapidly increases. Children use three-word sentences and are understood by family members most of the time.

Early Signs of Speech and Language Delays

Here are some signs that might indicate a delay, for which speech therapy may be helpful to support your child’s development:

1. Lack of Babbling (By 12 Months): If your baby isn’t babbling by 12 months, it might be a sign of a delay. Babbling is a critical precursor to language development.

2. Limited Use of Gestures (By 12 Months): Babies typically use gestures like pointing, waving, and nodding to communicate before they can talk. A lack of gestures can indicate a delay.

3. No Words (By 16 Months): By 16 months, most children can say at least a few words. If your child hasn’t spoken any words by this age, it might be time to seek an evaluation

4. Difficulty Following Simple Instructions (By 2 Years): Children should be able to understand and follow simple commands like “come here” or “give me the ball” by the age of 2.

5. Limited Vocabulary (By 2 Years): Typically, a 2-year-old has a vocabulary of about 50 words and can combine two words to form simple sentences.

6. Unintelligible Speech (By 3 Years): By age 3, you child should be understood most of the time. If your child’s speech is difficult to understand, you are consistently having to translate for them, ask for repetition, or guess what they are saying, an evaluation can help you determine if speech therapy would be beneficial or if it’s better to wait.

7. Limited Interest in Interaction: Children with speech and language delays might show little interest in social interactions or playing with others. This could also be an early sign of autism.

Seeking Professional Help

If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, it’s important to consult with a professional. Here’s what you can do to take action:

1. Consult with an SLP: Speech therapists are professionals who specialize in speech and language development and can appropriately provide evaluations and speech therapy for your child if needed. SLPs are knowledgable regarding the most current developmental norms and recommendations for supporting your child’s speech and language development.

2. Talk to Your Pediatrician: Discuss your concerns during regular check-ups. Your pediatrician can refer you to speech therapy if recommended.

3. Early Intervention Services: If your child is under 3 years old, you may be eligible for early intervention (EI) services through state or local programs. These services provide support and resources to help your child develop essential skills.

4. School-Based Support: For children over 3, public schools often provide speech and language services if your child qualifies (See Understanding Speech Therapy Options: Early Intervention, School-Based, and Private Services for more information).

Supporting Your Child’s Development at Home

There are things you can do as a parent to support your child’s speech and language development at home! Here are some suggestions:

1. Talk and Read to Your Child: Engage in conversations and read books together daily. Narrate your activities and describe the world around you.

2. Play Interactive Games: Games that involve taking turns and using fun, simple language (e.g., peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake, or Simon says) can be very beneficial. Most importantly, follow your child’s lead! Engage in the things they love and enjoy.

3. Encourage Social Interaction: Provide opportunities for your child to be around peers. Playgrounds, playdates, local groups are a great way to get your child around other kids! Kids can learn so much from watching and playing with their peers.

4. Use Positive Reinforcement: Praise and encourage your child’s efforts to communicate. Positive reinforcement can motivate them to keep trying! Acknowledging what they said, gestures, gazed toward, etc. can show them that your listening, watching, and trying to understand them.

Don’t Wait; Evaluate.

Recognizing the early signs of speech and language delays can make a significant difference in your child’s development. By being observant and proactive, you can get supportive services (such as speech therapy) for your child early on! Remember, every child develops at their own pace and milestones are not everything… but if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance. Early intervention can help your child learn new skills and improve their developmental trajectory… so don’t wait; evaluate!