Speech delays in children: What to look for and when

Every child develops at their own pace, but many parents wonder if their child’s speech development is on track.

“As a Springfield speech-language pathologist (SLP), I meet many parents who say they wish they had brought their child in for an evaluation sooner,” said Myra Tosh, CCC-SLP at SIU Medicine. “Not because it’s ever ‘too late’ for speech therapy, but because the gains their children make in therapy are so meaningful and have such a noticeable positive impact on their lives, self-esteem and relationships.”

Have you been wondering whether it’s time to ask your pediatrician or health care provider about a referral for speech therapy? 

1. Does your chiId have hearing loss?

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) estimates that 15% of all school-age children have some type of hearing loss. Hearing loss, which can be present at birth or developed later due to illness or injury, can dramatically affect a child's ability to learn language and express their needs.

Signs and symptoms of hearing loss are different for each infant and child, but delayed speech-language development is a common indicator.

2. Is your child over 12 months, but not yet talking?

• By 3-6 months: Beginning to babble.
• By 9-12 months: Saying their first words (in addition to "mama"/"dada'').  
• By 15 months: Using 10-15 words.
• By 24 months: Using more than 50 words, and putting two- and some three-word phrases together.

If your child is older than 12 months old and has yet to say their first word, it could be time to schedule a speech-language evaluation.

3. Is your child's speech hard to understand?

Speech-language pathologists/therapists can help children who struggle to make sounds and pronounce words due to hearing loss, oral and facial abnormalities or developmental disorders. If your child is more than 24 months and their speech is not understood more than 50% of the time, it could be time to schedule a speech-language evaluation.

4. Does your child have trouble answering questions or following directions?

Many children who have trouble answering questions or following directions have underlying differences in the development of their hearing, speech-language skills, cognitive abilities and/or how they process sensory information. This can result in undesirable behavior when they are placed under perceived stress.

5. Does your child struggle with transitions and peer interaction?

When deciding whether your child could benefit from a speech-language evaluation, it’s also helpful to observe how they interact with siblings, peers and other adults. Many conditions affecting speech and language development can make interpersonal interactions, and even changes in familiar routines, challenging for a young child. 

Wondering if your child needs a speech-language evaluation?

Remember: it’s never too late for a child to undergo a speech-language evaluation. But we do know the first three to six years of a child’s life are critical for acquiring speech and language skills. If you have any concerns that your child isn’t hitting their speech and language milestones, talk to their doctor. The sooner concerns are addressed, the sooner you can ensure your child gets the support they need.

To learn more about speech-language pathology at SIU Medicine or to schedule an appointment, call 217-545-8000.