When should my child start speech therapy? This is a common question for parents who are wondering if their child needs speech therapy services. The answer is... it is never too early! If you think your child is behind in his or her speech/language development, it is important to talk with your pediatrician or reach out to a speech-language pathologist as soon as possible. These certified professionals will be able to help you decide if a comprehensive speech/language evaluation is needed.
Research suggests 70-80% of toddlers with speech difficulties will outgrow a language delay if it is strictly an expressive delay (have difficulty expressing themselves in some way). That means 20-30% of children will not catch up to their peers. It is important to know that when children have difficulty with their language skills, they are at risk for persistent struggles with reading and writing when they reach elementary school age. The more help your child receives early on, the more likely he or she is to benefit from therapy and overcome any speech and language delays.
If your child shows these red flags, or you are concerned about other aspects of your child’s speech and language development, contact a speech-language pathologist.
1 year of age:
No reaction to sound
No babbling
Limited imitation skills
Limited use of gestures, such as pointing or waving bye-bye
2 years of age:
Minimal attempts to communicate with gestures or words
No first words
Difficulty following simple directions
Inconsistent response to “no”
3 years of age:
Limited use of speech
Speech is not understandable to parents
Limited understanding of simple questions
Difficulty naming objects or pictures
Produces at most 2-word phrases
Frustration related to communication
4 years of age:
Produces at most 3-word phrases
Speech is mostly not understandable to parents
Limited turn-taking in conversations
Takes a long time to understand what is being said
Difficulty asking questions
Difficulty finding words to express thoughts
5 years of age:
Speaks only in simple sentences
Speech not understandable to teachers
Difficulty answering questions
Difficulty with complex directions
Difficulty telling stories
Difficulty with peer interactions
School age:
Difficulty with reading, writing, or math
Difficulty following complex directions
Does not produce complex sentences
Produces sentences with grammar errors
Difficulty repeating sentences
Limited vocabulary compared to peers
Produces speech with sound errors
Difficulty with social interactions
It is important to remember that not every child is the same. Children reach milestones at different ages. If you have concerns about your child's speech and language development, contact your child's pediatrician or reach out to a speech-language pathologist.
Adaptation of: Visser-Bochane, M. I., Gerrits, E., Schans, C. P., Reijneveld, S. A., & Luinge, M. R. (2016). Atypical speech and language development: A consensus study on clinical signs in the Netherlands. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 52(1), 10-20. doi:10.1111/1460-6984.12251
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