Every child develops at their own pace, especially when it comes to speech. Some kids are chatterboxes from the start, while others take a more silent route before surprising everyone with full sentences. But sometimes, silence isn’t just shyness—and a speech delay isn’t something to “wait and watch.”
If you’re wondering whether your child’s speech is on track, here are 10 early signs that may indicate it’s time to consult a speech therapist—plus what you can do as a parent, today.
1. Your Child Isn’t Saying Words By Age 1
Most babies start with “mama” or “dada” around 12 months. If your little one isn’t using any clear words by their first birthday, it’s worth paying attention.
What to do:
Talk, sing, and name everyday objects around them. If there’s still no progress, consider an early screening.
2. They Use Gestures Instead of Words
If your child mostly points or pulls your hand instead of trying to say what they want, it may mean they’re struggling to find or form words.
What to do:
Model simple phrases like “I want juice” and wait patiently to encourage imitation.
3. Speech Is Hard to Understand (Even for You)
By age 2, parents should understand about 50% of what their child says. If even you are struggling, it could point to articulation issues.
What to do:
Don’t “translate” too quickly—encourage them to try again. A speech pathologist can help refine unclear sounds.
4. Words Are Getting Lost Instead of Gained
A child suddenly stops using words they once knew? That’s a red flag. While some back-and-forth is normal, losing language is not.
What to do:
Note when the regression started and talk to your pediatrician immediately.
5. Your Child Doesn’t React to Their Name
If your child doesn’t respond when called—or seems to ignore verbal cues—it might be a hearing or comprehension issue.
What to do:
First, rule out hearing loss with an audiologist. Then consider speech therapy to support understanding.
6. Struggles to Combine Words (Past Age 2.5)
By 2.5 to 3 years, most children can string together 2–3 word phrases like “want toy” or “go park.” If your child still speaks in single words, it may be a delay.
What to do:
Narrate your day around them (“We are putting on shoes”) to expose them to natural sentence-building.
7. Gets Frustrated When Trying to Speak
Some kids know what they want to say but can’t express it. The result? Meltdowns, tears, or giving up on talking altogether.
What to do:
Acknowledge their feelings and offer choices to reduce frustration (e.g., “Do you want the ball or the car?”).
8. Struggles With Certain Sounds (Way Past Age Norms)
If your 5-year-old still says “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or skips sounds like /k/, /g/, or /s/, it may be more than just cute baby talk.
What to do:
Don’t force corrections, but do model clearly. Speech therapy can target and strengthen those specific sounds.
9. Can’t Follow Simple Instructions
By age 2, most children should understand basic directions like “get your shoes” or “sit on the chair.” Trouble with this may suggest a receptive language issue.
What to do:
Use short, clear phrases and make instructions a fun part of routines. Seek help if there’s no improvement.
10. They’re Very Quiet Compared to Peers
Every child is unique, but if your child rarely speaks, avoids social interaction, or stays silent in group settings, it might be time to dig deeper.
What to do:
Start with play-based interaction and peer modeling. A therapist can help gently build verbal confidence.
When to Act (Hint: Sooner Is Better)
You don’t need to wait for a diagnosis or a teacher’s concern to get help. Early speech therapy can dramatically improve your child’s communication and confidence.
Here’s what you can do today:
- 📌 Observe consistently: Keep a simple journal of what your child says or struggles with.
- 👩⚕️ Consult your pediatrician: They can refer you to a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP).
- 🗓️ Book an evaluation: A quick screening can clarify whether support is needed.
- 🧠 Get involved: Therapy works best when parents reinforce it at home.
Every Voice Deserves to Be Heard
Speech therapy isn’t just about pronunciation—it’s about connection, confidence, and giving your child the tools to express themselves fully. If your gut says something isn’t quite right, don’t wait.
Early help leads to lifelong impact. Let’s take the first step together.
