Speech and language development is a crucial aspect of a child's overall growth and wellbeing. While all children develop at their own pace there are certain milestones and expectations for speech and language skills at different ages. When a child struggles with these skills it can impact their ability to communicate effectively, their social interactions and even their academic performance. Recognising the signs that your child might need to see a speech therapist is essential for early intervention and support.
Let’s take a look at 11 signs your child might need to see a speech therapist…
1 - Delayed Speech Development
One of the most common reasons parents seek speech therapy for their children is delayed speech development. While there's a wide window of when children start talking significant delays can be a cause for concern, some age-related guidelines to gauge progress with are:
12 months - children should be making a variety of sounds and a couple of words
18 months - a child should have a vocabulary of between 5 and 20 words
24 months - a child can typically have a vocabulary of 50 words or more and are starting to combine two words
3 years - most children can speak in short phrases and sentences and be understood by familiar adults
4 years - a child should be speaking in more complex sentences and be mostly understandable to strangers
If your child is significantly behind these milestones it may be time to consult a speech therapist.
2 - Difficulty Pronouncing Certain Sounds
Young children very often mispronounce some sounds but persistent difficulties with specific sounds can indicate a need for speech therapy. Some common issues include; lisping, differentiating between 's' and 'z' sounds, trouble with 'r' and 'th' sounds. By three years old children should be producing most consonant sounds correctly so if difficulties persist beyond age 4 / 5 or if they significantly impact the child's ability to be understood it's worth consulting a speech therapist.
3 - Stuttering or Frequent Repetition of Sounds/Words
Many children go through a phase of normal disfluency as they develop their language skills. However, persistent stuttering or frequent repetition of sounds or words can be a sign that speech therapy might be beneficial. Look out for:
- Repeating whole words or parts of words frequently
- Prolonging sounds within words
- Avoidance of speaking in certain situations
If stuttering persists for more than six months or is accompanied by physical tension or frustration then seek professional help.
4 - Trouble Understanding or Following Directions
Speech therapy isn't just about talking it also addresses language comprehension. If your child consistently has difficulty understanding or following directions (especially compared to their peers) this could indicate a receptive language disorder. When a child consistently ignores verbal instructions or appears to be misunderstanding questions or responding inappropriately, it is time to take action. Engaging in fun activities like using a Baby Shoulder Float during swim time can also aid in their sensory and cognitive development.
5 - Limited Vocabulary Compared to Peers
While vocabulary development varies a significantly limited vocabulary compared to a child’s peers can be a red flag. By age 2 most children have a vocabulary of at least 50 words rising to several hundred words by three. If your child's vocabulary seems notably smaller than that of their peers, or if they struggle to learn and use new words a speech therapist can help identify any underlying issues and provide strategies for vocabulary expansion.
6 - Difficulty Being Understood by Others
By age 3, children should be understood by familiar adults most of the time. By age 4, even strangers should be able to understand much of what a child says. If your child is consistently difficult to understand, even for family members, this could indicate a need for speech therapy. This difficulty might stem from issues with articulation, voice quality, or overall clarity of speech.
7 - Frustration When Trying to Communicate
Pay attention to your child's emotional reactions when communicating. If they frequently become frustrated or withdrawn when trying to express themselves this could be a sign that they're struggling with speech or language skills. This frustration might manifest itself as tantrums, reluctance to speak or preferring to use gestures rather than words. A professional in speech and language can help identify the underlying causes of frustration then provide strategies to improve communication skills.
8 - Trouble with Social Communication Skills
Speech therapy also addresses pragmatic language skills – the social aspects of communication. Children who struggle with these skills might:
- Have difficulty maintaining conversations
- Struggle to understand or use nonverbal cues like facial expressions or body language
- Have trouble adjusting their communication style to different situations or listeners
- Find it challenging to make or maintain friendships
These issues can be particularly noticeable in children with autism spectrum disorders. But they can occur in any child and may benefit from speech therapy intervention.
9 - Feeding or Swallowing Difficulties
While not directly related to speech, feeding and swallowing issues fall under the purview of speech-language pathologists. Signs that might indicate a need for intervention include:
- Difficulty transitioning to solid foods
- Frequent choking or gagging while eating
- Refusal to eat certain textures
Drooling beyond the typical age
These issues can be related to oral motor skills, which also play a role in speech production.
10 - Regression in Speech or Language Skills
If a child who was previously developing typically suddenly loses speech or language skills this warrants immediate attention. This regression could be a sign of a neurological issue or other medical condition and should be evaluated promptly.
11 - Family History of Speech or Language Disorders
While not certain a family history of speech or language disorders may increase a child's risk. If you have a family history of stuttering or other communication disorders problems you might want to be more vigilant about your child's speech and language development.
