Child Not Talking Yet? When to Worry About a Speech Delay
One of the joys of parenthood is watching your child reach milestones as they grow to become their own person: first laugh, first roll over, first steps. But one milestone parents really look forward to is a child’s first words. What will they be? What will their little voice sound like? Even though excitement swirls around the thought of a child beginning to talk, it can also be a source of stress for parents who are concerned about their child having a speech or language delay.
“A late talker is usually under the age of three and developing normally in every other area but just slow to start using words,” says Jori Harris, MS, CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist at University of Utah ǿմý. “A child with a more serious delay may be struggling to understand simple directions or recognize familiar words, doesn’t use gestures to show interest in things, or may be a bit behind in motor or social skills.”
Tracking Normal Development
It’s important to note that there is a difference between speech delays and language delays, as these terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
- Speech delays are when a child struggles with saying sounds or words clearly.
- Language delays are when a child has difficulty understanding others or using words to express thoughts, needs, and ideas.
According to the , there are several speech and language milestones to watch for based on your child’s age that indicate normal development:
When to Be Concerned
If your child doesn’t hit a few of the above milestones in the suggested age range, it’s not a reason to immediately panic. All children are different, and language development can vary from child to child. However, some red flags that indicate a possible delay that should be addressed include:
- No babbling as an infant
- Doesn’t use gestures such as waving or pointing by 12 months
- Doesn’t respond to their name by 12-15 months
- No single words by 16-18 months
- Doesn’t seem interested in books or songs
- Communicates primarily by crying or yelling around 24 months
- Doesn’t respond when asked questions or given directions by 24 months
- No two-word phrases between 24-30 months
- Shows regression in language or social skills
Working on Language Development at Home
While it’s not always possible to prevent a speech delay, parents can encourage language and speech development at home by:
- Talking and singing to your child from birth
- Encouraging them to mimic your sounds
- Reading books out loud
- Narrating your day by naming activities (“I’m pouring water into the cup”) or naming objects (“this is an apple”)
These activities can help your child develop their language and speech skills at appropriate ages. However, there are risk factors that can make a child more likely to have a delay, such as:
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Family history of speech or language issues
- Frequent ear infections
- Minimal social interactions
- Conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or other developmental differences
If you’re concerned that your child has a delay, contact a speech-language pathologist. They will conduct tests and assessments to determine if your child has a delay or if there is potential for an underlying issue like hearing impairment.
“At the end of the day, the parent is the expert on their child, and if their gut is telling them that there might be something off, a speech-language pathologist can help them feel supported,” Harris says.
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