Understanding Speech and Language Delays: When to Seek Help

Jessica Braunberger, MS, CCC-SLP

As a parent, watching your child grow and develop is one of life’s greatest joys. From their first smile to their first steps, each milestone is a celebration. However, when it comes to speech and language development, it’s not uncommon to feel a mix of excitement and concern. If you suspect your child may have a speech and language delay, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about what speech and language delays are, when to seek help, and how to support your child’s communication journey.

What Are Speech and Language Delays?

First, let’s talk about the difference between speech and language. Speech is the way your child says their sounds and words. Language is the words your child uses to express their wants, needs, and ideas, as well as their ability to understand language used by others. Speech and language delays occur when a child does not reach expected speech and language milestones for their age. This can manifest as limited vocabulary, difficulty forming phrases and sentences, or challenges producing speech sounds correctly. Every child develops at their own pace, but there are key indicators that can help you determine if your child might need additional support.

When to Seek Help

Here are a few signs that might indicate it’s time to seek professional help for your child’s speech and language development:

1. Limited vocalizations and babbling

One of your child’s first means of communication is through sounds and babbling. Around 4 months of age, a child should start to use vocalizations, such as “oo,” “mmm,” and “ahh.” By 7 months of age, these will start to turn into babbling where your child is combining sounds like “mamma” and “bababa.” If you are not hearing your child vocalizing sounds or combining sounds to babble it may be a communication delay.

2. Lack of imitation and use of gestures

Gestures like pointing, waving, and clapping are important precursors to speech. Between 10-12 months a child should start to imitate and use simple gestures to communicate. If your child isn’t imitating and using gestures by 12 months, it could be a sign of a communication delay.

3. Limited Vocabulary by Age Two

By age two, most children can say at least 50 words and are starting to combine them into simple phrases  like “more juice” or “big truck.” At this age, your child’s vocabulary should also be steadily increasing. If your child has a limited vocabulary or is not yet combining words, it might be worth consulting with a speech therapist.

4. Difficulty Being Understood

While it’s normal for toddlers to have unclear speech, especially by people outside the family, by age three, most of what they say should be understandable by caregivers. By age 4 a child should be understood 100% of the time. If your child’s speech is still difficult to understand, it might indicate a delay.

Supporting Your Child’s Communication

If you notice any of these signs, seeking help sooner rather than later can make a big difference. Here’s what you can do to support your child:

1. Talk, Talk, Talk

Narrate your day, describe what you’re doing, make sounds, and name objects around the house. The more words and sounds your child hears, the more opportunities they have to learn and mimic sounds and new words. This is often referred to as “modeling.”

2. Read Together

Reading books is a fantastic way to expose your child to new vocabulary. Choose books with colorful pictures and simple, repetitive text. At a young age, your child’s attention may be limited, so simply point and label pictures or talk about what you see instead of reading the book word for word.

3. Sing Songs and Rhymes

 Songs and rhymes are fun ways to develop language skills. The rhythm and repetition help children remember words and phrases. Sing nursery rhymes, make up your own songs, or play musical games.

4. Use Gestures and Sign Language

Pairing words with gestures or simple signs can help your child understand and use language. For example, use the sign for “more” during mealtime or the sign for “all done” when finishing an activity.

5. Create a Communication-Rich Environment

 Fill your home with opportunities for your child to communicate. Label items around the house, use picture boards and give them choices (e.g., “Do you want the apple or the banana?”).

Understanding and addressing speech delays early on can set the stage for your child’s future success. By staying informed and proactive, you can provide the best support for your child’s communication journey. If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language development, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Prairie Grit Therapy. We’re here to help every step of the way.

For a detailed look at speech and language milestones, be sure to check out the Prairie Grit Therapy Development Milestone Guide. This resource will provide you with an idea of what to expect at each stage of your child’s development and when to consider seeking professional support for Speech, Occupational, or Physical Therapy.

Miss Jess strives to provide family-centered therapy and education to maximize a child’s success outside of therapy. Her professional interests include early language, articulation and phonological disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication.