Why it’s important to evaluate your child’s speech delay

Every child develops at their own pace! Like any other skills or milestones, kids can learn language and start talking at different stages. 

Language delays are the most common types of developmental delays! 1 out of 5 kids learns how to talk or use words later than other children their age. A lot of the time, frustration with being unable how to express what the need or want can manifest themselves as behavioral problems. 

Some of the behaviors can include:

• Not noticing when your are in the room.

• Not noticing certain noises, like when you call their name.

• Being in their own world.

• Preferring to play alone or seemingly turning other out.

• Not returning a happy smile back to you or not cuddling like other babies.

• Not being able to communicate what they want, while being able to say numbers or the ABCs just fine.

• Being interested in particular things kids their age usually aren’t really interested in.

The most common causes of speech delay include:

• Hearing loss

• Intellectual disability

• Types of developmental delays

Other causes include:

• Psychosocial deprivation

• Being a twin (these kids understand each other so well, and even “twin-talk” in their own language, so they feel the need to talk as quickly!)

• Autism

• Selective mutism (when the child just doesn’t want to talk) or

• Cerebral palsy.

Growing up in a bilingual home does not cause a speech delay! That is a common misconception. Remember, as your child is learning 2 languages, it can be harder to interpret and use 2 languages at first. So these kids may take a little longer to start using both languages and may start with one language over the other.

Some things to watch out for if you think your child’s speech may be delayed include:

• Having trouble imitating sounds.

• Having trouble understanding simple verbal requests.

• Only being able to imitate speech or action, but not producing words or phrases by themselves.

• Only being able to say some sounds or words repeatedly.

• Having an unusual tone of voice - raspy or nasal sounding.

• Not using any words by 18 months. As they approach age 2, they should be progressing towards 2-word sentences. As early intervention is key, please talk to you doctor. Evaluation and work with a speech and language pathologist can make a great difference in their development.

Parents should be able to understand about 50% of their child’s speech by age 2 and about 75% by age 3. By 4 years old, most people should be able to understand your child.

Sometimes speech delays are temporary and can resolve with some TLC from family. Encouraging your child to talk to you, playing with them, reading and talking lots can all help your little one! But in some cases, a speech and language pathologist should asses them and can help their development further!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to talk to your child’s pediatrician!

Your PediPals