Speech and language delay: when should you be concerned?
Should you be concerned if your child is not talking as much as his peers?
Every child is different in their own way. They grow, learn, and develop differently. But, children usually follow a certain pattern as they grow. There are signs or milestones to look for. These milestones show if your child is growing right. Speech therapy helps kids with speech and language delays stay on track.
At 6 to 8 months, babies start to babble. They say sounds like “bababa.” From 9 to 12 months, they try new sounds.
It’s like they’re copying adults with “badabigoo.” By 1 year, they use words. Words like “mama,” “papa,” “ball,” and “more.” They might not say them right.
Speech therapy helps kids with these speech and language delays.
By 18 months, kids follow simple instructions and use many single words, at least 20, to talk. By 2 years old, they start to combine 2 words into phrases, like “daddy car” and “mummy go.”
Speech therapy helps kids overcome speech and language delays, supporting them as they learn to communicate more clearly.
By 3 years old, kids form short sentences, like “daddy drive car” and “mummy go sleep.”
People close to them, like parents, understand 75% of what they say. By 4 years old, everyone, even strangers, should understand everything the child says.
Speech therapy helps kids overcome speech and language delays, making it easier for them to communicate clearly at each stage.
Is it true that children will outgrow delays and eventually catch up?
Research finds that 20 to 30% of kids who talk late don’t get better on their own. They keep having trouble with words and reading. Even if they seem okay by school age, they often struggle with school, friends, and paying attention.
Don’t just “wait and see” if you’re worried about your child’s talking. It’s smart to see a speech therapist early. They can help figure out the best steps to take. The sooner you start, the better chance your child has to do well with language, reading, and more.
Reach out to us at Amazing Speech Therapy to talk about your child’s speech and language. Speech therapy helps kids overcome speech and language delays, giving them a stronger start.
Learn More About Speech And Language Delays For Kids
Some kids with speech and language delays do catch up. But not all of them do it on their own. For many, the delays can continue into school age. Speech therapy helps these kids get better. It gives them the tools they need to improve. With the right help, many kids overcome their speech and language delays.
Sometimes, a speech delay can resolve on its own. Kids might catch up as they grow. But not all kids do this without help. Some need extra support to get better. Speech therapy helps kids with these delays. It can make a big difference in overcoming speech and language challenges.
Speech delay is common for a few reasons. First, every child grows at their own pace. Some kids just take longer to start talking. Also, hearing problems can cause delays. Lack of talking with adults can slow speech development. Speech therapy helps kids overcome these speech and language delays, guiding them towards better communication.
How long a speech delay lasts can vary. For some kids, it might be short and they catch up quickly. Others might take longer to overcome the delay. It depends on the child and the cause of the delay. Getting help early can make a big difference. Speech therapy helps kids overcome speech and language delays, often speeding up their progress.
Yes, too much screen time can lead to speech delay. It takes time away from talking and playing with others. This talking and playing help kids learn words and how to use them. Without it, kids might not learn to speak as early or well. Cutting down on screens and talking more can help. Speech therapy also helps kids overcome speech and language delays caused by too much screen time.
Speech delay can be a sign of a disorder, but not always. It means a child is not hitting speaking milestones on time. Sometimes, it’s just a part of growing up a bit slower. Other times, it can point to something like a hearing problem. Finding the cause is important. Speech therapy helps kids overcome speech and language delays, whether it’s a disorder or just a delay.
LAJREENA SAWLANI
Lajreena Sawlani is a Senior Speech Therapist. She's registered with MASH and accredited by Speech Pathology Australia. She graduated from The University of Queensland, Australia. Lajreena worked in Australia for over three years before moving to Malaysia in 2021. She helps children and adults with communication and swallowing issues. Lajreena uses fun, evidence-based methods and works closely with families.