Are you worried about your child’s speech and development?
Delays or difficulties with speech and language can affect your child’s wider communication, social skills and academic performance.
So, if you’re worried that they may need to undergo a speech assessment, it’s important to be aware of the relevant developmental milestones and developmental delays and behavioral indicators.
Below we’ll share some of the biggest signs that your child may be struggling and that they could benefit from a speech assessment.
1. Delayed babbling and vocalizing
Babbling is a precursor to speech, so if you notice that your baby stays very quiet, this could be a very early sign of a speech delay.
Babies start making noises early on, but between six and nine months, they should be babbling and making sounds like ‘bababa’.
When they reach one, they should use simple, easy-to-pronounce words like mama. So, if your young baby isn’t very vocal, you may need to seek professional help.
2. Limited vocabulary
There are certain milestones your children should hit in terms of learning and using basic vocabulary to express themselves. For example:
By 18 months, your child should have at least 10 words in their vocabulary and by two years, they should be combining these words into simple phrases. For example, ‘want drink’ or ‘sit down’.
If your child has a very limited vocabulary for their age, it could indicate that they have a speech or language delay and this is something you should address as soon as possible. The younger they are when you tackle these problems, the less they will struggle in the future when they start school.
3. Difficulty being understood
While it’s normal for young children to be harder to understand and have some unclear speech while they’re developing, this should eventually disappear.
As your child’s speech and clarity increase, there are some key milestones to be aware of.
By two years old, strangers should understand about 50% of what they are saying. By three, this should increase to 75% and by four, strangers should understand pretty much everything your child says.
Keeping that in mind, if your child is consistently difficult to understand even after these milestones it may be time for a speech assessment.
4. Persistent stuttering
It’s normal for children to repeat sounds and words when they are learning to speak. However, if this presents itself as stuttering and this persists beyond the age of five, a speech and language therapist may be able to help.
Similarly, if their stutter becomes more frequent or severe over time, you need to address this right away.
5. Not making the right sounds
Just like words, the sounds that children make will develop at specific ages, for example, it can take them up to five years to be able to pronounce the ‘TH’ sound correctly.
So, if your child reaches the age of four to five and they are frequently substituting one sound for another, like saying ‘wabbit instead of ‘rabbit’ this may suggest they have an articulation or phonological disorder.
6. Not following instructions
Children can be mischievous, and as we know, they don’t always listen. However, you need to recognise the difference between when they are being disobedient and when there could be a bigger problem.
Most children will generally develop the ability to follow simple directions early on. By the age of one, they can follow simple instructions like ‘sit down’, and by two, they should typically be able to follow two-step directions, such as ‘pick up the toy and put it away’.
If your child struggles to understand and follow basic instructions, this could point to larger communication issues.
7. Unusual pitch or tone of voice
As they find their voice, your child will typically speak in a natural, fluid tone. So if you’ve noticed that your child has an unusual pitch, either too high or too low, or they speak in a monotone voice, this could be a problem.
This could indicate that they have an issue with the rhythm and pattern of sounds in speech and this can affect their ability to communicate effectively.
8. Issues with their voice
Similarly, if your child’s voice sounds hoarse or nasal rather than unusually high or low-pitched, it could also indicate an issue. This is most likely a problem with their vocal cords or the way that air flows through their nose and throat.
If the issue persists for more than a few weeks, this could be a sign of a bigger problem and one that could impact their ability to communicate. Therefore, you should get this assessed by a professional.
9. Trouble with social interaction
Your child’s speech and language development play a significant role in their ability to socialise. If you notice that they have trouble interacting with their peers, teachers or family, this might be linked to broader developmental concerns.
Some of the key signs that they may be struggling with communication and social interactions include:
- Not making eye contact when speaking
- Struggling to start and hold conversations
- Finding it hard to use the right gestures when communicating, such as waving or pointing
If you notice that your child is more than just a little shy and truly has trouble interacting with others, it might be time to get an assessment.
10. Frustration when communicating
Does your child become frustrated or give up easily when they are trying to communicate? If so, it might indicate that they are struggling with or aware of a speech difficulty.
In some cases, they may even avoid speaking altogether or act out due to the frustration they feel as they struggle to voice their needs or feelings.
11. Regressive speech patterns
Finally, if your child started developing their speech normally but has suddenly begun to lose acquired speech or language skills, this is a big red flag.
Regressive speech patterns can be a sign of neurological conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental concerns. As a result, these should be evaluated immediately by a speech and language therapist.
In conclusion
Speech delays and language difficulties can have a lasting impact on your child’s future. It can impact their social, emotional and academic life if not addressed.
Early intervention can make a significant difference to your child, their development and their communication skills. If you notice any of the signs we’ve outlined above, it may be beneficial to get an assessment from a speech and language therapist.
