Determining if your child might need speech therapy involves observing their communication skills and comparing them to developmental milestones. Here are some signs that might indicate your child could benefit from speech therapy:
We’ve outlined 7 indicators to help you decide if your child may need speech therapy.
Table of Contents
1. Delayed Speech and Language Development
- By 12 months: Not babbling or using gestures like pointing.
- By 18 months: Fewer than 10 words in their vocabulary.
- By 24 months: Not combining two words, having a vocabulary of fewer than 50 words.
- By 3 years: Speech is difficult for others to understand, and sentences are not forming properly.
2. Difficulty Understanding or Following Directions
- Your child struggles to understand simple instructions or questions.
- They have difficulty understanding age-appropriate stories or concepts.
3. Problems with Pronunciation
- Speech sounds are unclear or inconsistent.
- Your child substitutes, omits, or distorts sounds in words beyond the typical age range (e.g., saying “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” after age 4).
4. Stuttering
- Repeating sounds, syllables, or words.
- Pausing frequently while speaking or showing visible frustration when trying to talk.
5. Voice Concerns
- Your child’s voice sounds unusual for their age, such as being too high-pitched, hoarse, or nasal.
6. Social Communication Challenges
- Difficulty with making eye contact, taking turns in conversation, or understanding social cues.
- Problems initiating or maintaining conversations with peers.
7. Regression in Speech Skills
- Loss of previously acquired language or speech skills, which can sometimes be a sign of other underlying issues.
Next Steps
If you notice any of these signs, it may be helpful to consult with a pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for a formal evaluation. Early intervention is key to addressing speech and language issues effectively.
Transform Life is a NDIS registered organisation that provide support for you and your family.
Book your consult with an experienced Therapist at Transform Life to explore how Positive Behavioural Support, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy can support you and your family.
