Early Signs of Speech and Language Delays: When to Be Concerned 🗣️🔍

It’s incredible to watch your child learn to communicate—from babbling those first sounds to saying “mama” or “dada,” and eventually chatting away about their day. But what happens when those milestones don’t come as expected?

As a parent, it’s natural to have questions or concerns about your child’s speech and language development. While every child develops at their own pace, there are early signs that may indicate a delay—and spotting them early can make a big difference.

Speech vs. Language: What’s the Difference? 🧠💬

Before diving into the signs, let’s quickly break it down:

• Speech is how your child produces sounds—it's about clarity, pronunciation, and articulation.

• Language is the ability to understand and use words to communicate—this includes vocabulary, sentence formation, and comprehension.

Children can have difficulties in one or both of these areas.

Red Flags by Age 🚩

Here are some signs that may indicate your child is experiencing a speech or language delay:

By 12 months

-Not babbling (e.g., “ba-ba,” “da-da”)

-Doesn’t respond to their name

-Doesn’t use gestures like waving or pointing

-Doesn’t show interest in communicating with others

By 18 months

-Says fewer than 10 words

-Doesn’t try to imitate sounds or words

-Doesn’t point to objects or body parts when asked

-Limited interest in social interaction

By 2 years

-Isn’t combining two words together (e.g., “more juice,” “mama up”)

Uses fewer than 50 words

-Difficulty following simple directions like “come here” or “get the ball”

-Repeats the same sounds or words but doesn’t seem to progress

By 3 years

-Speech is difficult for unfamiliar people to understand.

-Cannot form simple three-word sentences

-Struggles to ask basic questions

-Limited interest in talking or playing with others

Other Signs to Watch For 👀

-Regression in language skills (losing words previously used)

-Lack of response to sounds (may indicate hearing issues)

-Frustration due to communication struggles

-Trouble interacting with peers or engaging in pretend play

When to Seek Support 🙋‍♀️

If your child is showing one or more of these signs, it’s a good idea to talk to a speech-language pathologist. The earlier we can identify and support a child’s needs, the better the outcomes.

At Hear & Say, we offer thorough assessments and fun, play-based therapy sessions designed to help your child reach their communication goals. 🌟

Encouraging Communication at Home 🏡💬

Here are some simple things you can do every day:

📚 Read together – Point out and name objects in the pictures

🧸 Play together – Narrate what your child is doing (“You’re building a tower!”)

🎶 Sing songs – Rhymes and repetition are great for language

👂 Listen and pause – Give your child time to respond during conversations

Final Thoughts 💭

You are your child’s biggest advocate—and noticing the signs of a speech or language delay is the first step in helping them thrive. Every child is unique, but if you have concerns, don’t wait. Getting support early can make a world of difference.

Ready to book an assessment or just have questions? Reach out to us—we're here to help every step of the way!