Does My Child Have A Speech Or Language Problem?

Does your child need a translator to be understood? Do they struggle in social interactions with other kids? Do you wonder if this is just a phase or an indication or a more serious problem? If so, you're not alone. Many parents aren't sure if their child's language abilities are developing normally, and everyone they ask seems to have a different opinion: "Oh, don't worry, she will grow out of it," or "He should see a speech therapist right away about that." So should you be concerned with your child's progress? I've rounded up some tips to point you in the right direction.

Understanding the typical milestones of speech and language development is a good place to start. The University of Michigan has a detailed list of major milestones. For example:

3-4 months: Random babbling

1 year: Says a couple of words, understands simple instructions

2 years: Uses short phrases

3 years: Uses short sentences and has a vocabulary of about 1000 words

4-5 years: Carries on simple conversations, asks and answers questions, and is understood by strangers. 

Kids that don't meet these milestones might suffer from hearing loss. A quick diagnosis is crucial for creating strategies to help a child develop vocabulary during their first two years. Vocabulary is the foundation upon which future language acquisition is built. Early identification of hearing problems vastly increases the chances of future success.

If you suspect that your child has a speech problem, it is a good idea to get them screened by a certified speech-language pathologist. The therapist will be able to give you a second opinion and recommend the best course of action. They can also give you tips for helping your child at home as well as homework activities. Young children begin to understand language before they start using it, so speech therapy can be effective even at a very young age. Getting your child screened by a certified professional can help you have the peace of mind that you've done everything they can to help.

Check out these other resources for more information and parenting tips for speech and language development:

"Late Blooming or Language Problem" - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

"Speech and Language Delay and Disorder" - University of Michigan

"Does My Child Have a Speech & Language Disorder?" - Pamela Thomas Joseph, SLP

"Does Your Child Need Speech Therapy?"