RED FLAGS FOR SPEECH & LANGUAGE DELAYS

Speech Therapists are the specialists in identifying and advising if your child has a speech and/or language delay. Know the red flags - and seek advice if you need to. Given the vital importance of communication to a child’s social mobility and life outcomes, EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION OF SPEECH & LANGUAGE DIFFICULTIES IS ESSENTIAL. 

12 MONTHS AND YOUNGER talk to a Speech Therapist if your child...

  • does not use 2-6 words consistently
  • has minimal engagement with others, including eye contact, smiling, pointing, etc.
  • is not using babble or vocalizations that contain several different consonants and vowels
  • does not gain the attention of others
  • does not recognize or respond to the name of common objects
  • is not responding when his/her name is spoken

BY AGE 18 MONTHS talk to a Speech Therapist if your child...

  • does not use approximately 50 words consistently
  • is unable to point to common body parts
  • has difficulty following simple directions such as “go get it”, “come here”, etc.
  • is not using greetings/farewells (“bye bye”) 
  • is not having back-and-forth interaction with others, such as smiling, laughing, cooing, babbling, or playing

BY AGE 2 YEARS talk to a Speech Therapist if your child...

  • is not using  200-300 words consistently
  • is not understood in at least 50% of the time
  • is not using 2-word phrases (e.g., “Daddy gone”)
  • does not play with other children
  • is having difficulty following 2-step commands (e.g., “Give me the ball and give Daddy the car.”)
  • does not point to named objects or pictures

BY AGE 3 YEARS talk to a Speech Therapist if your child...

  • does not use 1000 words consistently
  • is not understood at least 75% of the time
  • does not understand simple colors and sizes (“big/little”)
  • does not respond to simple “who, what, where” questions
  • does not use 2-, 3-, and 4- word phrases/sentences
  • is not turn-taking or playing with others
  • is not saying the beginning or ending of words (“hou” for “house”)

BY AGE 4 YEARS talk to a Speech Therapist if your child...

  • Not at least 90% understandable when speaking (sound errors may are still expected but should affect intelligibility)
  • Does not use sentences consistently
  • Not yet asking questions
  • Not naming letters or numbers
  • Unable to tell a short story
  • Does not follow multi-step directions without the use of gestures or pointing

RED FLAGS FOR ALL AGES

  • Repetitive movements with objects, arms, hands, etc.
  • Does not respond to people or sounds
  • Stops saying or learning words
  • Echoes (repeats) words or phrases over and over
  • No imitation of sounds, words, or gesture

Published by - Anna Keno. Speech Language Therapist (BSLT, MNZSTA, ATCL, ASB) Giant Leaps Speech Company

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