At What Age Should I Consider Speech Delay Therapy for My Child?

As parents, one of the most exciting experiences you will have is hearing your child saying its first words. The joy of hearing your little one talking for the first time is incomparable. However, if this milestone doesn't happen at your expected time, it becomes a reason for worry. If you find your child unable to speak at a certain age, or struggling to learn speech, you may wonder when you should consider speech delay therapy for your child.

Here, in this post, we will have a detailed analysis of the standard speech development basics for your child and when you should visit a speech therapy clinic in Kolkata or any other city. Read on for further insights.

Standard Speech Development Milestones for Your Child

Before proceeding to discuss speech therapy options, it is essential that you understand the usual speech development process. Let us have a look at the number of words your child should be saying at different ages.  

By 6 Months: Your baby should be cooing and saying sounds such as “ah” or “oh” 

By 12 Months: They should say the first words such as “mama” or “dada” frequently. 

By 18 Months: Your baby should have a vocabulary of a minimum of 10-20 words. 

By 2 Years: By this age, toddlers usually speak around 50 words and become capable of combining two or three words into simple sentences. 

By 3 Years:  By this age, children should be able to use simple sentences, and the family members should be able to understand their speech. 

By 4 Years: By the age of 4 years, your child should be able to speak full sentences, using clear speech. 

If your child is not showing these signs at these particular above mentioned age groups, it is a sign of speech delay. 

Warning Signs Your Child Has Speech Delay

Look for these signs to know if your child needs speech delay therapy. 

Your Child is Not Communicating: If your child is not babbling, using gestures, or making attempts to communicate by the age of 12 months, it could be a sign he/she has speech delay. 

Your Child Has Limited Vocabulary at 2 Years: If your child knows less than 50 words by the age of 2, it is another sign he/she has speech delay. 

Your Baby Has Difficulty in Being Understood

By the age 3, if the members of your family cannot understand your child’s speech, this suggests he/she needs speech delay therapy. 

When Should You Opt for Speech Delay Therapy for Your Child?

If you observe any of the above mentioned signs in your little one, the sooner you seek professional help, the better. Here is when you should consider speech therapy for your baby. 

Between 18-24 Months:  If your child is unable to say words, or use them in basic ways by the age of 18 months, you should consider speech delay therapy for him/her. 

Around 3 Years: If your child’s speech is unclear to others by the age of 3, or they are using limited vocabulary or language skills, you should consider opting for language therapy. 

By 4 Years: If your child is not able to speak full sentences by the age of 4 years, you should consider visiting a speech therapy clinic in Kolkata or any other city. 

Conclusion

Every child develops their language skills at their own pace, however, if you observe any signs of delay in your child, it is essential that you seek professional support and consider speech delay therapy for you little one. With expert support, your child will be able to overcome challenges in practicing speech and will acquire fluency and confidence.