Speech & Language Checklist

How do I know if my child needs Speech and Language Therapy?

Parents may consider speech and language therapy if they notice early signs of delayed communication skills. The following chart highlights common developmental indicators by age:

Early Warning Signs by Age:

• 1 year - The child does not cry, babble, or respond to other voices

• 2 years - The child cannot combine words into simple phrases

• 3 years - Speech is difficult for people outside the family to understand

• 4 years - Limited vocabulary, does not speak in full sentences, has difficulty producing most sounds, or relies on pointing instead of talking

• 5 years - Cannot carry on a simple conversation, stutters, speech differs noticeably from peers, is reluctant to speak, or shows self-conscious or defensive behavior when speaking

Speech Sound Development Chart:

This chart shows the typical age ranges for producing specific speech sounds:

• 3 years m n p h w b t d ي 

• 4 years k g f v ng y l أ  ق 

• 5 years s z j sh ص ط 

• 6 years r t dj ch  خ  غ  

• 7 years v th  ظ  ,ث ، ذ  ، ع  

By age 3, most speech sounds should be intelligible to strangers, even if some sounds are still developing.

This checklist is for guidance only and does not replace a professional evaluation. If you notice delays or have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, consult a licensed speech-language pathologist.