What Parents Should Know About Speech Delay

As parents, we often watch our children with wonder as they explore their new world and reach developmental milestones almost like magic. At Topeka ENT, we are here to answer any questions you may have if you're wondering whether your child is delayed in reaching their next milestone in speech or language. Our Speech-Language Pathology team is committed to helping children achieve their next milestone and supporting parents as they guide their children along the way. 

How Do Speech and Language Differ?

There are two distinct aspects of communication that children develop as they grow. 

• Speech refers to the physical act of producing sounds to form words, encompassing articulation, voice and fluency. 

• Language is a broader system of communication that includes the use of words, symbols, and rules to convey meaning, whether spoken, written or signed. 

What is Considered a Speech or Language Delay?

A speech or language delay is typically identified when a child's communication skills are significantly below what is expected for their age group. Most children acquire skills within a specific age range, like from 12 to 18 months. A child who takes longer to develop a skill might have an issue.

Although both speech and language delays involve communication issues, they are different. Speech delays focus on how sounds are produced, while language delays affect the overall system of communication, including understanding and expressing ideas.

Five Signs of Speech Delay

Since all babies develop at their own pace, it can be challenging for parents to tell if their child is taking longer than usual to reach the next speech or language milestone. Here are some milestones for the first few years to help you see if your child is progressing or if there might be a concern. 

1) Lack of Babbling: 

By 12 months, most babies will babble, making consonant-vowel sounds such as ba-ba or da-da.

2) Limited Vocabulary

Around 18 months, toddlers typically start using single words to communicate. If a child has very few or no recognizable words at this age, it may be a sign of a speech delay. 

3) Difficulty Combining Words

By 24 months, most toddlers will start combining two or more words to form simple phrases or sentences (e.g., "want juice," "more cookie"). A child who isn't combining words at this age may be experiencing a delay.

4) Trouble Understanding Simple Instructions

A child experiencing speech delay might struggle to follow simple, one-step instructions, even if gestures are used.

5) Limited Vocabulary

Beyond just the number of words, a lack of vocabulary diversity or difficulty understanding what others say can also indicate a speech delay.

If you notice any of these signs, we recommend consulting with your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist. Early intervention is crucial for addressing speech delays and helping children reach their full communication potential.

Here is a helpful resource to understand all of the communication developmental milestones provided by the American Speech and Language Hearing Association.

View Resource

When to See a Specialist:

Meeting with a Speech-Language Pathologist in Kansas

If you suspect your child might have a problem, it's important to see a speech-language pathologist (SLP) right away. At Topeka ENT, our Speech-Language Pathologist assesses a patient’s speech, language, cognitive, communication, and swallowing skills to diagnose a speech disorder.

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) will conduct a comprehensive speech evaluation to assess your child’s speech and language development. This includes standardized testing and a review of key developmental milestones. To learn more about what to expect during the evaluation, click here.

Based on the test results, the speech-language pathologist may recommend speech therapy for your child. We offer pediatric speech therapy in our office at Topeka ENT.

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Schedule a Speech Evaluation Today

If you have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, don’t wait to seek answers. Early support can make a lasting difference. Contact Topeka ENT to schedule a speech evaluation with our compassionate and experienced Speech-Language Pathology team. We’re here to support your child’s communication journey—every step of the way.