DELAY SPEECH IN CHILDREN

• Posted On : 22 August 2022

WHEN TO BE CONCERNED

1. By 12months if the child is not using gestures, such as pointing or waving bye.
2. Children who live in a bilingual home may take little longer to become fluent in either language. (But in the long run may have significantly better verbal skill than their peers)

• Toddler in a family with older siblings sometimes speak later because brothers and sisters “Talk for them “
• Researchers also shows that girls speak earlier than boys.
• Sometime though, speaking late or speech that is unclear can signal a developmental delay.

SPEECH MILESTONE

Around the first birthday. baby babbles start to change as little one try harder to imitate the sound around them. the noises they make start to take the shape of actual words in subsequent months, they begin to string words together into toddler sentence.

1. While paying attention to the words or sounds your child is making is important, also consider whether or not your toddler can follow simple directions that involve one step (for example – “pick of the block”)
2. It is important to notice how well your child is able to comprehend what you say- do they response to you when you ask questions? Can they follow simple two - step commands by age two?
3. The total number of words your child learns during this time is less important than a consistent increase in the number of words they start to use week by week

MILESTONE YOU CAN EXPECT CHILD AT THE AGE OF TWO

• Adding words to the vocabulary.
• Forming two- words- phrases- although they won’t be grammatically correct (“no go” “book read”).
• Using words to identify pictures in book or surroundings.
• Naming body parts and animal and sometimes making animal sound (moo for cow).
• Difficulty in following directions.
• Using fewer words than other children of their age.
• Interactions or play that seem unusual.

THINGS TO KEEP AN EYE ON

• By 12 months- the child is not using gestures such as pointing or waving bye – bye .
• By 18 months-prefers gestures over vocalizations to communicate.
• By 18 months- has trouble imitating sounds.
• Has trouble understanding simple verbal request
• By 2 years- can only imitate speech or actions and doesn’t produce words or phrases spontaneously.
• By 2 years – says only some sounds or words repeatedly and can’t use oral language to communicate more than their immediate needs.
• By 2 years – can’t follow simple direction
• By- 2 years – has an unusual tone of voice

Dr. Sanmayee Sahoo

Speech Therapist