What is Speech and Language Delay?

Speech and language skills are crucial. Firstly, speech skills are how we say sounds. Stringing sounds together to make words. On the other hand, language is learning words. Reading/ writing too. Also, understanding what is said. In other words, the delay is when a child is not communicating age-wise. Further, this delay can be due to speech, language skills, or both. So, speech-language delays can accompany other issues. Communication includes both speech and language skills.

There are many kids who develop late. This is a developmental delay. Often delays are not noticed. Until kids start school. Milestones need to be achieved on time. If you notice your child is delayed, consult now. The earlier the delay is detected, the faster it can be treated. Always know that there is no harm in consulting. Any delay in speech can affect your child. If you intervene at the right time, you can help your child. A delay can be easily bridged with the right therapy. Help your loved one today!

Speech and language milestones

Birth – 1 Year: Speech and Language Milestones

Speech & Language Milestones – There is a constant development in a child from the day he or she is born. Milestones between birth to 1 year are the crucial ones which form the foundation of a child’s communication skills.

The environment plays a key role too. Some children will develop certain speech and language skills quicker than others. However, despite a bit of difference between children, we expect most children to develop these milestones within a certain time-frame. The developmental milestones could be categorized into various segments. They are-

Speech Skills
Auditory Skills
Language Comprehension Skills
Language Expression Skills
Motor Skills
Social Skills

1-2 years: Speech and Language Milestones

During the second year, toddlers are moving around more, and are aware of themselves and their surroundings. Their desire to explore new objects and people also is increasing. During this stage, toddlers will show greater independence; begin to show defiant behavior; recognize themselves in pictures or a mirror; and imitate the behavior of others, especially adults and older children. Toddlers also should be able to recognize the names of familiar people and objects, form simple phrases and sentences, and follow simple instructions and directions.

Preschool Children’s Speech and Language Development: 2 to 6 years

Preschool Children’s Communication skills are vital to their overall development that lay a foundation for a successful future. Cognition, social interaction, oral-motor development are some of the key factors that influence a child’s communication development. Listening, understanding and using spoken language are the most important components of communication. Developmental milestones outlined below show some of the skills in these areas that mark children’s progress as they learn to communicate. It is also important to note that each child develops at his or her own pace. The following guidelines are intended to give information on general developmental patterns to parents and caregivers.

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Red Flags for Speech Delays in Babies

Red Flags, Infants are equipped for speech and language development even before birth, partly due to brain readiness, partly because of auditory experiences in the uterus. Children around the world have the same sequence of early language development- Study (University of Washington). This speech language development keeps growing in the exponential pattern, way after the child is born. Each and every activity and sound around the child provide them a new experience of learning.

Every growing MONTH, the child learns new things and their response towards the environment changes. Check out the Speech & Language Milestones ( Birth-1 year).

These changes in the child’s response are very important to track your child’s growth in the speech and language development. But if you see any of these below RED FLAGS at any of the months mentioned you should please visit your nearby Paediatrician, Audiologist and Speech Language Pathologist.

Check if your child has a speech delay: Get a screening test now

Red Flags for Birth – 1 Year: Speech and Language Milestones:

It is important that parents seek advice from a Speech and Language Therapist if:

A child does not respond to mothers speech by staring or smiling

A child does not achieve neck control until 6 months of age

Sucking and feeding is an issue

A child does not cry for indicating needs even after 8-9 months

Does not respond to name call

Does not recognize parents

No eye contact while speaking to child

What can you do to help?

Check your child’s ability to hear, and pay attention to ear problems and infections, especially when they keep occurring.

Reinforce your baby’s communication attempts by looking at him or her, speaking, and imitating his or her vocalizations.

Repeat his or her laughter and facial expressions.

Teach your baby to imitate actions, such as peekaboo, clapping, blowing kisses, pat-a-cake, itsy bitsy spider, and waving bye-bye. These games teach turn taking that is needed for conversation.

Talk while you are doing things, such as dressing, bathing, and feeding (e.g., “Mommy is washing Sam’s hair”; “Sam is eating carrots”; “Oh, these carrots are good!”).

Talk about where you are going, what you will do once you get there, and who and what you’ll see (e.g., “Sam is going to Grandma’s house. Grandma has a dog. Sam will pet the dog.”).

Teach animal sounds (e.g., “A cow says ‘moo’”).

Communicate with your child in the language you are most comfortable using.

Red flags for 1-2 years: Speech and Language Milestones:

Talk with your doctor or child health nurse if your child:

Is tripping over her feet a lot and this is not improving
Isn’t yet walking
Cannot hold a spoon with enough purpose to get food into his/her mouth
Can’t pick up small objects with a pincer grip
Can’t build a tower of 3 to 4 bricks
Is only using up to 20 single words consistently
Doesn’t understand simple directions (this does not mean she will always do as you tell her)
Often runs very far away (out of sight) or climbs extremely high without hesitation.

Download our App- Speech Doctorto detect if your child has a speech-language delay. Click on the image.

What you can do to help?

Your child will love to turn knobs and push buttons as this helps him to learn to use his muscles and also to feel that he can manage new things. Protect the TV and other appliances and give him his own toys with knobs and buttons to press.

Your child will be interested in playing with simple puzzles.

Your child will enjoy toys that link together, such as trains with carriages and stacking toys, hammer and peg sets, and filling and emptying containers.

He/She will love to look at pictures, particularly if you name familiar objects and animals and allow him to turn the pages sometimes.

Favorite conversations involve talking about what he is looking at, doing or feeling. Your child learns more words when you chat this way, rather than when you ask questions. Try to avoid questions that you already know the answer to. Instead of asking ‘what’s that?’ you might say ‘oh, it’s a yummy apple’.

Play games where he has lots of opportunities to say ‘no’, such as ‘Is daddy under the bed?’

Provide toys, such as plastic fruit, animals and cars, so he can learn about difference and sameness.

Young children love to copy others and to dress up, and play with toys that allow them to copy household activity, for example telephone, dolls and washing up.

Allow your child to play by himself at times without interference so that he learns to entertain himself. He will ask for help if he wants it.

To see more related videos to speech language delay:

Myths About Children Who Are Learning to Talk!

Red Flags for Birth – 1 Year: Speech and Language Milestones:

It is important that parents seek advice from a Speech and Language Therapist if:

A child does not respond to mothers speech by staring or smiling

A child does not achieve neck control until 6 months of age

Sucking and feeding is an issue

A child does not cry for indicating needs even after 8-9 months

Does not respond to name call

Does not recognize parents

No eye contact while speaking to child

What can you do to help?

Check your child’s ability to hear, and pay attention to ear problems and infections, especially when they keep occurring.

Reinforce your baby’s communication attempts by looking at him or her, speaking, and imitating his or her vocalizations.

Repeat his or her laughter and facial expressions.

Teach your baby to imitate actions, such as peekaboo, clapping, blowing kisses, pat-a-cake, itsy bitsy spider, and waving bye-bye. These games teach turn taking that is needed for conversation.

Talk while you are doing things, such as dressing, bathing, and feeding (e.g., “Mommy is washing Sam’s hair”; “Sam is eating carrots”; “Oh, these carrots are good!”).

Talk about where you are going, what you will do once you get there, and who and what you’ll see (e.g., “Sam is going to Grandma’s house. Grandma has a dog. Sam will pet the dog.”).

Teach animal sounds (e.g., “A cow says ‘moo’”).

Communicate with your child in the language you are most comfortable using.

Red flags for 1-2 years: Speech and Language Milestones:

Talk with your doctor or child health nurse if your child:

Is tripping over her feet a lot and this is not improving
Isn’t yet walking
Cannot hold a spoon with enough purpose to get food into his/her mouth
Can’t pick up small objects with a pincer grip
Can’t build a tower of 3 to 4 bricks
Is only using up to 20 single words consistently
Doesn’t understand simple directions (this does not mean she will always do as you tell her)
Often runs very far away (out of sight) or climbs extremely high without hesitation.

Download our App- Speech Doctorto detect if your child has a speech-language delay. Click on the image.

What you can do to help?

Your child will love to turn knobs and push buttons as this helps him to learn to use his muscles and also to feel that he can manage new things. Protect the TV and other appliances and give him his own toys with knobs and buttons to press.

Your child will be interested in playing with simple puzzles.

Your child will enjoy toys that link together, such as trains with carriages and stacking toys, hammer and peg sets, and filling and emptying containers.

He/She will love to look at pictures, particularly if you name familiar objects and animals and allow him to turn the pages sometimes.

Favorite conversations involve talking about what he is looking at, doing or feeling. Your child learns more words when you chat this way, rather than when you ask questions. Try to avoid questions that you already know the answer to. Instead of asking ‘what’s that?’ you might say ‘oh, it’s a yummy apple’.

Play games where he has lots of opportunities to say ‘no’, such as ‘Is daddy under the bed?’

Provide toys, such as plastic fruit, animals and cars, so he can learn about difference and sameness.

Young children love to copy others and to dress up, and play with toys that allow them to copy household activity, for example telephone, dolls and washing up.

Allow your child to play by himself at times without interference so that he learns to entertain himself. He will ask for help if he wants it.

To see more related videos to speech language delay:

Red Flags for Birth – 1 Year: Speech and Language Milestones:

It is important that parents seek advice from a Speech and Language Therapist if:

A child does not respond to mothers speech by staring or smiling

A child does not achieve neck control until 6 months of age

Sucking and feeding is an issue

A child does not cry for indicating needs even after 8-9 months

Does not respond to name call

Does not recognize parents

No eye contact while speaking to child

What can you do to help?

Check your child’s ability to hear, and pay attention to ear problems and infections, especially when they keep occurring.

Reinforce your baby’s communication attempts by looking at him or her, speaking, and imitating his or her vocalizations.

Repeat his or her laughter and facial expressions.

Teach your baby to imitate actions, such as peekaboo, clapping, blowing kisses, pat-a-cake, itsy bitsy spider, and waving bye-bye. These games teach turn taking that is needed for conversation.

Talk while you are doing things, such as dressing, bathing, and feeding (e.g., “Mommy is washing Sam’s hair”; “Sam is eating carrots”; “Oh, these carrots are good!”).

Talk about where you are going, what you will do once you get there, and who and what you’ll see (e.g., “Sam is going to Grandma’s house. Grandma has a dog. Sam will pet the dog.”).

Teach animal sounds (e.g., “A cow says ‘moo’”).

Communicate with your child in the language you are most comfortable using.

Red flags for 1-2 years: Speech and Language Milestones:

Talk with your doctor or child health nurse if your child:

Is tripping over her feet a lot and this is not improving
Isn’t yet walking
Cannot hold a spoon with enough purpose to get food into his/her mouth
Can’t pick up small objects with a pincer grip
Can’t build a tower of 3 to 4 bricks
Is only using up to 20 single words consistently
Doesn’t understand simple directions (this does not mean she will always do as you tell her)
Often runs very far away (out of sight) or climbs extremely high without hesitation.

Download our App- Speech Doctorto detect if your child has a speech-language delay. Click on the image.

What you can do to help?

Your child will love to turn knobs and push buttons as this helps him to learn to use his muscles and also to feel that he can manage new things. Protect the TV and other appliances and give him his own toys with knobs and buttons to press.

Your child will be interested in playing with simple puzzles.

Your child will enjoy toys that link together, such as trains with carriages and stacking toys, hammer and peg sets, and filling and emptying containers.

He/She will love to look at pictures, particularly if you name familiar objects and animals and allow him to turn the pages sometimes.

Favorite conversations involve talking about what he is looking at, doing or feeling. Your child learns more words when you chat this way, rather than when you ask questions. Try to avoid questions that you already know the answer to. Instead of asking ‘what’s that?’ you might say ‘oh, it’s a yummy apple’.

Play games where he has lots of opportunities to say ‘no’, such as ‘Is daddy under the bed?’

Provide toys, such as plastic fruit, animals and cars, so he can learn about difference and sameness.

Young children love to copy others and to dress up, and play with toys that allow them to copy household activity, for example telephone, dolls and washing up.

Allow your child to play by himself at times without interference so that he learns to entertain himself. He will ask for help if he wants it.

To see more related videos to speech language delay:

Red Flags for Birth – 1 Year: Speech and Language Milestones:

It is important that parents seek advice from a Speech and Language Therapist if:

A child does not respond to mothers speech by staring or smiling

A child does not achieve neck control until 6 months of age

Sucking and feeding is an issue

A child does not cry for indicating needs even after 8-9 months

Does not respond to name call

Does not recognize parents

No eye contact while speaking to child

What can you do to help?

Check your child’s ability to hear, and pay attention to ear problems and infections, especially when they keep occurring.

Reinforce your baby’s communication attempts by looking at him or her, speaking, and imitating his or her vocalizations.

Repeat his or her laughter and facial expressions.

Teach your baby to imitate actions, such as peekaboo, clapping, blowing kisses, pat-a-cake, itsy bitsy spider, and waving bye-bye. These games teach turn taking that is needed for conversation.

Talk while you are doing things, such as dressing, bathing, and feeding (e.g., “Mommy is washing Sam’s hair”; “Sam is eating carrots”; “Oh, these carrots are good!”).

Talk about where you are going, what you will do once you get there, and who and what you’ll see (e.g., “Sam is going to Grandma’s house. Grandma has a dog. Sam will pet the dog.”).

Teach animal sounds (e.g., “A cow says ‘moo’”).

Communicate with your child in the language you are most comfortable using.

Red flags for 1-2 years: Speech and Language Milestones:

Talk with your doctor or child health nurse if your child:

Is tripping over her feet a lot and this is not improving
Isn’t yet walking
Cannot hold a spoon with enough purpose to get food into his/her mouth
Can’t pick up small objects with a pincer grip
Can’t build a tower of 3 to 4 bricks
Is only using up to 20 single words consistently
Doesn’t understand simple directions (this does not mean she will always do as you tell her)
Often runs very far away (out of sight) or climbs extremely high without hesitation.

Download our App- Speech Doctorto detect if your child has a speech-language delay. Click on the image.

What you can do to help?

Your child will love to turn knobs and push buttons as this helps him to learn to use his muscles and also to feel that he can manage new things. Protect the TV and other appliances and give him his own toys with knobs and buttons to press.

Your child will be interested in playing with simple puzzles.

Your child will enjoy toys that link together, such as trains with carriages and stacking toys, hammer and peg sets, and filling and emptying containers.

He/She will love to look at pictures, particularly if you name familiar objects and animals and allow him to turn the pages sometimes.

Favorite conversations involve talking about what he is looking at, doing or feeling. Your child learns more words when you chat this way, rather than when you ask questions. Try to avoid questions that you already know the answer to. Instead of asking ‘what’s that?’ you might say ‘oh, it’s a yummy apple’.

Play games where he has lots of opportunities to say ‘no’, such as ‘Is daddy under the bed?’

Provide toys, such as plastic fruit, animals and cars, so he can learn about difference and sameness.

Young children love to copy others and to dress up, and play with toys that allow them to copy household activity, for example telephone, dolls and washing up.

Allow your child to play by himself at times without interference so that he learns to entertain himself. He will ask for help if he wants it.

To see more related videos to speech language delay:

Red Flags for Birth – 1 Year: Speech and Language Milestones:

It is important that parents seek advice from a Speech and Language Therapist if:

A child does not respond to mothers speech by staring or smiling

A child does not achieve neck control until 6 months of age

Sucking and feeding is an issue

A child does not cry for indicating needs even after 8-9 months

Does not respond to name call

Does not recognize parents

No eye contact while speaking to child

What can you do to help?

Check your child’s ability to hear, and pay attention to ear problems and infections, especially when they keep occurring.

Reinforce your baby’s communication attempts by looking at him or her, speaking, and imitating his or her vocalizations.

Repeat his or her laughter and facial expressions.

Teach your baby to imitate actions, such as peekaboo, clapping, blowing kisses, pat-a-cake, itsy bitsy spider, and waving bye-bye. These games teach turn taking that is needed for conversation.

Talk while you are doing things, such as dressing, bathing, and feeding (e.g., “Mommy is washing Sam’s hair”; “Sam is eating carrots”; “Oh, these carrots are good!”).

Talk about where you are going, what you will do once you get there, and who and what you’ll see (e.g., “Sam is going to Grandma’s house. Grandma has a dog. Sam will pet the dog.”).

Teach animal sounds (e.g., “A cow says ‘moo’”).

Communicate with your child in the language you are most comfortable using.

Red flags for 1-2 years: Speech and Language Milestones:

Talk with your doctor or child health nurse if your child:

Is tripping over her feet a lot and this is not improving
Isn’t yet walking
Cannot hold a spoon with enough purpose to get food into his/her mouth
Can’t pick up small objects with a pincer grip
Can’t build a tower of 3 to 4 bricks
Is only using up to 20 single words consistently
Doesn’t understand simple directions (this does not mean she will always do as you tell her)
Often runs very far away (out of sight) or climbs extremely high without hesitation.

Download our App- Speech Doctorto detect if your child has a speech-language delay. Click on the image.

What you can do to help?

Your child will love to turn knobs and push buttons as this helps him to learn to use his muscles and also to feel that he can manage new things. Protect the TV and other appliances and give him his own toys with knobs and buttons to press.

Your child will be interested in playing with simple puzzles.

Your child will enjoy toys that link together, such as trains with carriages and stacking toys, hammer and peg sets, and filling and emptying containers.

He/She will love to look at pictures, particularly if you name familiar objects and animals and allow him to turn the pages sometimes.

Favorite conversations involve talking about what he is looking at, doing or feeling. Your child learns more words when you chat this way, rather than when you ask questions. Try to avoid questions that you already know the answer to. Instead of asking ‘what’s that?’ you might say ‘oh, it’s a yummy apple’.

Play games where he has lots of opportunities to say ‘no’, such as ‘Is daddy under the bed?’

Provide toys, such as plastic fruit, animals and cars, so he can learn about difference and sameness.

Young children love to copy others and to dress up, and play with toys that allow them to copy household activity, for example telephone, dolls and washing up.

Allow your child to play by himself at times without interference so that he learns to entertain himself. He will ask for help if he wants it.

To see more related videos to speech language delay:

Red Flags for Birth – 1 Year: Speech and Language Milestones:

It is important that parents seek advice from a Speech and Language Therapist if:

A child does not respond to mothers speech by staring or smiling

A child does not achieve neck control until 6 months of age

Sucking and feeding is an issue

A child does not cry for indicating needs even after 8-9 months

Does not respond to name call

Does not recognize parents

No eye contact while speaking to child

What can you do to help?

Check your child’s ability to hear, and pay attention to ear problems and infections, especially when they keep occurring.

Reinforce your baby’s communication attempts by looking at him or her, speaking, and imitating his or her vocalizations.

Repeat his or her laughter and facial expressions.

Teach your baby to imitate actions, such as peekaboo, clapping, blowing kisses, pat-a-cake, itsy bitsy spider, and waving bye-bye. These games teach turn taking that is needed for conversation.

Talk while you are doing things, such as dressing, bathing, and feeding (e.g., “Mommy is washing Sam’s hair”; “Sam is eating carrots”; “Oh, these carrots are good!”).

Talk about where you are going, what you will do once you get there, and who and what you’ll see (e.g., “Sam is going to Grandma’s house. Grandma has a dog. Sam will pet the dog.”).

Teach animal sounds (e.g., “A cow says ‘moo’”).

Communicate with your child in the language you are most comfortable using.

Red flags for 1-2 years: Speech and Language Milestones:

Talk with your doctor or child health nurse if your child:

Is tripping over her feet a lot and this is not improving
Isn’t yet walking
Cannot hold a spoon with enough purpose to get food into his/her mouth
Can’t pick up small objects with a pincer grip
Can’t build a tower of 3 to 4 bricks
Is only using up to 20 single words consistently
Doesn’t understand simple directions (this does not mean she will always do as you tell her)
Often runs very far away (out of sight) or climbs extremely high without hesitation.

Download our App- Speech Doctorto detect if your child has a speech-language delay. Click on the image.

What you can do to help?

Your child will love to turn knobs and push buttons as this helps him to learn to use his muscles and also to feel that he can manage new things. Protect the TV and other appliances and give him his own toys with knobs and buttons to press.

Your child will be interested in playing with simple puzzles.

Your child will enjoy toys that link together, such as trains with carriages and stacking toys, hammer and peg sets, and filling and emptying containers.

He/She will love to look at pictures, particularly if you name familiar objects and animals and allow him to turn the pages sometimes.

Favorite conversations involve talking about what he is looking at, doing or feeling. Your child learns more words when you chat this way, rather than when you ask questions. Try to avoid questions that you already know the answer to. Instead of asking ‘what’s that?’ you might say ‘oh, it’s a yummy apple’.

Play games where he has lots of opportunities to say ‘no’, such as ‘Is daddy under the bed?’

Provide toys, such as plastic fruit, animals and cars, so he can learn about difference and sameness.

Young children love to copy others and to dress up, and play with toys that allow them to copy household activity, for example telephone, dolls and washing up.

Allow your child to play by himself at times without interference so that he learns to entertain himself. He will ask for help if he wants it.

To see more related videos to speech language delay:

Red Flags for Birth – 1 Year: Speech and Language Milestones:

It is important that parents seek advice from a Speech and Language Therapist if:

A child does not respond to mothers speech by staring or smiling

A child does not achieve neck control until 6 months of age

Sucking and feeding is an issue

A child does not cry for indicating needs even after 8-9 months

Does not respond to name call

Does not recognize parents

No eye contact while speaking to child

What can you do to help?

Check your child’s ability to hear, and pay attention to ear problems and infections, especially when they keep occurring.

Reinforce your baby’s communication attempts by looking at him or her, speaking, and imitating his or her vocalizations.

Repeat his or her laughter and facial expressions.

Teach your baby to imitate actions, such as peekaboo, clapping, blowing kisses, pat-a-cake, itsy bitsy spider, and waving bye-bye. These games teach turn taking that is needed for conversation.

Talk while you are doing things, such as dressing, bathing, and feeding (e.g., “Mommy is washing Sam’s hair”; “Sam is eating carrots”; “Oh, these carrots are good!”).

Talk about where you are going, what you will do once you get there, and who and what you’ll see (e.g., “Sam is going to Grandma’s house. Grandma has a dog. Sam will pet the dog.”).

Teach animal sounds (e.g., “A cow says ‘moo’”).

Communicate with your child in the language you are most comfortable using.

Red flags for 1-2 years: Speech and Language Milestones:

Talk with your doctor or child health nurse if your child:

Is tripping over her feet a lot and this is not improving
Isn’t yet walking
Cannot hold a spoon with enough purpose to get food into his/her mouth
Can’t pick up small objects with a pincer grip
Can’t build a tower of 3 to 4 bricks
Is only using up to 20 single words consistently
Doesn’t understand simple directions (this does not mean she will always do as you tell her)
Often runs very far away (out of sight) or climbs extremely high without hesitation.

Download our App- Speech Doctorto detect if your child has a speech-language delay. Click on the image.

What you can do to help?

Your child will love to turn knobs and push buttons as this helps him to learn to use his muscles and also to feel that he can manage new things. Protect the TV and other appliances and give him his own toys with knobs and buttons to press.

Your child will be interested in playing with simple puzzles.

Your child will enjoy toys that link together, such as trains with carriages and stacking toys, hammer and peg sets, and filling and emptying containers.

He/She will love to look at pictures, particularly if you name familiar objects and animals and allow him to turn the pages sometimes.

Favorite conversations involve talking about what he is looking at, doing or feeling. Your child learns more words when you chat this way, rather than when you ask questions. Try to avoid questions that you already know the answer to. Instead of asking ‘what’s that?’ you might say ‘oh, it’s a yummy apple’.

Play games where he has lots of opportunities to say ‘no’, such as ‘Is daddy under the bed?’

Provide toys, such as plastic fruit, animals and cars, so he can learn about difference and sameness.

Young children love to copy others and to dress up, and play with toys that allow them to copy household activity, for example telephone, dolls and washing up.

Allow your child to play by himself at times without interference so that he learns to entertain himself. He will ask for help if he wants it.

To see more related videos to speech language delay

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