Signs Your Child May Need Speech Therapy
A parent's guide to speech and language milestones, warning signs, and when to seek a professional evaluation.
Every Child Develops Differently — But Milestones Matter
Children develop speech and language skills at their own pace, and some variation is perfectly normal. However, there are established milestones that help us identify when a child may benefit from professional support. Early identification and intervention consistently lead to better outcomes.
Below is an age-by-age guide to what you can expect and what might indicate a concern. If you see your child reflected in the “potential concerns” column, an evaluation can provide clarity and peace of mind.
6–12 Months
What to Expect
- Babbling with consonant-vowel combinations (ba-ba, da-da)
- Responding to their name
- Using gestures (waving, reaching, pointing)
- Understanding simple words like "no" and "bye-bye"
Potential Concerns
- No babbling by 9 months
- Doesn't respond to name by 12 months
- No gestures (pointing, waving) by 12 months
- Very quiet — limited vocal play or sound-making
12–18 Months
What to Expect
- First words emerging (mama, dada, ball, more)
- Following simple directions ("give me the cup")
- Pointing to objects they want or find interesting
- At least 5–10 words by 18 months
Potential Concerns
- No words by 15 months
- Doesn't point or use gestures to communicate
- Doesn't seem to understand simple directions
- Loss of previously acquired words or skills
18–24 Months
What to Expect
- Vocabulary growing rapidly (at least 50 words by 24 months)
- Starting to combine two words ("more milk", "daddy go")
- Following two-step directions
- Understood about 50% of the time by unfamiliar listeners
Potential Concerns
- Fewer than 50 words by 24 months
- Not combining two words by 24 months
- Mostly uses gestures instead of words to communicate
- Significant frustration when trying to communicate
2–3 Years
What to Expect
- Using 3–4 word sentences
- Asking simple questions
- Understood about 75% of the time by unfamiliar listeners
- Following multi-step directions
Potential Concerns
- Difficult for familiar people to understand
- Not using sentences by age 3
- Struggling to follow simple directions
- Stuttering that lasts more than 6 months
3–5 Years
What to Expect
- Telling simple stories
- Using 4–5+ word sentences
- Understood 90–100% of the time
- Most speech sounds are correct (some later-developing sounds like /r/, /th/ may still be developing)
Potential Concerns
- Difficult for strangers to understand by age 4
- Difficulty with social interactions or conversations
- Unable to follow classroom directions
- Sounds immature compared to peers
- Persistent lisp or difficulty with common sounds
When in Doubt, Get an Evaluation
A speech-language evaluation is not a commitment to therapy — it's an opportunity to understand where your child is, whether intervention would be helpful, and what you can do at home to support their development. If your child is developing normally, you get peace of mind. If there is a concern, you've taken the most important first step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Concerns About Your Child's Speech?
Schedule a free consultation with a certified speech-language pathologist. We're here to help.