As a parent, you might wonder if your child’s speech development is on track.
Noticing certain red flags early can lead to timely support, helping children communicate more confidently. Below are key signs that may indicate your child could benefit from working with a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).
1. Limited or No Babbling by 9–12 Months
Babbling like “ba-ba” or “da-da” is a key pre-language milestone. If missing, it may be a sign of a delay in speech development.
2. No Words by 16 Months
By this age, children typically start using simple words. If your child isn’t saying words like “mama” or “ball,” an evaluation is recommended.
3. Difficulty Following Simple Instructions
If your toddler doesn’t respond to everyday requests like “get your shoes” or “come here,” it could reflect language comprehension delays.
4. Unclear Speech by Age 3
By three years old, strangers should understand most of what your child says. Persistent unclear speech may require articulation therapy.
5. Slow Vocabulary Growth
Children should steadily add new words, especially between ages 2 and 4. Limited vocabulary expansion can signal expressive language challenges.
6. Difficulty Constructing Sentences
Toddlers should begin combining words into phrases by age 2.5. If your child still speaks mostly in single words, it may be time to seek support.
7. Frequent Repetition or Stuttering
It’s common for young children to repeat words occasionally, but consistent stuttering—especially with frustration—can indicate a fluency disorder.
8. Loss of Previously Acquired Speech
If your child stops using words they used before, or suddenly regresses in language, it’s important to consult a professional promptly.
9. Limited Social Communication
Trouble taking turns in conversation, poor eye contact, or not responding to name could signal pragmatic language difficulties or autism spectrum-related concerns.
10. Persistent Pronunciation Difficulties After Age 4
Mixing up sounds (e.g., saying “wabbit” for “rabbit”) is common early on—but if it continues past age 4, it may need articulation support.
When to Seek Professional Support
If you’ve noticed one or more of the signs above, it’s a good idea to connect with a licensed SLP. Early intervention leads to better outcomes and helps prevent frustration for both the child and family.
Why Choose Speech Therapy Centre of Canada
At Speech Therapy Centre of Canada, we support families with personalized speech and language services in-clinic and virtually across Ontario. We offer:
- Voice Disorders
- Accent Modification
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
- Alternative and Augmentative Communication
- Aphasia
- Articulation and Phonological Difficulties
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- Children’s Literacy
- Developmental Disorders
- Language Disorders and Difficulties
- Language-Based Learning Difficulties
- Motor-Speech Disorders (Apraxia of Speech)
- Neurologically Based Speech Impairments (e.g.: Stroke, Parkinson’s disease)
- Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia)
- Presentation Skills
- Social Communication (Pragmatics)
- Speech Delay and Disorders
- Stuttering
Book a Consultation Today
🏥 Locations: Richmond Hill & Ajax
💻 Virtual Speech Therapy: Available across Ontario
📞 Phone: 905‑886‑5941
📧 Email: info@speechtherapycentres.com
🌐 Website: speechtherapycentres.com
Let’s give your child the tools to express themselves with confidence. Book your first appointment today.
The Speech Therapy Centres of Canada is a team of dedicated speech-language pathologists (commonly known as S-LPs or speech therapists) and speech-language pathology assistants (S-LPAs) who provide assessment and therapy services to children and adults with communication disorders. Our S-LPS, S-LPAs and support staff are truly committed to providing the highest quality of service to our clients and their families. We understand that navigating the world of speech therapy may be daunting so our client services team is prepared to help you every step of the way.
