How to Tell if Your Child Has a Speech Delay?
- Team Pranaah
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
How to Tell if Your Child Has a Speech Delay?
A Parent's Guide by Pranaah Child Development Centre, Kollam**
Every parent looks forward to hearing their child’s first words. When those words take longer to come, it is natural to feel worried. Speech delay is common—and in most cases, early identification makes a huge difference in helping children communicate confidently.
At Pranaah Child Development Centre, Kollam, parents frequently ask us:
“Is my child’s speech delay normal?”
“When should I worry about my child’s speech development?”
“Does my child need speech therapy?”
This guide answers these questions clearly, using child-friendly milestones and warning signs that every parent should know.
⭐ What Is Speech Delay?
Speech delay means a child is developing speech and communication skills slower than expected for their age. This includes difficulty with:
Speaking words
Forming sentences
Understanding language
Pronunciation
Communicating needs
Speech delay is not a child’s “fault”—it can happen for many reasons, and early therapy works extremely well.
Age-Wise Early Speech Milestones
By 12 Months
A child typically:
Responds to name
Understands simple words like no, bye
Makes babbling sounds (mama, dada)
Uses gestures (pointing, waving)
❗ Red Flags:
No babbling
No response to sound
By 18 Months
A child typically:
Says 10–20 words
Points to objects they want
Understands simple instructions
❗ Red Flags:
No meaningful words
Only gestures, no attempt to speak
By 2 Years
A child typically:
Says 50+ words
Combines 2 words (mama come, more juice)
Understands simple questions
Follows instructions
❗ Red Flags:
Unable to combine two words
Speech difficult to understand
By 3 Years
A child typically:
Speaks in 3–4 word sentences
Can be understood most of the time
Asks questions
Names colors, objects, people
❗ Red Flags:
Speech is unclear
Struggles with simple phrases
❗ Top 10 Signs Your Child May Have a Speech Delay
Parents should seek expert help if they notice:
No babbling by 12 months
No meaningful words by 18 months
Very limited vocabulary for age
Difficulty understanding instructions
Not combining words by age 2
Poor eye contact or limited social interaction
Speech is unclear even at age 3+
Difficulty forming sentences
Child prefers gestures over words
Regression or loss of previously learned speech
If you observe two or more of the above signs, it’s best to get a speech-language evaluation.
🧠 Why Do Speech Delays Happen?
Speech delay can occur due to:
Hearing issues
Developmental delays
Oral motor difficulties
Autism spectrum
Tongue tie
Limited exposure to language
Premature birth
Neurological concerns
Not all children with speech delay have serious conditions—many simply need guided stimulation and professional support.
⭐ How Early Speech Therapy Helps
Early intervention improves:
Vocabulary
Sentence formation
Pronunciation
Understanding and following instructions
Social communication
Academic performance
The earlier the therapy begins, the faster the progress.
🏥 Speech Therapy at Pranaah Child Development Centre, Kollam
At Pranaah, our certified speech-language pathologists provide:
Speech Delay Screening
Language Stimulation Programs
Articulation Therapy
Early Intervention Therapy
Autism-related communication programs
Parent-led home training plans
Hearing & oral motor assessments
We follow a child-friendly, play-based approach that makes learning enjoyable and effective.
👨👩👧 What Parents Can Do at Home
You can support your child’s speech development by:
Talking often during daily activities
Naming objects and actions
Reading picture books
Encouraging your child to repeat words
Limiting screen time
Asking simple questions
Praising small attempts to speak
🔍 When Should You Consult a Speech Therapist?
Seek an evaluation if:
✔ Your child is not meeting language milestones✔ You feel something is “not right”✔ Teachers or caregivers raise concerns✔ Your child is getting frustrated due to communication difficulties
You don’t have to wait—early assessment is always helpful and never harmful.
📞 Worried About Your Child’s Speech? We’re Here to Help. Call +919446010728 / +918078971738
Pranaah Holistic Health Care Child Development Centre – Kollam, Kerala✔ Speech Therapy✔ Occupational Therapy✔ Early Intervention✔ Behaviour Therapy✔ Special Education
Book an assessment today and give your child the confidence to communicate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Speech Delay in Children
1. What is speech delay in children?
Speech delay means a child is developing spoken language skills—like vocabulary, pronunciation, or sentence formation—slower than expected for their age. It may affect the ability to express or understand language.
2. At what age should a child start talking?
Most children say their first words around 12–18 months. By 2 years, they should use simple two-word phrases. If your child is not reaching these milestones, it’s good to get a speech evaluation.
3. How do I know if my child has a speech delay?
Common signs include no babbling by 12 months, no meaningful words by 18 months, limited vocabulary, unclear speech, difficulty following instructions, or not forming simple sentences by age 2–3.
4. Should I wait to see if my child will “catch up”?
No. Waiting can delay progress. Early identification and therapy give the best results. A professional assessment can tell you whether the delay is typical or needs intervention.
5. What causes speech delay?
Speech delay may be due to hearing problems, developmental delays, limited language exposure, autism spectrum conditions, oral-motor difficulties, or neurological causes. Sometimes, the cause is simply delayed development.
6. Can too much screen time cause speech delay?
Yes. Excessive screen time—especially for children under 3—can reduce language stimulation and lead to delayed speech and social communication skills.
7. Do boys talk later than girls?
Boys may develop speech slightly later, but the difference is minimal. A noticeable delay should not be dismissed as “normal for boys.”
8. How is speech delay diagnosed?
A speech-language pathologist evaluates your child’s vocabulary, sentence formation, understanding of language, pronunciation, oral-motor skills, and social communication. Hearing screening is also recommended.
9. Can speech delay be cured?
In most cases, yes. With early intervention, structured therapy, and parent involvement, many children show excellent improvement.
10. When should I see a speech therapist?
If your child:✔ Isn’t meeting speech milestones✔ Doesn’t respond to sounds✔ Uses fewer words than children of the same age✔ Shows unclear speech after age 3✔ Prefers gestures but avoids talking. It's time for a professional consultation.
11. What happens during speech therapy at Pranaah?
Pranaah’s speech therapy includes play-based activities, vocabulary building, articulation training, parent guidance, storytelling, picture cards, and individualised language programs tailored to your child’s needs.
12. Can parents help improve speech at home?
Absolutely. Daily conversation, naming objects, reading books together, asking simple questions, and limiting screen time all support faster speech development.
13. Is speech delay related to autism?
Not always. While communication difficulty is one early sign of autism, many children with speech delay do not have autism. A professional assessment helps differentiate.
14. Will my child need long-term therapy?
It depends on the cause and severity. Some children improve within months; others may need ongoing support. Regular sessions and home practice speed up progress.
15. How can Pranaah Child Development Centre help?
Pranaah offers:✔ Speech & Language Therapy✔ Early Intervention Programs✔ Hearing screenings✔ Parent coaching✔ Multi-disciplinary care (OT, Behaviour Therapy, Special Education)
We focus on child-friendly, evidence-based therapy to support children in Kollam and nearby regions.
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