When should I consult a speech therapist?

If your child isn’t meeting speech milestones, avoids talking, uses fewer words than expected, or has unclear speech after age 3, consult a speech therapist.

How do I know if my child needs evaluation?

If you notice delays in speech, social skills, behaviour, learning, motor skills, or if your child is not meeting age-appropriate milestones, an evaluation is recommended. Early assessment helps identify developmental needs and ensures timely intervention.

Do you provide therapy services to very young children?

Yes. Pranaah Child Development Centre provides early intervention and therapy services for infants and toddlers. Early support can significantly improve developmental outcomes.

What should I do if I do not know which therapy is most appropriate for my child?

A comprehensive assessment is the best way to determine which therapy your child needs. At Pranaah, specialists evaluate your child's strengths and developmental challenges and recommend the right intervention plan.

Assessment is a structured evaluation conducted by qualified professionals to understand a child's developmental, cognitive, behavioural, speech, and motor abilities. It helps identify concerns and guides the therapy plan.

How long does an assessment take?

Most assessments take 45–90 minutes depending on the child's age, cooperation, and the type of testing required. In some cases, multiple sessions may be needed.

What do I need to bring for the evaluation of my child?

Parents are advised to bring the child's medical history, previous reports, school feedback, birth details, and any relevant documents. This helps specialists make an accurate developmental profile.

Can I bring other children to the assessment session?

For best results, it is recommended to attend the session with only the child being assessed. A quiet, distraction-free environment helps the therapist conduct accurate evaluations.

Should both parents attend the assessment session?

Yes, if possible. Both parents attending helps provide complete background information and ensures that everyone clearly understands the findings and recommendations.

Do I get a report after assessment, and can I submit it to my child’s school?

Yes. After the assessment, a detailed report is provided. This report can be submitted to your child’s school, paediatrician, or other professionals for support and academic planning.

How long is the assessment report valid?

Reports are generally valid for 6–12 months depending on how quickly your child progresses. However, if there are major concerns or rapid developmental changes, an updated evaluation may be needed sooner.

Will the therapist discuss findings with parents after the assessment?

Yes. After the assessment, the therapist will explain the findings, discuss your child's strengths and needs, and recommend the best intervention or therapy plan.

How to Tell if Your Child Has a Speech Delay?

Q: At what age should a child start talking?

Most children say their first words around 12–18 months. By 2 years, they usually combine two-word phrases. If these milestones are delayed, a speech evaluation is recommended.

Q: How do I know if my child has a speech delay?

Signs include no babbling by 12 months, no meaningful words by 18 months, limited vocabulary, unclear speech, or not forming sentences by age 2–3.

Q: Should I wait to see if my child will catch up?

Waiting can delay progress. Early intervention gives the best results. It’s always safe to get a professional assessment.

Q: What causes speech delay?

Speech delay may be caused by hearing issues, developmental delays, autism spectrum conditions, oral motor problems, limited language exposure, or neurological reasons.

Q: Can too much screen time cause speech delay?

Yes. Excessive screen time reduces real-time language exposure and can contribute to speech and social communication delays.

Q: How is speech delay diagnosed?

A speech-language pathologist evaluates vocabulary, pronunciation, sentence formation, language understanding, oral-motor skills, and hearing.

Q: Can speech delay be cured?

Yes. With early therapy and parent participation, most children show excellent improvement.

Q: What happens during speech therapy at Pranaah?

Pranaah uses child-friendly, play-based speech therapy including articulation training, vocabulary building, language stimulation, parent guidance, and customised programs.

Team Pranaah
Nov 29, 2025
6 min read

Updated: Dec 20, 2025

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.

How to Tell if Your Child Has a Speech Delay?

📞 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.