Top 10 Signs Your Child May Need Speech Therapy in Kollam, Kerala
- Team Pranaah
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Top 10 Signs Your Child May Need Speech Therapy in Kollam, Kerala
As a parent, you naturally want the best for your child's development. While every child grows at their own pace, speech and language development follows certain milestones that help us understand if a child might benefit from professional support.
At Pranaah Child Development Centre in Kollam, we work with families every day who have questions about their child's communication. If you've been wondering whether your child might need speech therapy, this guide will help you recognize the signs.
Understanding Speech and Language Development
Before we dive into the signs, it's important to understand that speech and language are two different things:
Speech refers to the physical act of making sounds and forming words clearly.
Language involves understanding what others say and expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
A child can have difficulties with one or both areas, and early intervention makes a tremendous difference.
Top 10 Signs Your Child May Need Speech Therapy
1. Limited Babbling by 12 Months
Babies typically start babbling around 6-9 months, making sounds like "ba-ba" or "ma-ma." If your child isn't experimenting with sounds by their first birthday, it may be worth getting an assessment.
What to watch for: Quiet baby who doesn't make many vocal sounds, lack of sound play or imitation.
2. Very Few Words by Age 2
Most toddlers have a vocabulary of 50+ words and start combining two words together by age 2. If your child is using fewer than 20-25 words or isn't trying to communicate verbally, speech therapy can help.
What to watch for: Heavy reliance on gestures, pointing instead of speaking, frustration when trying to express needs.
3. Difficulty Being Understood by Family Members
By age 3, parents should understand about 75% of what their child says. By age 4, even strangers should understand most of your child's speech.
What to watch for: Family members frequently asking "what did you say?", child becoming upset when not understood, avoiding speaking situations.
4. Not Following Simple Instructions
If your 2-3 year old struggles to follow simple directions like "give me the ball" or "sit down," they may have receptive language difficulties.
What to watch for: Looking confused when given instructions, not responding to their name consistently, difficulty understanding questions.
5. Stuttering or Stammering
Some stuttering is normal between ages 2-5 as children's brains work faster than their mouths. However, if stuttering persists, worsens, or causes your child distress, early therapy is very effective.
What to watch for: Repetition of sounds or words, prolonging sounds, visible tension when speaking, avoiding talking due to stuttering.
6. Trouble with Specific Sounds
While some sound errors are age-appropriate, persistent difficulty with certain sounds may indicate a speech sound disorder.
Age guidelines:
By age 3: p, b, m, h, w sounds
By age 4: t, d, k, g, f sounds
By age 5-6: l, s, r, v, z sounds
By age 7: th, ch, sh sounds
What to watch for: Consistently leaving out sounds, substituting sounds (saying "tat" for "cat"), distorting sounds.
7. Limited Sentence Structure
By age 3, children should be using 3-4 word sentences. By age 4-5, they should use complete sentences with proper grammar most of the time.
What to watch for: Speaking only in single words or two-word phrases past age 3, incorrect grammar that doesn't improve, difficulty telling simple stories.
8. Voice Quality Concerns
Chronic hoarseness, nasality, or unusual pitch that lasts more than 2-3 weeks should be evaluated.
What to watch for: Constantly hoarse or raspy voice, speaking too loudly or softly, voice sounds different than other children.
9. Regression in Speech Skills
If your child was speaking and suddenly stops or significantly reduces speech, this requires immediate evaluation.
What to watch for: Loss of previously used words, withdrawal from communication, any sudden changes in communication abilities.
10. Social Communication Difficulties
Some children have the mechanics of speech but struggle with the social use of language, such as taking turns in conversation, making eye contact, or understanding non-verbal cues.
What to watch for: Not responding to others, difficulty maintaining conversations, missing social cues, inappropriate responses to questions.
What Parents in Kollam Should Know
Early intervention is key. The earlier you address speech and language concerns, the better the outcomes. Many parents worry about "overreacting," but getting a professional assessment provides either peace of mind or a clear path forward.
At Pranaah, our speech and language therapists conduct comprehensive assessments to understand your child's unique needs. We then create personalized therapy plans that work on your child's specific goals.
What Makes Speech Therapy at Pranaah Different?
Evidence-Based Approaches: We use scientifically proven techniques tailored to each child.
Child-Friendly Environment: Our therapy rooms in Kollam are designed to make children feel comfortable and engaged.
Parent Involvement: We provide you with home practice activities so therapy continues beyond our sessions.
Multidisciplinary Team: Our speech therapists work alongside occupational therapists, psychologists, and special educators when needed.
Regular Progress Tracking: You'll receive clear updates on your child's development and therapy goals.
When Should You Seek Help?
Trust your instincts. If you have concerns about your child's speech or language development, an assessment can provide clarity. You don't need to wait or "see if they grow out of it."
Common myths we hear in Kerala:
❌ "Boys talk later than girls" - While there's slight variation, significant delays need evaluation
❌ "They'll catch up eventually" - Without intervention, delays often persist and widen
❌ "They're just lazy" - Speech delays are developmental issues, not behavior problems
❌ "Bilingual homes cause speech delays" - Bilingualism doesn't cause delays; it's actually beneficial!
Next Steps: Getting Started with Speech Therapy in Kollam
If your child shows any of these signs, here's what to do:
1. Schedule an Assessment Contact Pranaah to book a comprehensive speech and language evaluation. This typically takes 60-90 minutes and gives us a complete picture of your child's abilities.
2. Receive a Personalized Plan Based on the assessment, we'll create therapy goals specifically for your child.
3. Begin Therapy Sessions Regular therapy sessions (typically 2-3 times per week) help your child build skills progressively.
4. Practice at Home We'll teach you activities to support your child's communication at home, making every interaction a learning opportunity.
The Pranaah Promise
Every child deserves to express themselves clearly and confidently. At Pranaah Child Development Centre, we've been supporting families in Kollam since 2013 with compassionate, professional care.
Whether your child needs help with speech sounds, language comprehension, stuttering, or social communication, our experienced team is here to guide your family every step of the way.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you recognize any of these signs in your child, don't wait. Early intervention makes all the difference in speech and language development.
Contact Pranaah Child Development Centre, Kollam:
📞 Use our helpline numbers +919446010728 on www.pranaah.org
📍 Located in Kollam, Kerala and Kottarakkara
💻 Online and offline appointments available
Professional speech therapy services for children in Kollam | Evidence-based intervention | Personalized care plans | Trusted by Kerala families since 2013
Have questions about your child's speech development? Our friendly team at Pranaah is here to help. Book your assessment today and give your child the gift of confident communication.
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