Signs of Speech and Language Delay - Wooster Community Hospital (2024)

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Signs of Speech and Language Delay - Wooster Community Hospital? ›

One sign of speech or language delay is if they prefer using gestures over trying to talk. Another sign that your child may exhibit at this age is difficulty in imitating sounds and understanding simple verbal instructions.

No consistent words by 18 months. No word combinations by 24 months. Slowed or stagnant speech development. Problems understanding your child's speech at 24 months of age, or strangers having problems understanding your child's speech by 36 months of age.

Your child may have a speech delay if they aren't able to do these things: Say simple words (such as “mama” or “dada”) either clearly or unclearly by 12 to 15 months of age. Understand simple words (such as “no” or “stop”) by 18 months of age. Talk in short sentences by 3 years of age.

Speech and language delays can be a result of developmental delays/disorders, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and hearing loss/deafness. Children with cognitive delays comprise 50% of those with speech-language delays.

Speech delays are very common among children with autism, but they are also common in children without autism. While significant speech delays are always a cause for concern, they are not inherently an autism trait and may be due to other issues, such as hearing loss.

Do autism and ADHD share any signs & symptoms? Well, yes. For instance, children with ADHD may seem hyperfocused on a subject for a short span, and children with ASD may also have a hyperfocused interest in one subject or object. In both cases, ADHD and ASD children may exhibit signs of speech delay.

The research showed that greater amounts of screen time were associated with a higher likelihood of developmental delays in communication. Take a look at the numbers: With up to 2 hours of daily screen time at age 1, children were 61% more likely to have communication delays at age 2.

It is when there is consistent regression, setbacks in engagement, or disconnection in understanding verbal language that there is reason to suspect a speech delay. Around the age of 1.5 to 2 years, it is recommended that a diagnosis of delays and disorders is made and intervention is begun.

Order a hearing test and refer you to a speech and language therapist for testing. The therapist will evaluate your child's speech (expressive language) and ability to understand speech and gestures (receptive language). Refer your child for evaluation through an early intervention program.

What age do late talkers catch up? ›

Children who present as late talkers tend to catch up to their peers by the ages of 3-5 years old, but could be at risk for developing later language or literacy difficulties, or even mental health needs.

For toddlers, you may be able to identify the signs of “late talking” around 15 months. If they haven't said their first words by then, children at this age could be considered speech delayed.

Who is a “Late Talker”? A “Late Talker” is a toddler (between 18-30 months) who has good understanding of language, typically developing play skills, motor skills, thinking skills, and social skills, but has a limited spoken vocabulary for his or her age.

People who are not familiar with your child should also be able to understand them. Your child should be able to articulate their needs and construct short sentences. The inability to choose words and put them together in sentences is a sign of language delay. Another sign is when they leave out words in sentences.

They may simply be a late bloomer. A speech delay can also be caused by hearing loss or underlying neurological or developmental disorders. Many types of speech delay can be effectively treated. Continue reading to learn the signs of a speech delay in toddlers, early interventions, and how you can help.

Delays can also run in families. Sometimes the cause is not known. If your child doesn't develop speech and language skills on schedule, it may not mean there is a problem. But if your child is having problems, talk with your doctor.

Some of the signs of a literacy delay may include: Difficulties learning letters or phonics. Difficulties reading words and sentences in books. Difficulties understanding what has been read.

Common symptoms of a language delay include: not babbling by the age of 15 months. not talking by the age of 2 years. an inability to speak in short sentences by the age of 3 years.

Birth and older: Doesn't interact with others or doesn't smile. Ages four through seven months: Doesn't babble. Seven months to two years: Doesn't understand what other people are saying. Seven months to 12 months: Makes only a few gestures (i.e. pointing) or sounds.