Children's Therapy
Early Signs of Speech Delay: What Every Parent Should Know
Dr. Aanya Kapoor · 6 min read
Parents are often the first to notice that something is a little different about how their child is talking. Trust that instinct. Early identification is one of the strongest predictors of good outcomes in speech and language therapy.
What to look for by age
By 12 months, most children babble, use gestures like waving, and respond to their name. By 18 months, we typically see a small vocabulary of single words. By 24 months, most children combine two words together and can be understood by familiar listeners about half the time.
When to consider an assessment
- Fewer than 20 words by 18 months
- No two-word combinations by 24 months
- Frequent frustration when trying to communicate
- Family history of language or literacy difficulties
The role of an online assessment
A structured online assessment with a specialist speech-language therapist can quickly identify whether your child is on track, whether to watch-and-wait, or whether targeted therapy would help. It is calm, play-based and family-friendly.