When Should I Be Concerned About My Child’s Speech? A Parent’s Guide
As a parent, it's completely natural to wonder if your child is hitting their developmental milestones on time—especially when it comes to speech and language. Every child grows at their own pace, but there are some general guidelines that can help you know when it might be time to seek support.
Let’s walk through what typical speech development looks like and some signs that it might be time to reach out to a speech-language pathologist (SLP).
📌 First, What’s “Typical”?
While no two kids are exactly the same, here’s a quick breakdown of speech and language milestones to watch for:
🐣 By 12 Months
Babbles with a variety of sounds (e.g., “ba-ba,” “da-da”)
Responds to their name
Tries to imitate sounds
Uses gestures like waving or pointing
👶 By 18 Months
Says around 10–20 words (though this can vary!)
Understands simple directions like “come here”
Points to familiar objects or people when named
👧 By 2 Years
Says at least 50 words
Begins to combine words (“more juice,” “mama go”)
Is understood by familiar adults about 50% of the time
👦 By 3 Years
Speaks in short sentences
Is understood by most people, even outside the family
Follows two-step directions (“get your shoes and bring them here”)
🚩 Signs It Might Be Time to Check In
If your child is not meeting some of these milestones, it doesn’t mean something is wrong—but it may be worth looking into. Here are some red flags to keep in mind:
Limited babbling or talking by 18 months
Not responding to their name or not seeming to listen
No use of gestures (like pointing or waving) by 12–15 months
Frustration or tantrums when trying to communicate
Speech that is very difficult to understand after age 3
Stuttering that lasts more than 6 months or worsens over time
Loss of speech or social skills they previously had
🤝 Trust Your Gut
You know your child best. If something feels off—even if your child is technically “within range”—it’s okay to ask questions. Early intervention can make a big difference, and sometimes just a screening can bring peace of mind.
There’s no harm in checking in with:
Your pediatrician
A licensed speech-language pathologist
Early intervention programs in your area
💡 What You Can Do in the Meantime
Whether or not your child ends up needing speech therapy, here are some simple things you can do to support their speech and language at home:
Talk, talk, talk! Narrate your day out loud to your child.
Read together daily, even if it’s just flipping through and naming pictures.
Pause and wait—give your child time to respond in conversation.
Imitate and expand. If your child says “car,” you can say, “Yes, a red car!”
❤️ Final Thoughts
If you’re reading this, you’re already doing the most important thing: caring and paying attention. Speech and language skills grow over time, and every child has their own journey. But if you're ever unsure, reaching out early is one of the kindest things you can do for your child—and for your own peace of mind.
