Does My Child Need Speech Therapy? Recognizing the Signs

Knowing when to reach out to your local speech therapist can be a decision filled with worry and many unanswered questions. At Verse, we understand how this could make you feel, and we want to give you some signs to look out for when it comes to your child’s communication development.

While all children develop at their own pace, this article will help clarify what’s typical, what might be a red flag, and when to consider an evaluation. As always, please talk with your PCP or healthcare provider when making decisions about speech therapy and communication development.

Understanding Speech and Language Development

Speech and language describe two separate entities that address specific aspects of communication.

• Speech includes articulation (how sounds are formed), fluency (flow of speech), and voice.
• Language includes both receptive (understanding) and expressive (using) words and sentences.

This distinction is important as it can help you determine if your child has difficulties in one or both areas.

Developmental Speech and Language Milestones by Age

There are several milestones that you can follow to determine if your child is utilizing specific skills. These are not hard rules, but missing multiple milestones or showing consistent delays across stages may indicate a need for support.

Birth to 12 Months

Within the first 12 months, infants can show many degrees of communicative intent, including but not limited to:

• Making cooing and babbling sounds as early forms of vocal play.
• Reacting to sounds and familiar voices (turning head toward a sound, smiling when spoken to).
• Imitating basic sounds or facial expressions.
• Beginning to communicate needs through crying, gestures, or vocalizing intentionally.

12 to 24 Months

Toddlers typically begin using their first words around 12 months and progress rapidly from there. Development can include:

• By 18 months, many children have a vocabulary of around 10–20 words.
• By 24 months, they often start combining two words into short phrases (e.g., “want toy”).
• They should also follow simple instructions and point to familiar objects when named.

2 to 3 Years

From 24 to 36 months, communication growth involves the various components of language and speech developing to more complex stages, such as:

• Vocabulary grows rapidly, and the child begins forming three to four-word sentences.
• Inclusion of grammatical structures such as past tense, present progressive, and possessives.
• Asking ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions
• Recalling simple daily routines like snack time, going to bed, or playing with a toy
• Speech becomes more understandable to family members, though it still may include some sound errors.
• Children start answering basic questions and engaging in short conversations.

3 to 4 Years

Preschoolers’ speech and language become much more refined as their communication continues to develop in an academic setting:

• They speak in full sentences (4+ words) and can be understood by unfamiliar listeners most of the time.
• They understand and use concepts like “big vs small” or “under vs over.”
• They recognize symbols and signs such as “STOP”, street lights, and safety symbols.
• Understands and utilizes prepositions and articles in their speech.
• They ask lots of questions and can hold back-and-forth conversations.

Signs That It’s Time to Seek a Professional Evaluation

While individual differences are normal, some communication struggles may indicate the need for an expert evaluation.

Speech-Related Signs

Trouble forming sounds clearly, frequent mispronunciations, or speech that’s difficult for even familiar listeners to understand may be cause for concern.

Language-Related Signs

Limited vocabulary, trouble combining words into sentences, or difficulty understanding and following directions may be signs of language-related difficulties.

Social and Behavioral Signs

Your child may experience frustration with communication, avoid speech, or not engage socially if they feel they cannot communicate effectively.

If you have any doubts or feel your child is not effectively communicating their wants and needs, you may want to explore the possibility of a speech and language evaluation with a licensed speech therapist.

What to Expect During a Speech-Language Evaluation

Speech and language evaluations are designed to be comfortable, playful, and informative. The SLP you work with will use a variety of tools and measures to gain an accurate picture of your child’s communication abilities. These can include:

• A case history discussion is needed to understand the child’s background and concerns.
• Standardized and informal assessments of receptive and expressive language, articulation, and more.
• Observations of communication during structured and unstructured play.
• A final discussion of results and recommended next steps.

How Verse Therapy Supports Your Child’s Communication Journey

When it comes to speech and language concerns, working with a licensed speech-language pathologist can play a vital role in rebuilding your communication skills. At Verse, we partner with the leading experts in the speech therapy world who offer individualized and meaningful care for your child’s speech and language needs. Your Verse-approved therapists will work around your schedule and help you build consistency, confidence, and encouragement on your therapy journey.

Take the First Step Toward Confident Communication

Ensuring your child meets all their communication milestones can be a complex and confusing process. A speech therapist can empower you and your child to build clear communication skills that will help them be successful in the long run. Early intervention can build confidence, reduce frustration, and set up your child for future success. Contact Verse for a free consultation and set your child up for success!