6 Signs When To Worry About Speech Delay In Toddlers

When do children typically start talking? If you notice that a 2-3-year-old child is significantly behind their peers in speech, relies more on gestures and facial expressions to communicate, and knows only 15-20 words instead of the expected 700-1000 words at this age, it may be time to evaluate them for speech delay. Read this article to understand the reasons behind a child's lack of speech and learn when to start worrying about toddlers’ speech delay.

6 signs of speech delay in toddlers

The human body is a complex mechanism. When one element fails, other parts compensate for the deficiency. In the case of speech being delayed in childhood, a kid often quickly adopts alternative ways to communicate with the world. A preliminary diagnosis can be made during the first consultation with a specialist. Here are six signs to watch for:

1. Excellent comprehension of spoken language

Sometimes, a child understands everything but struggles to speak. To assess how a child comprehends adult speech, give them various tasks and ensure they perform them correctly. For example, ask them to bring a ball, give you a toy bear, put a doll in a stroller, or find a house in a picture.

2. Responsive to their name

When you call the child by their name, they turn their head and make eye contact. A child understands that adults are addressing them and willingly responds by approaching them.

Also: 10 Ways to Teach a Child to Talk

3. Good auditory skills

A child can distinguish whispered words well. To test their skills further, go beyond simple names or phrases and provide tasks similar to the ones described earlier. If the child understands and follows these instructions, it demonstrates their high intellectual potential and can contribute to improving the speech of a child.

4. Developed auditory attention

A child easily recognizes everyday sounds such as the hum of a fridge, the roar of a motorcycle, or the sound of a doorbell. They can pinpoint the source of these sounds and distinguish between different voices, especially those of individuals in their inner circle. During a game of "Name the Object from the Picture," the child accurately identifies the named object.

5. High cognitive development

Speech delay necessitates special conditions for obtaining information from the outside world. Unable to ask questions, a child uses any means available to get the desired answer. They may take an adult by the hand, lead them to an object of interest, point at it with their finger, and make it clear that they want an explanation of what it is and how it is used.

6. Utilization of alternative communication methods

To capture an adult's attention, a child with language delay may approach them, take their hand, pull their clothes, or turn the adult's face toward them or the desired direction. They also rely on facial expressions and gestures to express their emotions, such as fear, annoyance, joy, or delight.

Also: How to Talk to Toddlers: 7 Simple Ways to Make Them Listen

What causes language delay in children

 Causes of language delay in children can be attributed to internal or external factors.

Internal factors include:

1. Hereditary diseases: For example, deafness, muteness, abnormalities in the tongue, or other oral cavity issues. If one or both parents experienced speech delay in childhood, there is a higher likelihood of similar speech problems in the child. Speech problems are also more commonly inherited from fathers.

2. Intrauterine hypoxia: Pregnancy conditions directly affect the unborn child's health. Fetal hypoxia can lead to malfunctions in the central nervous system, potentially impacting a baby's speech development.

3.  Mental disorders and conditions that cause accelerated speech, such as Down syndrome and autism.

4. Motor and sensory alalia: This condition prevents a child from mastering articulation movements, remembering the sequence of sounds within words and sentences, and automatically adjusting the position of lips, tongue, and other speech apparatus organs to produce the necessary sounds.

5. Endocrine pathologies: Children with diabetes, obesity, and abnormal growth patterns are at higher risk.

6. Speech therapy issues: These include lisping, stuttering, and rhinolalia.

It is worth considering if you are thinking about how to fix speech delay.

External factors include

External factors, although less diverse, can also contribute to language delay. These factors often involve an unfavorable social environment, parents with various addictions, or frequent and severe stress. Bilingualism, which is not considered a primary cause of language delay by many doctors, can also cause language delay in a child. I. Even in the absence of negative factors, bilingual children may start speaking later due to the complexity of language systems and the additional cognitive load required to process multiple languages.

Parents should avoid panicking if their one-year-old child has not yet begun to speak. Concerns about speech problems in a one-year-old are only warranted if there are delays in overall development or suspicions of hearing or vision impairments.

How to help a child with language delay

When you think of how to improve speech in a child with language delay, remember that some children may start speaking spontaneously without significant effort from parents or the involvement of specialists. This "speech explosion" often occurs during periods of rest, such as summer breaks, when children have time to recharge and strengthen their bodies with essential vitamins. However, in cases where language delay in a child persists, a push may be required to encourage speech development. This can involve positive and engaging events or game-based sessions led by speech therapists.

Here are some recommendations to consider, how to fix speech delay:

1. Sing lullabies to your baby from infancy 

Calming songs at bedtime help develop phrasal speech and foster a strong connection between images and their verbal descriptions.

2. Engage in frequent conversations with your child 

Avoid using baby talk, distorting words, or unnecessary diminutive forms. For example, say "cup" instead of "cuppy," but it is acceptable to say "puppy" instead of "pup." Use descriptive language, such as "fast train," "red flower," or "tall tree."

3. Establish a primary language within the family

 If you observe language delay in your child, it is advisable to postpone bilingual experiments until they overcome their speech problems.

4. Limit pacifier use

Similar to extended breastfeeding, prolonged pacifier use can negatively impact a child's speech development. It is recommended to use pacifiers only in specific situations when the child is upset or sick, rather than relying on it all the time. Prolonged pacifier use can also affect dental alignment, potentially requiring orthodontic treatment in the future.

5. Minimize screen time

For typical 2-3-year-old children, it is recommended to limit screen time to no more than 15 minutes per day. In the case of language delay, any screen can be a potential hindrance to speech development. Screens provide passive information consumption, which can overload the child's nervous system, hinder cognitive development, and contribute to a dependence on visual and auditory stimuli.

Also: 15 Fun Indoor Games for Kids Aged from 1 to 6 Years

6. Embrace nature

 Expose your child to the outdoors and spend time in natural environments. The countryside offers a plethora of interesting sounds, such as buzzing bees, rustling leaves, and murmuring streams. Connecting with the sounds of nature provides a natural and beneficial stimulation for the brain. Additionally, being outdoors and consuming a diet enriched with natural foods and vitamins can positively impact overall health, strengthen immunity, and provide the necessary energy for speech development.

The good news for parents of children with speech delay is that, with a comprehensive approach involving doctors, educators, and parents, along with regular practice at home and a supportive family environment, the prognosis is optimistic.