Speech Delays in Young Children

Your baby is growing up and starting to stand and cruise along the furniture or even walk. His first birthday may have passed a few months ago. You notice he may make some sounds but no actual words yet. Other children his age may be saying "mama" or "dada," and you are beginning to worry that your child is not talking. When is it a problem?

As parents, we read many books or article_temps telling us what our child should be able to do and by what age. Sometimes these are reassuring and sometimes they make you feel a pit in your stomach. Listen to that gut feeling---it will usually help you and your child.

Make an appointment to see your pediatrician first. You may be wrong about your child's language skills. Some words count even if they are not spoken clearly. Sometimes your child may be learning multiple languages and temporarily mixing up the words. On the other hand, the speech may be delayed due to hearing problems, which require testing. The newborn hearing screen does not tell us about all hearing problems. Speech is also a sign of social development and your child may be struggling with that. She may become frustrated and act out or just be very shy and introverted. Your pediatrician will help differentiate the actual cause.

If you or your pediatrician believes the speech delay is a sign that your child has autism, then seeking therapy early is the most important thing you can do. Getting caught-up with the diagnosis or the cause is not nearly as important as helping your child learn to speak and socialize.

Starting speech therapy as early as age 1 can make a huge difference in a child needing help. Therapy may be one-on-one with a speech therapist or may involve exposing your child to a more social world. This may be through community toddler classes such as art, music or dance, or may be in a preschool program. You can find help and services through your health insurer, city, county or state government, or through community organizations. Work with your pediatrician to find out what is available and then do whatever it takes to get as much therapy as possible. It will never hurt your child to have therapy but it is a great disservice to wait. Call your doctor today if you think your child is not speaking enough or is having any difficulties with speech.