1. Solicit a Professional Evaluation
Before your child can begin to overcome speech delay, you should have that delay diagnosed. Some parents will evaluate their child's language by comparing it with other that of other children at peer level, which may create the illusion that the child's language is delayed when it isn't. Conversely, some parents falsely believe that their child is just a late bloomer and assume he will catch up. The only way to discover if your child has a language development problem is to have a proper evaluation done by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website can help you to find a certified SLP in your area.
Diagnosing a speech delay is not an exact science. Some children who demonstrate slow language development really are late bloomers who will develop normally eventually. Others may have diagnosable conditions like speech apraxia, in which children have difficulty coordinating their mouths. Take action if you notice an issue. There's no downside to getting your child extra help with speech skills from a qualified therapist, but employing the "wait and see" approach can be detrimental if there is a real developmental issue.
2. Embrace Early Intervention
The earlier a speech delay is diagnosed, the faster intervention can begin. The level of delay will indicate what treatment is prescribed, but some options can include at-home language stimulation exercises, occupational therapy or professional treatment programs. All states offer early intervention programs for children with disabilities such as language delays. For information about programs in your area, check out the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities website. Treatment courses are highly individualized for each child, so it is imperative to work with a qualified therapist. If you get your child the early help she needs, she probably will overcome her speaking issues if there are no other underlying problems.
3. Talk Often
The first thing any SLP will tell you is to talk to your child constantly. Because you are with your child a good deal of the time, you can continually encourage good speech habits. For young children, narrating what is going on around them will allow them to hear speech constantly. Playing word games, singing songs and reading books aloud are all excellent strategies to fill your child's world with language. If your child responds to your speech either verbally or non-verbally, reinforce that response positively. Don't force your child to speak or punish her for not speaking. Instead, adopt an encouraging posture and immerse your child in speech.
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