Signs your Child Needs Speech Therapy

It’s every parent’s dream to hear their baby say their first word. Once they do, it’s only a matter of time before you start hearing the adorable babbling sentences. But what happens when your child hasn’t made a sound or what they say just doesn’t sound right?

While every child develops at their own pace, there are signs that your child could be experiencing a speech delay.

Here are a few signs from experts providing speech therapy services in Abington that your child may need speech therapy.

They’re Not Making Any Incoherent Sounds

Most babies often make noises and babble when they’re still infants. They usually start cooing and become more verbal around four months of age. However, it’s not uncommon for babies to start making sounds as late as eight months. Regardless, if your child has remained silent and isn’t making any type of cooing sounds, speech therapy may be needed.

Your Baby Isn’t Using Sentences to Speak

By the age of two, your baby should be able to form short sentences. They won’t be speaking as clearly as an older child would, however, their sentences should give you a general idea of what they’re talking about. If your child turns two and still isn’t using sentences to speak, this is a clear sign that speech therapy is necessary.

They’re Not Using Any Kind of Gestures

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, if your child isn’t using gestures to express their wants and needs, it may be due to speech delay. In the worst-case scenario, it might even be a speech disorder or issue with their hearing. Children usually start using gestures when they’re at least seven months old. Some children may start once they turn one. But any later than that may point to a possible issue.

It’s Difficult for Them to Produce Specific Sounds

Any child with a speech delay or disorder often have a hard time making a specific sound. A good example of this would be the “b” and “m” sounds. Children who are around the age of two may have problems making these sounds. Another example includes words that make the “f” or “g” sound, which is common among children going on the age of three.

A child who is two should be able to form their own sentences with little problem. If you notice your child is having a hard time making sounds when they talk, you may want to investigate further.

One of the most important milestones is hearing your child speak for the first time. But if they’re having difficulty doing so or not speaking at all, it could be due to an underlying problem. If you notice any of these signs, be sure to contact us to get help from professional speech therapists in Willow Grove.