Speech Delay in Children: Signs, Causes, and What to Do
It’s completely natural for parents to worry when a child doesn’t seem to be reaching speech or communication milestones as expected. Do you let them follow their own timelines? Or should you seek support straight away?
A speech delay may mean a child is developing speech and language skills more slowly than expected for their age. It can affect how clearly a child speaks, the number of words they use, or how they combine words into sentences. Early support can make a big difference in helping your child catch up so that they feel confident communicating, playing, and connecting with others.
At Grow & Tell, our occupational therapists understand these concerns and work with families to build the foundational skills that support speech, language and communication. They can help you understand your child’s developmental patterns so you can feel reassured and informed about your next steps.
Understanding the Common Signs of Speech Delay
Every child is unique and develops at their own pace, so it’s common for milestones to vary from one child to another. As a parent, it can be reassuring to know what’s typical for each stage of development, especially when you’re wondering if your child might need a little extra support or not. Understanding these key milestones can help you notice possible signs of speech delay and feel more confident about when to reach out for guidance. Here’s a useful guide listing what most children are doing at each stage of early speech and language development:
By 12–18 Months
By this milestone, children can usually:
Use gestures like waving or pointing.
Make a variety of babbling sounds.
Respond to their name and simple instructions like “come here.”
Say one or two recognisable words such as “mama”, “dada’ or “bye.”
If your child isn’t yet doing one or more of these, speaking to one of our occupational therapists may help to identify a speech delay.
By 2 Years
By this milestone, children can usually:
Say around 50 or more words.
Begin to combine two words (e.g., “more milk,” “daddy go”’ no want”).
Follow simple two-step directions.
Communicate with parents through speech that is becoming clearer.
Speech is becoming easier for parents to understand, though not always clear.
Children at this age should be experimenting with language more actively. If your child’s speech is still very limited or hard to understand, support from a professional may help.
By 3 Years
By this milestone, children can usually:
Use short sentences of three or more words.
Be understood by unfamiliar adults most of the time.
Name common objects and actions.
Enjoy simple conversations and take turns speaking.
By this stage, most children are eager to talk and share ideas. If your child isn’t using sentences or is frequently misunderstood, it may be worth exploring why with our occupational therapists.
What Causes a Speech Delay? An OT's Perspective
There are many different reasons why a child might experience a speech delay. Some children may have hearing difficulties, while for others it might be developmental differences in understanding language. It may also be oral-motor challenges that make it more difficult for a child to coordinate the muscles used for speech.
A child’s ability to form sounds can also result from challenges with core strength, fine motor coordination, posture and sensory processing, as these can influence how a child learns to control their mouth, lips, and tongue to make sounds.
Our occupational therapists look beyond just speech itself. They will observe how a child moves, plays and interacts with others and in different environments to understand the child as a whole. From here, they can build on the foundational skills needed to support clear communication, confidence and connections with others.
Is My Child a 'Late Talker' or is it a Speech Delay?
It’s important to know that many toddlers are late talkers. This means that they begin speaking later than expected but often catch up on their own. However, some children with speech delay may need extra support to develop these skills. The key difference often lies in a child’s understanding (receptive language) and how they use gestures, such as pointing or waving, to communicate.
If your child understands what you say, follows instructions and engages through gestures, they may be a late talker and just need more time and encouragement to develop their words. On the other hand, if your child doesn’t seem to understand what you say and doesn’t use gestures to engage and express themselves, it could be a sign of a speech delay.
This is when early support can really help children build confidence and find their voice. Learn more about our speech pathology and occupational services in our FAQs.
How to Help a 'Late Talker' or Child with Speech Delay at Home
If you think your child may be a late talker and you’re wondering how you can help, here are a few simple strategies that you can start doing at home straight away:
Focus on modeling language: Repeat and expand on what your child says. For example, Child: “Ball”. Parent: “Yes, a big, red ball.”
Read together daily: Name and describe what you see in picture books together.
Comment on what your child is doing: Talk about what your child is doing instead of asking lots of questions.
Join in their play: While playing, talk about what’s happening.
Small, consistent interactions like this are an easy yet powerful way to create a rich language environment and to build your child’s confidence to communicate.
When to Start Speech Therapy and Seek Professional Advice
It's never too early to seek professional advice if you’re feeling worried. Parents often notice the earliest signs of a speech delay before anyone else, so trust your instincts. Early intervention can make a big difference in your child’s development by building the skills and confidence they need to communicate and connect.
In an initial consultation, one of our skilled therapists will assess your child’s communication, play and daily routines. This will help them provide your family with practical, tailored strategies to support their progress. Our team is here to help either through in-person sessions or through convenient Telehealth appointments.
Your Next Steps with Grow & Tell
Are you concerned that your child may have a speech delay? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Identifying signs and getting professional support early can make a lasting difference to your child’s development.
Contact our friendly team today to find out more about how we can help your child become more confident in their communication skills.
