Does my child need speech therapy?
It’s important to remember that all children develop at different rates.
Baby – 3 to 12 months
Your little one might need a bit of help if at 12 months they’re:
Not responding to noises or voices
Not enjoying interacting with others
Not engaging in turn-taking activities.
Not babbling or making vocal sounds.
Not turning to look when people show something interesting.
Toddler – 1 to 3 years
You may like to seek further advice if your child displays the following:
At 2 years:
Says less than 50 words
Does not use 2-word phrases
Cannot follow simple directions or answer questions
Has no interest in other children
Uses limited pretend play with toys
Speech is very unclear
An unfamiliar listener should be able to understand about half of what they say by 2 years.
At 3 years
Has trouble communicating in short phrases
Doesn't understand what others are saying to him/her
Not sustaining interactions or having simple conversations
Not imitating social behaviours during play
pretending to talk on telephone, feeding doll/teddy
Speech is very unclear
unfamiliar listener should understand most of what they say
Preschooler – 3 to 5 years
Your child has very unclear speech.
They have difficulty following instructions.
Your child appears to have difficulty hearing you.
They are not interested in playing with other children.
Their development appears to be behind other children their age.
Who can help?
A Speech Pathologist
Your Child Health Nurse
Your GP
A Paediatrician