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How to determine if your child needs speech therapy

January 31, 2021

Babies usually say their first word by the time they turn 1 year. By 18 months, they know how to say 20 words. Similarly, by the age of 2, children are able to understand more than 300 words. However, not every child learns at this pace and some could be slow in developing the skill. Such children can benefit enormously from speech therapy.

When does your child need a visit to the speech therapist? 

For an individual to have perfect speech, they should be able to merge voice, articulation, and fluency perfectly. 

  • Voice:Use of vocal folds and breath to make sounds
  • Articulation: Use of mouth, tongue, and lips in sync to produce certain sounds
  • Fluency: Use of rhythm in speech

When someone has difficulty in either of these three aspects, they may show signs of speech defect. For instance, those who struggle with articulation may have an issue with pronouncing sounds like 'th' and 'r'. Someone who is struggling with fluency is more likely to stammer or stutter. Furthermore, those struggling with noise may be unable to talk at a consistent volume that is understandable. So, if your child has trouble with either of these three speech factors, then you may need to schedule an appointment with a speech therapist. 

The red flags

It may not be simple to detect when your child requires a speech therapist. The need is determined by the number of words your baby can utter, number of sounds they understand, and the clarity of their speech. Here are some red flags which you cannot ignore in your toddler:

  1. Your child can say fewer than 20 words by the time he/she is 18 months old. 
  2. Your child can say less than 50 words by the time he/she turns 2 years old. 
  3. Your child can only use a few sounds, with which he/she pronounces all the words.
  4. Your child displays lack in understanding simple sentences like " Get your toy".
  5. Your child cannot combine different words and/or speak at an acceptable volume even after reaching 24 months. 

If you notice these red flags in your child, make sure to visit a speech therapist for assessment without much delay.