Would you know if your child has a speech disorder? For most parents, their response is no. While symptoms of speech disorder can vary depending on child and specific speech condition, there are essential signs to each out for.

What is a speech disorder?

According to the American Speech Language Hearing Association, when a child is not able to produce speech sounds fluent or correctly, they may have a speech disorder. This can be during articulation, a distortion that interferes with your child’s intelligibility, stuttering, or a speech impediment. This could be speech sounds that are omitted, substituted, or added.

Children develop at different rates, but their speech should become more understandable as they age. It is important that a child shows continuous progression in their language skills.

Speech disorder warning signs according to ASHA

Birth – 3 Months: Not smiling or playing with others

4 – 7 Months: Not babbling

7 -12 Months: Making only a few sounds. Not using gestures, like waving or pointing

7 Months – 2 Years: Not understanding what others say

12 – 18 Months:  Saying only a few words

18 Months – 2 Years: not putting two words together

2 years: Saying fewer than 50 words

2 – 3 Years: Having trouble playing and talking with other children

2 – 3 years: Having problems with early reading and writing. For example, your child may not like to draw or look at books.

Kindergarten: Does not speak clearly enough so that most people understand what they say.

First Grade: Does not share ideas and retell stories in complete sentences. Or stay on topic and take turns in conversations.

Second Grade: Not able to ask or answer who, what, when, or where questions. Use complex sentences or give directions with 3 -4 steps.

Third Grade: Should be able to speak clearly, ask and answer questions, and be a part of conversations and group discussions.

Fourth Grade: Should be using words correctly in conversation, understand some figurative language, and organize information so it is clear.

Fifth Grade: Able to make planned speeches, summarize main points, and report about information in group activities.

Early intervention is key

If you feel your child is showing signs of speech or communication disorder, it is important to seek help from your pediatrician or a speech therapist.