It isn’t always easy to know if your child’s speech errors are just a part of normal development or something to be concerned about.

A delay in communication development isn’t aways obvious. The early phases of a speech or language disorder is easier to identify if you know the signs

A good rule of thumb, a child who is 4 years old should be understood by those outside the family about 90% of the time. If your child is easily frustrated when they try to communicate or is often asked to repeat themselves, it may be time for an evaluation by a speech therapist.

Early intervention is important to prevent long term communication issues. The earlier a child receives support the easier it is for them to build a lifetime of effective communication. Benefits can include increased intelligibility, improved social confidence, stronger academic participation, reduced frustration, and enhanced self-esteem.

American Speech Language Hearing Association, Identify the Signs of speech and language disorders for children.

Children: Signs of a Language Disorder

Does not smile or interact with others (birth and older)
Does not babble (4–6 months)
Makes only a few sounds or gestures, like reaching (7–9 months)
Does not understand what others say (10 months – 2 years)
Says only a few words (19 months – 2 years)
Does not put words together to make sentences (19 months – 3 years)
Speaks using words that are not easily understood by others (3–4 years)
Has trouble with early reading skills, like pretending to read or finding the front of a book (4–5 years)

Children: Signs of a Speech Sound Disorder

Says p, b, m, h, and w incorrectly in words (2–3 years)
Says k, g, f, t, d, and n incorrectly in words (3–4 years)
Produces speech that is unclear, even to familiar people (2–3 years)

Children: Signs of Stuttering (Disfluency)

Repeats first sounds of words—“b-b-b-ball” for “ball”
Stretches sounds out—“ffffff-farm” for “farm”
Shows frustration when trying to get words out

Children: Signs of a Voice Disorder

Loss of voice
Uses a hoarse or breathy voice
Speaks with strain and effort

If you have any questions or concerns about your child, we encourage you to contact Orlando’s First Words Therapy. We take a holistic approach to speech-language-therapy to help your child communicate more effectively.