Children's speech develops at different rates. Some kids are very articulate by the time they're starting playgroup, whereas others are still struggling to string sentences together coherently. But how slow to start speaking is too slow, and when should you take your toddler to see a speech therapist for more advice? Read on for some helpful information.
Guessing games
It is quite usual for toddlers from around 18 months to three years of age to have problems with pronouncing words and putting sentences together. This can result in many highly entertaining guessing games as you try to work out exactly what your child is actually trying to say.
Common mispronunciations include:
Some kids even experience these problems right up until they are five or six years of age. However, if your toddler's speech doesn't improve over time, remains muddled and is not always understandable after the age of about four, there could be an issue that a speech therapist can help to address.
Signs of more serious problems
If the problem is more than simple pronunciation difficulties, and your child doesn't speak or speaks very little, this could indicate a more serious problem. You should seek medical advice immediately if your child is doing any of the following:
Any or all of these examples could indicate that your child has a problem with their hearing or cognitive function, rather than their speech. Always seek urgent professional medical advice in these circumstances.
In conclusion
Kids develop speech at different rates. If you have concerns about your child's speech development, consult your doctor in the first instance to rule out medical problems. Your GP will refer your child to a speech therapist like those at communiKIDS if necessary.
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