If you have noticed your child is not speaking as scheduled, there is no need to be alarmed. Speech and language development in children is progressive but the schedule of development is not strict. One child may speak slightly earlier and be more developed than another but it could just mean they are developing at a different pace and is to be expected.
While speech and language development may follow a progression, you should pay attention for a combination of these signs:
By 12-17 months:
- The child is not able to follow simple directions
- The child does not attempts to imitate full words
By 18-23 months:
- The child has a limited vocabulary of less than a dozen words.
- The child lacks familiarity with common objects and names.
By 2-3 years:
- The child lacks the ability to form phrases and short sentences.
- The child has not shown an ability or willingness to reply to simple questions.
Parents, care givers, and educators should also look out for certain signs the child may have a speech disorder.
The child is not socialising: Babies and toddlers from as young as a year old will usually try to make contact and interact with people around them. If the child consistently does not interact with other people even when people try to interact with them, parents need to take note.
The child’s vocalising is limited: By the age of 18 months to 2 years old, the child should be able to clearly vocalise words that adults can understand.
The child struggles with words: By the age of 2 years old, the child should be able to speak a variety of words and even combine words together. By the age of 3, the child should be able to vocalise more clearly and string words together without much effort.
Considering the developmental milestones, if your child is also displaying these signs, you should have a doctor or professional assess if the child does have speech and language delays. Keep in mind that children develop at different rates and often, perfectly normal things may appear an issue if we don’t look at them objectively and with some understanding of the child.
Even if your child does have speech and language delays, proper assessment and treatment are very effective to correcting the delays.
Join us at College of Allied Educators to see how you can develop an understanding of the different types of exceptional children, their needs, and the different special needs programmes and specialties that are available to you, for them.
CAE’s 12-month Advanced Diploma in Special Education course trains educators and parents in the identification, diagnosis and treatment of these needs and the basic principles and practices of effective teaching and learning. The programme is highly practice-oriented to ensure that what you learn in class can be applied to children with special needs under your charge.
CAE’s Diploma in Learning Disorders Management & Child Psychology programme is designed specifically to train potential teachers, parents and caregivers to identify, detect and support children with special needs, such as Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyspraxia, and Dyslexia.
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