by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: April 29, 2008   Last Updated: January 24, 2012

Children learn language at different rates. There are some benchmarks that can let you know if your child's development falls within the normal ranges of speech development. Early intervention and help when a child is displaying signs of a delay is readily available through your pediatrician who can refer you to speech therapy.

Many parents get overly concerned if a child chooses not to talk. It is important to look at the entire picture. If the child is a second child or later in the birth order, chances are they will speak later. They have siblings and parents to do their speaking and are often reluctant to use speech. If they can their point across and get the things they need, they may not feel the need to talk.

There are some warning signs of speech delay. If you child displays these issues you want to seek help.

12 to 18 months
*by 12 months if the child is not letting you know by some form of communication when he/she needs assistance with something
*by 12 months if the child is not making gestures like nodding the head or waving hands
*by 12 months the child isn't practicing using some consonants i.e. "buh" "puh"
*by 15 months can't say "dada" or "mama"
*by 15 months the child doesn't have a vocabulary of at least one to three words
*by 15 months the child doesn't respond in an appropriate understanding to words such as "bye-bye" and "no"
*by 16 months the child doesn't make an attempt to point to body parts when asked i.e. "Show me your nose."
*by 18 months if the child doesn't have a vocabulary of at least six to ten words

If there is just one or two things not happening, it probably is not worth an extra appointment to the doctor.

What can you do at this early age to encourage speech and language skills? Looking at books and pointing out objects. Talking and singing with the child. Playing games that include making sounds i.e. "What does the train say?" "What does the cow say?" You may be helping them with responses, but they understand the process of communication. They are learning language skills even if they are not participating with speech.

19 to 24 months
*between 19 and 20 months if the child is not pointing out things of interest, balls, trees, animals etc. there may be a problem
*by 20 months if the child isn't making at least six consonant sounds
*by 21 months if the child does not follow simple directions
*by 24 months if the child can not point to pictures in a book as the reader names them
*by 24 months if the child doesn't know the functions of common household items they have seen and used
*by 24 months if the child doesn't mimic others actions
*by 24 months if the child isn't putting together two word phrases

Obviously language development doesn't happen by itself. Spending time with the child and communicating is a big part of speech development. Reading books, predicting outcomes, talking about daily activities are all part of speech development.

*at 30 months if the child can't name at least three body parts
*at 30 months if no one else in the family is able to understand the child's speech
*at 36 months if the child isn't asking questions
*at 36 months if most strangers can not understand what the child is saying

These are your major warning signs. Use it as check list to see of you need to have a visit with your pediatrician.

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