The pattern of speech and language development for most children is uneven. Children will present with a wide range of normal atypical speech language communication skills, as they move along the path of development. Therefore, knowing when to refer a child to speech and language therapy can difficult and often not necessary. However, there is a very small percentage of children who present with persistent atypical signs of speech, language and communication. Here are a few helpful observations parents and teachers can make, if they are concerned about their child speech and language skills.
Understanding Spoken Language Skills
8-12 months
- Not interested in human voice
- Does not join in turn-taking games such as peek-a-boo
- Does not understand use of common objects e.g. cup, spoon etc…
- Does not follow speech in context with gestures e.g. ‘no’, ‘bye-bye’
12-18 Months
- Only understands a few single words
- Does not follow simple, everyday instructions e.g. ‘get your coat
2.5 Years- 3 years
Does not understand two words joined together e.g. “give the cup to teddy”
3 Years +
- Does not understand short sentences e.g. “put teddy under the table”
- Does not understand concepts such as big and little
Spoken Language Skills
8-12 months
- Does not vocalise apart from crying
- Does not respond to carer by smiling or eye contact
- Does not attend to carer’s voice
12 months -18th months
- Does not babble or use sounds to represent objects e.g. ‘brrm-brrm’ for car
- Does not locate source of sound
- Relies on pointing to indicate need
18 months-30 months
- Using jargon and few or no single words
- Echoes whole phrases or the last word heard
- Frustration or disinterest in communicating
2.5 years to 3 years
- Limited vocabulary
- Stereotyped language (receptive phrases not relevant to situation)
3 Years +
- Immature grammar- sentences not developing
- Words omitted or in wrong order
- Increased frustration shown in challenging behaviours /reduced social interaction
Speech Sounds
8 months-30 months
- Only uses vowel sounds (a,e,i,o,u)
- Concerns about hearing
- Excessive dribbling
- Problem with chewing
2.5 years-3 years
- Only uses a few consonant sounds
- Consonant used only at the beginning/ends of words
3 Years +
- Speech cannot be understood by strangers
- Mainly uses sounds made at the front of the mouth e.g. b,p, d
Fluency/ stammering (For all under five’s)
- Child repeat sounds or part words
- Family history of stammering
- Child prolongs or stretches sound
- Parental concern
- Child struggles to speak
- Child aware, frustrated, upset or withdrawn
- Additional behaviours (blinking, body movements etc..)
- Inappropriate handling of difficulties/parent- child interaction
- Teasing or bullying
For ideas around how to support early child language development and developing early language skills or to read more around speech language communication skills policy