A child who is talking later than expected may simply be following an individual developmental path, but some children benefit from earlier assessment and support.
What parents often notice
- A small spoken vocabulary compared with other children of a similar age
- Few word combinations
- Difficulty understanding instructions or questions
- Frequent frustration when trying to communicate
- Speech that is difficult for familiar adults to understand
Why early assessment can help
An assessment looks at more than word count. A speech-language therapist considers understanding, gestures, play, interaction, speech sounds and how the child communicates in everyday situations.
What you can do at home
Follow your child’s interests, use short clear phrases, name what they are looking at, repeat useful words naturally and allow time for a response without turning play into a test.
Seek professional advice promptly if your child has lost communication skills, seems not to hear consistently, or you have a strong developmental concern.