10 Signs Your Child Might Need Speech Therapy (and When to Get Support)

As parents, it’s natural to wonder if your child’s speech and language development is on track. Some kids start talking early, while others take more time. Both can be normal. But in some cases, difficulties with communication can signal that your child may benefit from speech therapy.

Here are 10 common signs to look out for, plus guidance on when to seek professional support.

1. Limited Vocabulary for Their Age

By age 2, most children use around 50 words. If your child’s vocabulary seems very limited, or they’re not adding new words regularly, it may be worth checking in.

2. Limited Gestures or imitation of actions and sounds

Speech isn’t just about words. Before children learn to talk, they communicate in other ways. These early communication skills, known as prelinguistic skills, include using gestures, imitating actions and sounds, responding to others and more. If your child is not demonstrating these prelinguistic skills, then they may be having difficulty expressing themselves.

3. Struggling to Put Words Together

Between 2 and 3 years, children usually begin combining words into short phrases like “more juice” or “go park.” If your child is still only using single words well past this stage, it may indicate that support is needed.

4. Not Following Simple Instructions

If your child struggles to follow everyday directions like “get your shoes” or “point to the dog,” it may suggest a delay in understanding language, not just speaking it.

5. Difficulty Pronouncing Sounds

It’s expected for young children to mispronounce words up until a certain age, but if your child is hard to understand compared to their peers, or avoids certain sounds altogether, a speech pathologist can help.

6. Frustration Around Talking

Kids who can’t get their message across may become frustrated, withdrawn, or demonstrate challenging behaviours. This can be a sign they need extra support.

7. Stuttering or Repeating Sounds

Some stuttering is normal around ages 2 to 5 as children’s language grows rapidly. But if stuttering is frequent, long-lasting, or causing frustration, early support is best.

8. Regression in Speech

If your child suddenly loses words or communication skills they previously had, seek professional advice right away.

9. Concerns From Others

Sometimes teachers, carers, or family members notice communication challenges first. If others are struggling to understand your child, it’s worth exploring further.

10. Difficulty connecting with others

If your child struggles to connect with others or build or maintain friendships, they may benefit from support from a speech pathologist to build their social language skills and confidence.

When to Seek Support

Every child develops at their own pace, but if you’re worried, don’t wait. Early intervention makes a big difference. A speech pathologist can assess your child’s strengths, identify any challenges, and create a fun, child-led plan to help them thrive.

This list covers common areas we support at Better Together Therapy, but speech pathologists can help with other aspects too. Our speech pathologists work closely with families to make communication fun, engaging, and stress-free. If you’re concerned about your child’s speech, contact us today.