Beyond Words 

Speech and Language Therapy

When Should I Be Concerned?
 
Signs of a Language Disorder
  • Does not smile or interact with others (birth and older)
  • Does not babble (4-7 months)
  • Makes only a few sounds or gestures, like pointing (7-12 months)
  • Does not understand what others say (7 months-2 years)
  • Says only a few words (12-18 months)
  • Words are not easily understood (18 months-2 years)
  • Does not put words together to make sentences (1.5-3 years)
  • Has trouble playing and talking with other children (2-3 years)
  • Has trouble with early reading and writing skills (2.5-3 years)
  • Loses words or developmental skills at ANY age
 Signs of a Speech Sound Disorder
  • Says p, b, m, h, and w incorrectly in words (1-2 years)
  • Says k, g, f, t, d, and n incorrectly in words (2-3 years)
  • Produces speech that is unclear, even to familiar people (2-3 years)
 Signs of a Fluency Disorder
  • Struggles to say sounds or words (2.5-3 years)
  • Repeats first sounds of words—”b-b-b-ball” for “ball” (2.5-3 years)
  • Pauses a lot while talking (2.5-3 years)
  • Stretches sounds out—”f-f-f-f-farm” for “farm” (2.5-3 years)
 Signs of a Voice Disorder
  • Uses a hoarse or breathy voice
  • Uses a nasal-sounding voice

From Identify The Signs (www.identifythesigns.org)