Does my child need speech therapy?

There are many factors to consider when deciding if your child should see a licensed speech-language pathologist or speech therapist for concerns regarding communication. Some factors to consider are age, developmental history, current development (especially if they are 12–18 months of age), and medical history. Let’s break it down!

Age Matters

Children develop communication skills at different rates, but there are general milestones that can help parents know what to expect. For example, by around 12 months, many children are using gestures, babbling, and attempting to communicate their wants and needs. As they get older, we expect to see growth in their understanding, vocabulary, and ability to combine words.

If your child seems significantly behind their peers or has stopped making progress, it may be worth talking with a speech-language pathologist.

Consider Their Overall Development

Speech and language development doesn’t happen in isolation. Think about how your child is communicating in other ways, too. Are they pointing, making eye contact, responding to their name, following simple directions, or trying to get your attention?

For children between 12–18 months, looking at the whole picture is especially important. A child who isn't saying many words but is using gestures, understanding language, and making steady progress may have different needs than a child who is showing delays across several areas.

Developmental & Medical Histories

A child’s developmental and medical history can provide important clues. Prematurity, frequent ear infections/hearing concerns, developmental delays in other areas, or certain medical diagnoses can all influence communication development.

When in doubt, it’s okay to ask for an evaluation! A speech-language pathologist can assess your child’s communication skills and help determine whether therapy is appropriate—or simply provide reassurance and strategies to support development at home.

Trust Your Gut

You know your child best. If something about their communication development concerns you, you don't have to “wait and see” on your own. A conversation with a pediatrician or licensed speech-language pathologist can help you understand what you're seeing and what steps, if any, should come next.

Early support can make a meaningful difference, and asking questions is always a good place to start.