Identify the Signs of Communication Disorders

The following are signs of common speech and language disorders in children between birth to 4 years of age, an important stage in early detection of communication disorders.

Warning Signs of Communication Disorders

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)

*Early reading and writing skills include:
8 months–1 year: Likes to hear you talk and read; looks at pictures in books when you read
1–2 years: Makes sounds or words when looking at pictures in books; points or touches pictures in books when you name them; turns pages in books
2–3 years: Knows that books have a front and back; enjoys books that have rhymes; points to and names many pictures in books

What Parents Can Do

• Listen and respond to your child
• Talk, read, and play with your child
• Talk with your child in the language you are most comfortable using
• Know it is good to teach your child to speak a second language
• Talk about what you are doing and what your child is doing
• Use a lot of different words with your child
• Use longer sentences as your child gets older
• Have your child play with other children

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)

What Parents Can Do

• Say the sounds correctly when you talk—it is okay if your child makes some mistakes with sounds
• Do not correct speech sounds—it is more important to let your child keep talking

Signs of Stuttering (Disfluency)

• 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)

What Parents Can Do

• Give your child time to talk
• Do not interrupt, stop, or tell your child to slow down while they are speaking
• See a certified speech-language pathologist if you are concerned

Signs of a Voice Disorder

• Uses a hoarse or breathy voice
• Uses a nasal-sounding voice

What Parents Can Do

• See a doctor if your child sounds hoarse or breathy
• Tell your child to avoid shouting and screaming
• Drink water throughout the day
• Include quiet time/voice rest during the day

Identify the Signs is a campaign sponsored by the  National Association for Hearing and Speech Action (NAHSA), the consumer affiliate of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The goal of the campaign is to educate the public about the warning signs of communication disorders. Speech, language, and hearing disorders are treatable and early detection is a major contributor to speedier recoveries, shortened treatment periods, and reduced costs for individuals and society.

Visit the Identify the Signs site to learn more about communication disorder warning signs and the steps parents can take to address them.

Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association | Know the Signs of Speech and Language Disorders,  https://identifythesigns.org/signs-of-speech-and-language-disorders | © 2013-2023 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Public awareness campaign, republished with permission.

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Do you have concerns about your child? We invite you to call our Care Coordinators at 650.688.3625 or email us at careteam@chconline.org to set up an initial Parent Consultation appointment.