Neurodevelopmental Disorders & Learning Differences

Delayed Speech in Children: Causes, Signs, and Therapy Options

Authored by: The DrSensory Editorial Team

Reviewed by: 🛡️ DrSensory Clinical Review Board

Last updated: June 2025

All medical content on this page has been reviewed and approved by licensed Doctors on the DrSensory Clinical Review Board. Our reviewers follow strict editorial standards and ensure alignment with current APTA guidelines, evidence-based practice, and orthopedic rehabilitation protocols.

What Is Delayed Speech?
Developmental Speech Milestones
Signs of Delayed Speech

14 min read

What Causes Speech Delays?
How Is Delayed Speech Diagnosed?
Therapy Options for Delayed Speech
What Can Parents Do at Home?
🧑‍⚕️ Find a Speech Therapist Near You
📣 Are You a Therapist Supporting Children With Language Disorders?
Frequently Asked Questions

Delayed Speech in Children: A Complete Guide for Parents & Caregivers

Delayed speech is one of the most common developmental concerns for toddlers and young children. When a child isn’t meeting speech milestones, it can raise questions about their development, learning, and social skills.

At DrSensory, we help families connect with certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs), and physical therapists (PTs) who are experts in early communication and developmental delays.

What Is Delayed Speech?

Delayed speech refers to when a child isn’t developing speech at the expected rate for their age. This can include:

Limited or no spoken words
Difficulty forming sentences
Trouble with articulation or clarity
Not using language to express needs or thoughts

It’s important to distinguish between speech delay and language delay.

Speech delay = difficulty producing speech sounds
Language delay = difficulty understanding or using words meaningfully

Children can experience one or both.

Developmental Speech Milestones

Typical Speech Milestone by Age:

Age	Expected Speech Skills
12 months	Babbles, says "mama/dada", responds to name
18 months	Uses 10-20 words, name objects
24 months	Says ~50 words, combines 2-word phrases
3 years	Asks simple questions, speak in sentences
4 years	Speech is mostly understood by others

If your child isn’t meeting these milestone, a speech evaluation is recommended.

Signs of Delayed Speech

No words by 15–18 months
Can understand language but struggles to speak
Inconsistent use of sounds
Difficulty imitating sounds or gestures
Frustration when trying to communicate
Limited variety of sounds or syllables

What Causes Speech Delays?

Speech delays can have many causes. These may include:

✅ Developmental or Neurological Factors

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Intellectual disabilities
Childhood apraxia of speech
ADHD or executive function difficulties

✅ Physical or Anatomical Factors

Hearing loss
Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia)
Oral-motor weakness
Chronic ear infections

✅ Environmental or Emotional Factors

Lack of verbal interaction or stimulation
Trauma or neglect
Excessive screen time with limited back-and-forth communication

How Is Delayed Speech Diagnosed?

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) conducts a comprehensive evaluation that may include:

Observation and play-based assessment
Speech sound analysis
Receptive and expressive language testing
Oral motor examination
Parent interview and developmental history

Early evaluation—often before age 3—is critical for better long-term outcomes.

Therapy Options for Delayed Speech

✅ Speech-Language Therapy (SLP)

Builds vocabulary, sound production, and sentence formation
Uses play, repetition, and modeling to build skills
May include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for nonverbal children
Parent coaching and home strategies

✅ Occupational Therapy (OT)

Supports sensory processing and self-regulation
Improves fine motor skills related to communication tools or gestures
Addresses feeding and oral-motor coordination, if related

✅ Physical Therapy (PT)

Supports postural control and coordination in children with co-occurring motor delays
Enhances body awareness and motor planning that may support speech production

What Can Parents Do at Home?

Your role in your child’s speech development is crucial. Try these strategies:

Talk constantly about what you’re doing or what your child sees
Use simple, clear language and repeat often
Encourage turn-taking in conversation
Limit screen time and increase interactive play
Read aloud daily with books that include repetition or rhyming
Celebrate attempts to communicate—even if they aren’t clear

🧑‍⚕️ Find a Speech Therapist Near You

Not all children who talk late will “grow out of it.” If you’re concerned, early action matters. At DrSensory, we make it easy to find qualified providers:

✅ Search for licensed SLPs, OTs, and PTs

✅ Filter by location, insurance, and specialty

✅ Access patient reviews, credentials, and teletherapy options

👉 Start Your Search for a Speech Therapist Now

📣 Are You a Therapist Supporting Children With Language Disorders?

📣 Are You a Therapist Who Supports Early Communication?

Join the DrSensory network and help families find your services. Showcase your:

Early intervention expertise
Certifications in PROMPT, Hanen, or DIR/Floortime
Experience working with toddlers, nonverbal children, or AAC users

👉 Add Your Practice to DrSensory

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When should I be concerned about delayed speech?

If your child has no words by 15–18 months or isn’t combining words by age 2, an evaluation by an SLP is recommended.

Can speech delay be a sign of autism?

Yes, although many children with speech delays do not have autism. An evaluation can help determine whether other developmental differences are present.

Is delayed speech the same as a language disorder?

Not exactly. Speech delay focuses on speech production, while a language disorder involves understanding and using language.

Do bilingual children talk later?

Bilingualism may temporarily affect speech timelines, but true delays affect both languages and may need therapy.

🔗 Related Pages on DrSensory

Speech Therapy for Toddlers

This page provides general educational content and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a licensed provider for diagnosis and treatment.

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