Delayed Speech in Children: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding delayed speech in children, possible causes, and when to seek assessment and speech and language therapy.
Delayed speech is one of the most common early developmental concerns, and can occur in isolation or alongside other developmental conditions, making timely assessment important.
Possible Causes
- Isolated speech and language delay
- Hearing difficulty
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Global Developmental Delay
- Bilingual environment (which can cause temporary, typically resolving delay)
When to Seek Assessment
Assessment is recommended if a child has no words by 16 months, no two-word phrases by 24 months, or shows a loss of previously acquired language at any age, since early intervention improves outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I wait to see if my child catches up?
Early assessment is recommended rather than waiting, since early intervention has the strongest evidence for improving speech and language outcomes.
Expert Care
Dr. Muhammad Shoaib Zafar provides prompt assessment of speech delay, ensuring timely access to effective intervention.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and does not replace an individual psychiatric assessment.
Common signs & symptoms
- No words by 16 months
- No two-word phrases by 24 months
- Limited vocabulary for age
- Difficulty being understood by familiar adults
- Loss of previously acquired language
Treatment approach
- → Developmental and hearing screening
- → Speech and language assessment
- → Referral for speech and language therapy
- → Broader developmental assessment where indicated
Frequently asked questions
Should I wait to see if my child catches up?
Early assessment is recommended rather than waiting, since early intervention has the strongest evidence for improving speech and language outcomes.