If you’re reading this because your gut says something is off with your kid’s speech, trust the gut. Early evaluation is free in most places and rarely regretted.
What counts as a delay
Rough benchmarks: by 12 months, a few words and clear babbling; by 18 months, 15-20 words and pointing; by 2 years, two-word combinations; by 3 years, intelligible to strangers about 75% of the time. Range is wide, but sustained gaps are worth looking at.
How it’s evaluated
Under age 3: Early Intervention (free, publicly funded in most U.S. states). Ages 3 and up: your school district’s early childhood special education program. Private speech-language pathologists are another path and often faster. Your pediatrician can make the referral.
What to do while you wait
Talk more, narrate daily life, read out loud, limit background TV, wait for your kid to try before prompting, model rather than drill. Speech therapists will coach you on specific techniques.
Questions worth asking
- Which benchmarks is my kid behind on, and by how much?
- Should we start with Early Intervention or a private SLP?
- Are you recommending a hearing test?
- When do we reassess?
- Is there anything that makes you want to look at broader developmental screening?
What to watch for
Loss of words, loss of eye contact, loss of social engagement, or new concerns about hearing. Bring them up quickly.
How VisitRecall fits in
Track words over time, therapist recommendations, and follow-ups in the health journal. Keep both parents aligned via family profiles, and start at parents hub.
FAQ
Should we wait and see?
If you’re unsure, get the evaluation. Waiting costs more than evaluating.
Bilingual kids and speech delay — the same standards?
Total vocabulary across both languages should meet typical benchmarks. Bilingualism itself doesn’t cause delay.
Will Early Intervention label my kid?
It’s a services program, not a diagnosis. Many kids catch up and age out by 3.
