It is the parent’s responsibility to be aware of each milestone that their child has accomplished. Babies go through milestones in the first couple of months. They start crawling, walking, and speaking. Language is a very important skill that a child needs to develop.
But when should you worry about the possibility of your child having a speech disorder? When is it time to start looking for speech therapy hong kong? If you have the same worries, read on to learn more about the signs that your child needs speech therapy.
No Babbling (4 to 7 Months)
Your baby should start to communicate with you at around this time. Their way is to try to babble. They would string together a couple of vowel-consonant sounds that some call ‘baby noises.’ Babies try to mimic the sounds that they hear around them. A baby who does not babble is a sign of a speech disorder.
Not Expressing Themselves Through Gestures (7 to 12 Months)
Babies will start to express themselves by making hand gestures, like waving or pointing. By now they should be able to speak a couple of words. And most often, they will make gestures to try to communicate with you. If you don’t see this in your child at 7 to 12 months old, it can be another sign that it’s time to start looking for a speech therapist.
Cannot Understand Your Verbal Requests (12 to 24 Months)
Babies at this age should now be able to understand your verbal request. They must show comprehension of your simple instructions. For example, they will turn if you call their name. If these simple requests are followed, or if they show that they don’t understand what you are saying, talk to a speech therapist. They can help diagnose your child’s development and assess if they need a speech therapist.
Problems With Social Interaction (1 to 2 Years)
Kids are always curious. Many of them are always eager to meet new faces. Even if they are shy, they should not have any problems interacting with others. By now they are already used to acknowledging gestures. At 1 to 2 years old, a child now speaks and understands about 1,000 vocabulary words. At this point, they should be able to combine at least two words or phrases.
If they do not seem to acknowledge when another child or adult is speaking to them, it could be a sign of a speech disorder. If you don’t see any development in your child, consider visiting a speech therapist.
Not Speaking in Sentences (By 3 Years Old)
At this age, the child should start talking in sentences. They should now be able to use 4 to 5 words to speak in sentences. Parents must understand at least 75% of what their child is saying. If they are still not able to do so, it could be a good sign that they need their speech and language skills checked.
Language skills are important for your child. But you have to remember that every child is unique. How your baby develops may be different from others. Yet if you have concerns, it is best to consult a speech therapist. Speech delays or disorders should not be taken for granted.
