Does my child need a speech and language therapist?

Children’s speech and language development can vary, but some early signs may indicate the need for assessment by a speech and language therapist.

If your child is between 12 and 24 months old, referral may be recommended if the child:

does not respond to their name,
uses only very limited words such as “mama” or “dada,”
does not use gestures to communicate, such as pointing,
or does not attempt to imitate words or gestures.

If your child is between 24 and 36 months old, they are generally expected to be able to:

use between 50 and 500 words,
understand simple questions such as “Who?” and “Where?”,
and begin to distinguish between basic concepts such as day and night.

Early assessment can help identify the child’s needs and provide appropriate support at the right time.