How to tell if your child needs speech therapy?

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve had a little voice in the back of your mind wondering, Is my child’s speech developing the way it should? First of all—you’re not alone. So many parents feel exactly the same way, and it’s completely normal to have questions (and even a little worry).

At Smalltalk Speech Therapy, we believe that every child develops at their own pace, but we also know that early support for our Albuquerque families can make a world of difference.

The good news?

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. There are some key milestones and signs that can help you determine whether a speech and language evaluation might be the next step.

Speech and Language Milestones to Watch

Here are some general guidelines for what to expect at different ages. Keep in mind that every child is unique, but these can be helpful benchmarks:

By 12 Months:

✅ Babbles and uses a variety of sounds (e.g., “ba-ba” or “da-da”)
✅ Responds to their name and simple words like “no” or “bye-bye”
✅ Uses gestures like pointing or waving
✅ Shows interest in communicating (even if it’s mostly through sounds and gestures)

🚩 What to watch for: Little to no babbling, lack of response to sound, or not using gestures

By 18 Months:

✅ Says at least 10-20 words (even if not perfectly clear!)
✅ Understands simple instructions like “give me the ball”
✅ Imitates words and gestures from adults
✅ Points to familiar objects when named

🚩 What to watch for: Less than 10 words, difficulty understanding simple directions, or lack of interest in communicating

By 2 Years:

✅ Says at least 50 words and starts combining two words (e.g., “want cookie”)
✅ Follows two-step directions like “Get your shoes and come here”
✅ Is understood by familiar adults at least 50% of the time
✅ Names common objects and starts asking simple questions

🚩 What to watch for: Not putting words together, limited vocabulary, or hard to understand even for family members

By 3 Years:

✅ Uses sentences with three or more words (e.g., “I want more juice”)
✅ Is understood by unfamiliar people at least 75% of the time
✅ Engages in simple back-and-forth conversations
✅ Tells short stories or describes pictures

🚩 What to watch for: Difficulty forming sentences, frustration when trying to communicate, or being hard to understand

By 4-5 Years:

✅ Speaks clearly and fluently in full sentences
✅ Tells stories with a beginning, middle, and end
✅ Understands and answers “who,” “what,” “where,” and “why” questions
✅ Can be understood by almost everyone

🚩 What to watch for: Trouble with sentence structure, difficulty answering questions, or speech that is unclear

When to Consider a Speech Therapy Evaluation

If your child isn’t quite meeting these milestones or if something just feels off, trust your instincts. Parents know their children best!

Here are a few additional signs that could indicate a need for speech therapy:

🔹 Speech sound difficulties – If your child has trouble pronouncing sounds or is difficult to understand beyond age 3
🔹 Stuttering or difficulty with fluency – If your child repeats sounds, syllables, or gets stuck on words
🔹 Limited social interaction – If your child struggles with making eye contact, playing with peers, or understanding social cues
🔹 Frustration with communication – If your child gets upset or avoids talking due to difficulty being understood

What Should You Do Next?

If any of this sounds familiar, don’t panic! The best first step is to schedule a speech and language screening. At Smalltalk Speech Therapy, we offer friendly, no-pressure screenings to help determine if your child would benefit from speech therapy. If you live in the Albuquerque area, we’re here to support your family every step of the way.

If you already have a referral from your pediatrician, we can get started with an evaluation immediately. And if you’re unsure, that’s okay too—we’re happy to chat and help guide you in the right direction.

Reach out today to schedule a screening or evaluation!

Additional Resources

For more information on typical speech and language development, check out these trusted resources:
✅ The ASHA communication milestones provide a helpful guide on what to expect at different ages, and
✅ The CDC’s developmental milestones offer a detailed breakdown of skills by age, along with tips for early intervention. These can give you a clearer picture of your child’s progress and when to seek support.