What Is a Speech Delay?
Speech and language delays can affect how a child produces sounds, uses words, forms sentences, or communicates with others. Speech refers mainly to how clearly a child produces sounds. A child can have a delay in one area, both areas, or a milder version of either. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) publishes communication milestones covering hearing, speech, and language development from birth through age five. ASHA states clearly that these milestones describe what many children can do by a given age, not a diagnostic checklist. Children develop at different rates, and missing a milestone does not by itself confirm a delay; this is only the common symptoms of speech delay.
Speech and Language Milestones by Age
Speech and language milestones follow a general pattern from infancy through the preschool years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines its milestones as skills that most children, generally 75% or more, can do by a certain age. These milestones are meant as a guide for conversations with a pediatrician, not a strict pass-or-fail test. The sections below describe what is commonly expected at each stage, alongside signs that may be worth discussing with a professional.
Speech and Language Development in Babies (0–12 Months)
Babies typically move through a predictable set of early sound milestones during the first year.
- Cooing sounds, such as “ooh” and “aah,” usually begin around 2 months
- Babbling sounds, such as “ba-ba” or “da-da,” typically start between 6 and 9 months
- Response to their own name is common by around 12 months
- Simple gestures, such as waving, often appear around 12 months
Signs worth mentioning to a pediatrician:
- No babbling by around 9 months
- No response to sounds or their name by around 12 months
- Very limited eye contact during sound exchanges with caregivers
A hearing check is often the first recommended step if any of these signs are present, since hearing plays a large role in early sound development.
Speech and Language Development in Toddlers (12–18 Months)
Word development typically begins in this window, though the pace varies between children.
- Around 15 months, CDC notes many children try to say 1–2 words besides “mama” and “dada”
- By 18 months, CDC notes many children try to say 3 or more words besides “mama” and “dada”
- Pointing to objects to show interest is common by this stage
- Simple gestures, such as waving, are typically well established
Signs worth discussing with a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist:
- Fewer words than expected for age
- Limited or absent gesture use, such as pointing or waving
- No attempt to imitate sounds or simple words
Speech and Language Development at 18–24 Months
Vocabulary tends to grow more quickly in this stage, along with early word combinations.
- Vocabulary generally expands at a noticeable pace during this period
- Two-word combinations, such as “more milk,” often begin closer to age 2
- Following simple one-step instructions, such as “give me the ball,” becomes more common
Signs worth discussing with a professional:
- A noticeably smaller vocabulary than peers of the same age
- No attempt at combining words by age 2
- Speech that is difficult even for parents to understand most of the time
- Difficulty following simple one-step instructions
Speech and Language Development at 2–3 Years
This stage often brings more frequent word combinations, alongside speech that may still be unclear to unfamiliar listeners.
- Word combinations tend to happen more often, per current ASHA guidance
- Speech may still not be fully understandable to strangers, which ASHA notes is common at this age
- Vocabulary and sentence attempts generally continue to expand
Signs worth discussing with a professional:
- Relying mainly on gestures instead of words
- Very limited sentence attempts
- Stuttering that continues for several months
Speech and Language Development at 3–4 Years
Sentence length and storytelling ability typically increase during this stage.
- Longer sentences and simple storytelling about daily events are common
- Speech generally becomes easier for unfamiliar listeners to follow
- Some sound errors are still expected and typical at this age
Signs worth discussing with a professional:
- Frequent difficulty being understood by people outside the family
- Ongoing trouble answering simple “who,” “what,” and “where” questions
Speech and Language Development at 4–5 Years
Sentence complexity and overall speech clarity usually continue to improve heading into kindergarten.
- More complex sentences and short, connected storytelling are common
- Speech generally becomes clear enough for teachers and unfamiliar adults to understand most of the time
- Pace of reaching full clarity still varies between children
Signs worth discussing with a professional:
- Substituting or leaving out several sounds
Speech and Language Milestone Reference Table
Age | What You May Expect | Signs Worth Discussing With a Professional |
9–12 months | Babbling sounds, response to name | No babbling by 9 months, no response to name by 12 months |
15 months | Trying to say 1–2 words besides “mama”/”dada” (CDC) | Very few or no word attempts |
18 months | Trying to say 3+ words besides “mama”/”dada” (CDC); pointing, gestures | Few words, little gesture use |
2 years | Growing vocabulary, some 2-word combinations | Little to no word combining, unclear speech to parents |
2–3 years | More frequent word combinations (ASHA); speech may still be unclear to strangers | Mostly gestures, very limited sentences, ongoing stuttering |
3–4 years | Longer sentences, simple storytelling | Frequent difficulty being understood outside the family |
4–5 years | Complex sentences, clear connected speech for most listeners | Multiple sound substitutions, avoiding talking in groups |
This table is a general guide. It is not a diagnostic tool, and a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist should always be involved in any real assessment.
Speech Delay vs Language Delay: What Is the Difference?
Speech delay mainly affects how clearly a child produces individual sounds, while language delay affects how a child understands or uses words, sentences, and grammar.
Speech delay typically involves:
- Unclear pronunciation of sounds or words
- Age-appropriate vocabulary and understanding
- Difficulty being understood despite knowing many words
Language delay typically involves:
- Clear pronunciation of the words a child does use
- A smaller vocabulary than expected for age
- Difficulty forming sentences or following instructions
Some children show signs of both at the same time. Speech-language pathologists typically test these two areas separately during a full evaluation, since the therapy approach differs for each.
What Causes Speech Delay in Children?
Causes of speech delay in children vary and are not always identifiable.
- Frequent ear infections, which can cause temporary hearing changes affecting speech sound learning
- Structural differences such as tongue-tie or cleft palate, which can make certain sounds harder to produce
- Developmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, where speech delay is one of several possible signs
- Family history of late talking, which is associated with a higher likelihood of delay in some children
- No identifiable cause, which is common and does not rule out benefit from support
A hearing evaluation is usually one of the first steps a pediatrician recommends when a delay is suspected.
Late Talker vs Speech Delay: How to Tell Them Apart
A late talker usually:
- Has a smaller vocabulary for their age
- Develops speech sounds and understanding in a fairly typical way
- Builds vocabulary and catches up over time without formal intervention
A broader speech delay usually includes:
- Unclear articulation beyond vocabulary size alone
- Limited sentence structure for age
- Difficulty being understood by others
- Limited word combinations by around age 2
Speech-language pathologists distinguish between the two by assessing vocabulary alongside articulation, grammar, and understanding together, rather than relying on word count alone.
Receptive vs Expressive Language Delay: Key Differences
Receptive language delay affects:
- Understanding of spoken language
- Ability to follow instructions, such as “put the cup on the table”
Expressive language delay affects:
- Ability to use words and sentences to communicate
- Verbal response, even when instructions are understood
Some children show a combined delay affecting both understanding and speaking. Standardized assessment tools, such as the Preschool Language Scale (PLS-5), are used by speech-language pathologists to measure receptive and expressive skills separately. Knowing which area is affected helps determine whether therapy should focus more on comprehension activities, verbal output, or both.
How to Know If Your Child Has a Speech Delay
A step-by-step approach can help parents get clarity before or alongside a professional evaluation.
- Compare your child’s speech and language against general milestone guides from a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist
- Record a short video of your child talking during play, since this helps a specialist assess clarity and word use more accurately than a description alone
- Request a hearing screening early on, since undetected hearing differences are a common and sometimes hidden factor
- Seek a full evaluation using standardized tools, such as the Rossetti Infant-Toddler Language Scale for children under 3
A full evaluation, such as one offered at Sensoria Child Development Center, typically includes a hearing check, an oral-motor exam, and a play-based language assessment.
How Speech Therapy Helps a Child With Delayed Speech
Speech therapy for delayed speech is built around the specific sounds, words, or sentence patterns a child needs support with.
- A licensed speech-language pathologist develops a therapy plan after a full evaluation of articulation, vocabulary, and comprehension
- Sessions commonly use play-based activities, since young children generally engage better with games than with structured drills
- Many children attend one to two therapy sessions per week
- Progress is reviewed periodically by the therapist
- Parent coaching is usually included, so strategies used in sessions can be reinforced at home
Frequently Asked Questions
Not babbling by around 9 months and not responding to their own name by around 12 months are commonly noted signs worth mentioning to a pediatrician.
Word counts vary between children. CDC milestones note that many children try to say three or more words besides “mama” and “dada” by 18 months, but a pediatrician is the right person to interpret this for an individual child.
Some late talkers build vocabulary and catch up over time on their own, while a broader speech or language delay more often benefits from a professional evaluation and, where needed, therapy.
Speech delay affects sound and language development specifically, while autism spectrum disorder can include speech delay as one of several possible signs alongside differences in social interaction and behavior.
There is no need to wait for a specific age. If you have a concern, it is reasonable to ask for a speech-language evaluation at any point.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Speech and language development varies between children. If you have concerns about your child’s development, consult a qualified pediatrician or speech-language pathologist.
Read more
Symptoms of Speech Delay: Age-by-Age Signs Every Parent Should Know
How to Teach an Autistic Child at Home: A Practical Guide for Parents
