Speech & Language Red Flags

Speech and language begin developing even before a child is born as the hearing mechanism is present and functional even before birth! But what if you're afraid something isn't quite right? Don't hesitate to seek a professional opinion. Speech-Language Pathologists are trained  in identifying and treating speech, language, and communication delays. Wondering when you should seek help?

Here is a quick reference as to "red flags" for speech and language:
By age 1, a child cannot:
-respond to his/her name
-say first word
-limited or no eye contact
By age 2, a child cannot:
-combine 2 words into a phrase (by 24 months)
-child doesn't consistently add new words to expressive vocabulary
-child doesn't follow simple directions
-child has limited play skills
-be understood 50% of the time
By age 3-5, a child cannot:
-verbalize utterances without repeating part of the word or prolonging sounds (e.g. m-m-m-mommy)
-seem to find the right words, or describe an item or event without difficulty
-combine 4-5 words into a sentence
-repeat themselves to clarify without getting frustrated
-ask or answer simple questions
-uses only rote phrases and sentences
-prefers to play alone rather than with peers
-be understood 100% of the time, with most speech sounds produced accurately by age 5.