Does My Toddler Need Speech Therapy? Signs, Tips, and What to Do Next
As moms, we are constantly watching our babies grow, change, and develop new skills. And one of the biggest milestones we look forward to is hearing those sweet first words. But what happens when those words don’t come as expected?
If you’re wondering, “Does my toddler need speech therapy?”, you’re not alone. Many parents worry about their child’s speech and language development, and it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what’s normal and what’s not.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the signs of speech delay, how to determine if your child may need speech therapy, and what steps you can take to encourage language development at home.
Table of Contents
- What Is Speech Therapy for Babies and Toddlers?
- Signs Your Baby May Need Speech Therapy
- Should I Be Worried? When to Consider Speech Therapy
- Why You Shouldn’t Rely on Comparison Alone
- How to Support Your Child’s Speech Development at Home
- When to Seek Professional Speech Therapy
- What If I Can’t Afford Speech Therapy?
- At-Home Speech Therapy Activities
- FAQ About Speech Therapy
- Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone
What Is Speech Therapy for Babies and Toddlers?
Speech therapy is a specialized form of intervention designed to help children develop communication skills. For babies and toddlers, this means working with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to improve verbal expression, understanding, and even alternative communication methods like sign language or picture-based systems.
SLPs assess a child’s current communication abilities and provide personalized strategies to help them improve their speech and language skills. They also guide parents in reinforcing those skills at home, making speech therapy a team effort.
Signs Your Baby May Need Speech Therapy
Every child develops at their own pace, but there are general speech and language milestones that help us determine if a child is on track. If your baby or toddler is missing several milestones, it may be time to explore speech therapy.
Speech and Language Milestones:
By 6 Months:
- Coos and makes gurgling sounds
- Responds to sounds by making noise
- Begins to recognize familiar voices and tones
By 12 Months:
- Babbles with different sounds (e.g., “ba-ba,” “da-da”)
- Responds to their name
- Understands basic words like “no” and “bye-bye”
- Uses simple gestures like waving or pointing
By 18 Months:
- Says at least 10-20 words
- Imitates words and sounds
- Points to things they want
- Follows simple directions like “come here” or “give me the ball”
By 24 Months:
- Has a vocabulary of about 50+ words
- Starts to combine two words (“want cookie,” “go outside”)
- Can identify common objects when named
- Uses gestures and words together
If your child is significantly behind these milestones, has trouble understanding speech, or isn’t attempting to communicate in any form, it may be time to seek professional input.
Should I Be Worried? When to Consider Speech Therapy
It’s natural to compare your child to other kids their age, but every child develops at their own pace. However, certain red flags can indicate a speech delay that may require professional support.
Signs Your Child Might Need Speech Therapy:
- Limited babbling as an infant (few cooing or gurgling sounds by 6-9 months)
- No words by 12-15 months
- Inconsistent response to their name or verbal cues
- Frustration or tantrums due to difficulty communicating
- Struggles to imitate sounds or words
- Speech is very unclear compared to peers
- No two-word phrases by age 2
If your child is showing any of these signs, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong—it just means they may need extra support to reach their speech and language potential.
Why You Shouldn’t Compare Your Child’s Speech to Others
It’s natural to compare our children to others, but doing so can create unnecessary anxiety. While it’s helpful to be aware of typical developmental milestones, every child learns at their own pace. Instead of comparing, focus on tracking your child’s individual progress over time.
Additionally, some children are late talkers but catch up without intervention. However, if you feel something isn’t right, trust your instincts and seek guidance.
How to Encourage Speech Development at Home
If you’re concerned about your child’s speech, there are many ways to encourage communication before seeking formal therapy.
1. Talk Constantly
- Narrate daily activities like cooking, dressing, and playing.
- Describe objects, actions, and emotions to expose your child to language.
2. Read Daily
- Choose interactive books with simple phrases and pictures.
- Ask questions about the story and encourage your child to point and respond.
3. Sing Songs and Rhymes
- Singing helps children learn rhythm, patterns, and new vocabulary.
- Simple songs with hand movements (e.g., “Itsy Bitsy Spider”) improve engagement.
4. Use Gestures and Sign Language
- Simple signs like “more” or “all done” can help bridge communication gaps.
- Gestures often encourage verbal attempts.
5. Reduce Screen Time
- Excessive screen time can limit interaction and slow speech development.
- Encourage face-to-face conversation and active play instead.
6. Encourage Imitation and Repetition
- Repeat words and phrases often to reinforce learning.
- Play sound imitation games, like animal noises or vehicle sounds.
What If I Want to Try Speech Therapy at Home?
Some parents prefer to take a hands-on approach to speech therapy. If you’re willing to invest time and effort, you can use resources like:
- Online Speech Therapy Courses – Many courses teach parents how to guide speech development at home. We used Walkie Talkie Speech Therapy
- Apps for Speech Development – Apps like Speech Blubs and Articulation Station make learning interactive.
- Speech Therapy Books – Books with exercises and strategies can be beneficial. Our favorite is Laura Mize “Teach Me To Talk”
However, if your child is not making progress, seeking professional help may be necessary.
When to Seek Professional Speech Therapy
If you’ve tried at-home strategies and your child is still struggling, consulting a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is the next step. Here’s when you should consider it:
- Your child is two years old and not speaking at all.
- They show frustration or behavioral issues due to communication struggles.
- You notice stuttering or difficulty pronouncing words beyond the typical learning phase.
- They regress in speech abilities or lose words they previously knew.
- They struggle with understanding language or following simple instructions.
A speech therapist will evaluate your child’s abilities, create a personalized plan, and guide you in supporting their development at home.
What If I Can’t Afford Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy can be costly, but there are affordable options:
- Early Intervention Programs – Many states offer free or low-cost speech therapy for children under three.
- Insurance Coverage – Check if your insurance covers therapy sessions.
- School-Based Services – If your child is school-aged, they may qualify for services through public education programs.
- Community Resources – Some local nonprofits and universities offer discounted therapy.
- Online Speech Therapy Courses – We used Walkie Talkie Speech Therapy and Laura Mize “Teach Me To Talk”, it was very affordable and allowed us to teach at home.
At-Home Speech Therapy Activities
If you’re looking to support your child’s speech development at home, here are some engaging and effective activities:
- Narrate Your Day – Talk about what you’re doing as you go about daily tasks.
- Read Books Together – Point to pictures, name objects, and ask questions.
- Sing Songs and Rhymes – Songs with hand motions (like “Itsy Bitsy Spider”) are especially helpful.
- Use Flashcards – Show pictures and encourage your child to name them.
- Practice Animal Sounds – Make fun sounds like “moo” and “baa” and encourage your child to copy.
- Play Pretend Games – Use dolls, cars, or stuffed animals to model conversation.
- Encourage Imitation – Repeat simple words and encourage your child to mimic them.
- Use Sign Language – Teach basic signs like “more,” “help,” and “thank you.”
- Limit Screen Time – Engage in interactive play instead of passive watching.
- Play with Bubbles – Blow bubbles and encourage words like “pop” or “big bubble.”
FAQ About Speech Therapy
1. At what age should I be concerned about my child’s speech delay?
If your child isn’t meeting basic language milestones by 18-24 months, consider seeking an evaluation.
2. Can speech delays correct themselves over time?
Some mild delays resolve on their own, but intervention can be helpful in many cases.
3. What causes speech delay?
Speech delays can be due to hearing loss, developmental differences, or simply a late talking pattern.
4. Does speech therapy really work?
Yes! Early intervention has been shown to significantly improve speech and language skills.
5. How can I find a speech therapist near me?
Check with your pediatrician, local early intervention programs, or visit ASHA.org to find certified speech therapists.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone
If you’re worried about your child’s speech, know that you’re not alone. So many moms have been in your shoes, myself included! For more resources, check out ASHA.org for expert speech therapy guidance. The best thing you can do is educate yourself, observe your child, and take proactive steps.