A speech or language delay is when a child has difficulties understanding or using spoken language.
A child with a language delay might struggle to understand what they hear or, if they're older, read. They might also have problems putting words together to form meaning.
Speech delays, on the other hand, are when children have problems making the sounds that become words. This is the physical act of talking.
Studies estimate that 1 in 10 children develop speech, language and communication difficulties, particularly in the early years.
As parents, we always want the best for our children, so it's natural to worry about your child's language development and whether they have a speech delay.
If you're worried about your child's speech and language progress, why not try the ? It's a quick questionnaire which helps you see how your baby or child is getting on with their speech, language and communication development.
It’s not the same as a standardised measure a specialist would carry out but it should give you an idea of how your baby or child is developing and whether you need some support or advice to help you and them.
If your child isn't developing speech and language skills at the rate you expect, it may not mean that there is a problem but it might be worth chatting to your GP or making a referral to a speech and language therapist.
Below, we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about speech delay.
How can I help a child with speech delay?
We would encourage increasing the number of times you talk with your child every day, making sure that you come down to their level and maintain eye contact with them. Pick up on their eye movements, their body language and any meaningful sounds that they make.
Want more tips? Check out these five helpful bits of advice from Speech and Language Therapist Sinead Campbell.
What does speech delay in toddlers mean for the future?
A speech and language delay means that a toddler is not picking up language as quickly as their peers, but that they will catch up.
If the delay is not addressed, evidence shows that this can affect learning style and social skills.
On our website, however, we have plenty of tips to help parents create a language-rich environment and provide lots of opportunities to help support a child’s language development skills.
Do you have any playdate ideas for a child with a speech delay?
Often children with a speech and language delay have difficulties with their social interactions, which is why playdates are the perfect way for them to practice and develop their social skills.
Children pick up social language from other children their age much more effectively than from just interacting with adults.
It helps if your child has some basic play skills, so make sure they have access to familiar toys and games that they already know the rules of. Playdates will help your child to develop so many skills like turn-taking, sharing, allowing a peer to take the lead, and to transition between tasks.
The age of your child’s playdate would be useful to consider. If your child’s skills are quite delayed, a younger child may be a better match. If your child has some difficult behaviours, a slightly older child might be best as they can often be more flexible, patient and use strategies to facilitate success for your child during play.
If your child is new to playdates, it is best to keep the environment familiar for them, such as your house or an outdoor space they frequently play in. Once they get used to the play dates, you can then introduce the playdates at a friend’s house or a less familiar playground.
Before a play date, go through some pointers for your child.
Give them examples of how to greet people, you can say, hello, hi, hug or shake hands, and most importantly look at the person you are greeting and smile.
Arm them with some phrases that might be useful to them through the playdate and when it is time to end the playdate, go through different things they can say and do.
Does lack of words mean lack of understanding?
Lack of words does not always mean a lack of understanding, but it’s always best to check in often with a child’s understanding.
Open questions, such as ‘what did you do at nursery today?’ and ‘what do you want for lunch?’, are harder to understand and answer than closed questions. So if your child is finding it hard to answer questions about their wants, needs, likes and dislikes, then try more closed questions. You can then also show the choices by holding up the objects or showing pictures.
Delayed speech, language and communication skills can affect a child’s learning in school, and the priority is that children can communicate their needs first.
Picture boards, showing common needs can be very helpful for children who don’t have the words to explain these things. Find out more about the power of pictures for communication.
If you’re very concerned about your child’s ability to communicate when they start in a childcare setting, you can speak to their new carer or teacher, and you might also like to speak to your local Speech and Language therapy service.
Can you potty train a child with speech delay?
If your child has a speech delay, they may find it harder to use words to let you know that they need to go. Even though they don’t have the words to express themselves, they can still let you know in their own way.
Look out for non-verbal cues. Just as we teach children how to read in a structured way, a structured approach to potty training is essential for children with speech delays. Set a potty schedule for your child to use the bathroom after meals and drinks, where you take them to the bathroom and stay there with them until they go.
If they don’t go right away, that’s ok, but bring them back again a few minutes later until they use the potty. This is how they will get used to and understand the routine. Give them praise and lots of it!
Help your child realise that using the toilet is something they are very capable of. Every time you take them for potty breaks be sure to use words associated with having to use the bathroom.
Help them communicate that they want to go by giving them lots of options to let you know, like having a picture of the toilet/potty accessible for them to point to. You could also make up a fun sign to indicate that it is time to go to the bathroom.
Click here for more general advice on potty training your child.
