Why Won't My Child Talk?

It’s frustrating. You see other children the same age talking, but your child isn’t. “Boys are late talkers,” your friends tell you. “He just needs time,” your husband says. “Stop worrying. She is only ___ years old,” says the friend whose daughter was saying words at 10 months.  

Sound familiar? If you are toying with the idea of calling your pediatrician, searching the internet for answers, or laying awake at night with worry, then it’s time to see a speech-language pathologist. Children do not intentionally choose not to speak. If a child is pointing, nodding, yelling/crying with frustration, that is their method of communicating. For one reason or another, speech or language skills may not be developing as they should, and your child should be evaluated by a speech-language pathologist. There are many reasons why speech and language skills might be delayed. Some factors that may cause delayed speech and language skills include, but are not limited to: having experienced one or more ear infections, fluid build up in the ear, hearing loss, coming from a bilingual/multilingual home, reduced or lack of exposure to language, lack of experience with peers or play, developmental delays, structural abnormalities, and more. A comprehensive developmental screening/evaluation or a speech-language evaluation will provide guidance as to what you and your child can do next. 

Are you feeling sad or guilty? Try not to get down on yourself. Think of the positives and what you and your child can do. You did the right thing. You paid attention and noticed that your child’s skill level may not be where it should and you’ve already started to research your options. Take the next step and call your child’s pediatrician for a referral, make an appointment with a speech-language pathologist, and rest easy tonight knowing that you’re being proactive. Right now, you are your child’s voice. You can review this list to further support your decision to have your child’s speech and language skills evaluated.

Please submit any inquiries. I would love to support you and your child.