As parents, it’s completely natural to wonder whether your child is developing at the right pace, especially when it comes to speech and language.
A common question we get at the NDC is: “Is my child behind on their speech milestones?”
Let’s break it down in a way that gives you clarity, not anxiety.
Understanding Speech and Language Milestones
Children reach milestones at different times, but there are general guidelines that can help you know if things are progressing typically.
Here’s a rough timeline of early communication milestones:
- By 12 months: babbles with sounds like “ba-ba” or “da-da”; responds to their name; understands simple words like “no” or “bye-bye”; uses gestures like waving or pointing.
- By 18 months: says around 10–20 words; can follow simple instructions (“give me the ball”); recognises familiar objects when named.
- By 2 years: uses 50+ words; combining 2 words (“more juice”, “mommy go”); understands simple questions; uses pronouns like “mine” etc.
- By 3 years: speaks in short 3-4 word sentences; adults can understand most of what they say; understands simple concepts (big/small, in/on); asks lots of questions!
- By 4 years: clearer speech; uses longer sentences; tells simple stories; grammar improving; understands “why” and “how” questions.
Remember: every child is different. However, if your child is significantly behind on these benchmarks and is persistently not achieving multiple milestones, it may be worth exploring further.
Why It Matters
Speech and language development is foundational for a child’s ability to learn, socialise, and feel confident. Delays in speech and language milestones, if unidentified, can lead to difficulties with literacy, behaviour, social interactions, and school readiness. Early detection and intervention often lead to much better outcomes.
Early Support Makes a Difference
You don’t need to “wait and see” if you are concerned. The earlier we understand how a child communicates, the sooner we can provide tailored support. This can be empowering for both children and their families.
Final Thoughts
At The Neurodiversity Centre, we are here to guide you with compassion and evidence-based support. Whether your child is just taking their first steps into language development or needs a different kind of communication support, we’ll meet you where you are. The goal Is not to force a child to communicate in one particular way. It is to support them in building meaningful, functional communication skills that work for them. We honour different communication styles, including spoken language, gestures, sign language, and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication).
If you are reading this and feeling unsure, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Booking a consultation with a Speech and Language Therapist is simply the first step in understanding your child.
