Is It a Speech Delay? When to See a Speech Pathologist for Your Child

Speech pathology

It’s common for parents to wonder if their child’s speech and language skills are developing “normally.” Some children are chatty from an early age, while others may take longer to find their voice. So how do you know if it’s just a developmental phase—or a sign that your child may benefit from seeing a speech pathologist?

In this blog, we’ll help you recognise the signs of speech or language delay, understand typical milestones, and know when to reach out for support.

What’s the Difference Between Speech and Language?

Before diving in, it’s important to understand these two terms:

• Speech is how we say sounds and words—this includes pronunciation, fluency (stuttering), and voice quality.

• Language is how we understand and use words to communicate. This includes vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, and social use of language.

Children can have challenges in one area, or both.

Typical Communication Milestones

Every child develops at their own pace, but here are general guidelines:

By 12 Months:

• Babbles with sounds like “ba-ba” or “da-da”

• Uses gestures like pointing or waving

• Responds to their name

• Understands simple words like “no” or “bye”

By 18 Months:

• Uses 5–20 words

• Understands more than they can say

• Begins to follow simple instructions like “come here”

By 2 Years:

• Says 50+ words

• Combines 2-word phrases (“more milk,” “daddy go”)

• Starts to ask simple questions

• Speech is becoming clearer, though not all words are easy to understand

By 3 Years:

• Uses 3–4 word sentences

• Follows two-step directions

• Speech is understood by familiar listeners most of the time

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Speech Pathology

If your child:

• Isn’t using words by 18 months

• Has difficulty combining words into phrases by age 2

• Is hard to understand by age 3

• Gets frustrated when trying to communicate

• Struggles to follow directions or answer questions

• Has difficulty playing or taking turns in conversation

• Stutters or has an unusual voice tone or volume

…it may be time to speak with a speech pathologist.

Why Early Support Matters

Early speech and language skills form the foundation for:

• Learning and literacy

• Social interaction and friendships

• Behaviour and emotional regulation

• Future academic and workplace success

Therapy isn’t about “fixing” your child—it’s about building confidence, unlocking communication, and supporting their full potential.

What to Expect From Speech Therapy

At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, our speech pathologists:

• Start with a fun and engaging assessment to understand your child’s needs

• Create individualised goals and therapy plans

• Offer parent coaching so strategies can continue at home

• Use play-based therapy to keep sessions engaging

• Collaborate with teachers, GPs, and other professionals as needed

We offer clinic-based, home-based, and community speech therapy for children of all ages.

Not Sure if Your Child Needs Support?

We get it—it’s a big decision. That’s why we offer parent consults and developmental screeners so you can get guidance before committing to full therapy.

Concerned about your child’s speech or language? Join our waitlist today to speak with a member of our team and book an assessment.