The "Wait and See" and When to Seek a Speech Evaluation

1 day ago
2 min read

As a parent, your "gut feeling" is one of your most powerful tools. You might notice your child isn't quite using as many words as their peers at the playground, or perhaps you’re the only one who can translate what they’re saying.

Well-meaning friends and family often offer the advice to "just wait and see. They’ll catch up!" While every child develops at their own pace, there is a significant difference between a "late bloomer" and a child with a true communication delay.

Understanding the Milestones: Language development follows a predictable ladder. Before a child says their first word, they are building a foundation of "pre-linguistic" skills like eye contact, pointing, and responding to their name.

Red Flags to Watch For: If you notice the following, it may be time to skip the "wait" and head straight to an evaluation:

By 12 Months: Not babbling (e.g., "ba-ba-ba"), not responding to their name, or not using gestures like waving or pointing.
By 18 Months: Prefers gestures over vocalisations to communicate needs, has trouble following simple commands (like "sit down"), or has a vocabulary of fewer than 10 words.
By 24 Months: Not putting two words together (e.g., "more juice"), having a vocabulary of fewer than 50 words, or failing to imitate words or actions.
By 36 Months (3 Years): An unfamiliar person should understand about 75% of what your child says. Not using 3–4 word sentences consistently. Showing little interest in playing with other children or not asking "What?" or "Where?" questions.
Important Note: If at any age your child experiences a regression (losing words or social skills they previously had), contact a professional immediately.

Why "Early Intervention" is the Gold Standard: The brain is at its most "plastic" (flexible and ready to learn) between the ages of 0 and 3. By seeking an evaluation early, you aren't "labeling" your child, you are giving them the tools to bridge the gap before they reach school age. Speech therapy doesn't just teach a child how to say words; it teaches them how to connect, how to reduce frustration, and how to gain the confidence to share their thoughts with the world.

If you've been wondering whether your child's communication skills are developing as expected, trust your instincts. While developmental milestones provide helpful guidelines, every child is unique, and an assessment can help provide clarity and peace of mind. At Kids Inspired, our experienced speech pathologists offer comprehensive assessments and personalised support for children with speech, language, social communication, and literacy difficulties. If you have concerns about your child's development or would like to learn more about how we can help, contact our team today. Early support can make a lasting difference.