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Approximately one out of every four children experiences a speech delay, and most eventually catch up without any sort of intervention.<\/p>\nAs children grow, there are certain milestones parents look forward to, such as crawling, walking and speaking. By their first birthday, most children know a word or two; at 18 months, their vocabulary should consist of five to 20 words and include simple two-word sentences. But these are rough guidelines. Every child progresses at a different pace. <\/p>\n
Approximately one out of every four children experiences a speech delay, and most eventually catch up without any sort of intervention.<\/p>\n
Still, it\u2019s best to bring up any concerns with your child\u2019s doctor. If there is a language disorder or developmental problem, early treatment is key to preventing learning problems down the road. <\/p>\n
A variety of factors can lead to delayed speech and language skills. These include: <\/p>\n
If your child\u2019s doctor cannot rule out a speech delay, a speech-language pathologist should be consulted for a full evaluation. This involves a series of tests that will be used to assess your child\u2019s receptive language and expressive language skills, sound development, speech clarity and oral-motor skills. Speech therapy may be recommended to help your child develop the skills necessary for effective communication. <\/p>\n
Both heredity and environment play a role in speech development. As a parent, there are steps you can take to assist your child with speech development. Communicate often (talk and sing), encourage verbal interaction whenever possible and read to your child starting at a young age. <\/p>\n