adminteam

Late speakers are children who show delays in speech and language development compared to peers of the same age. While some children naturally catch up over time, others may continue to struggle with understanding language (receptive skills) or expressing themselves through words and sentences (expressive skills). Late speaking can affect vocabulary, sentence formation, and social communication, often leading to frustration, behavioural challenges, and learning difficulties.

Awareness of age-appropriate speech and language milestones helps parents identify early warning signs, such as limited words, difficulty following instructions, or reliance on gestures, and seek timely support. A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) evaluates the child’s overall development, identifies possible causes like hearing issues or developmental delays, and provides individualised late talker therapy in Kolkata. With early intervention, consistent therapy, and active parental involvement, late speakers can make meaningful progress and develop stronger communication skills.

Every word a child speaks is a step toward understanding, connection, and confidence.

Age-Appropriate Speech and Language Developmental Milestones:

In the first year of life, babies begin by cooing and babbling, gradually experimenting with different sounds and tones. By around 9–12 months, they start combining sounds and responding to familiar voices and simple words. Between 12 and 18 months, most children use a few meaningful words, understand simple instructions, and communicate needs using sounds, words, and gestures. As they approach 2 years of age, vocabulary expands rapidly, and children begin combining two words to form simple phrases while also following basic one- to two-step directions.

From 2 to 3 years, children usually start forming short sentences, using a growing vocabulary and demonstrating better understanding of concepts like colours, actions, and everyday objects. Their speech may still sound unclear, but it should be understandable to familiar listeners. By 3½ to 4 years, children typically speak in clearer, longer sentences, follow complex instructions, and use language to express ideas, feelings, and experiences. Although some speech sounds may still be developing, overall communication becomes more effective and purposeful. Knowing these milestones helps parents and caregivers recognise whether a child is showing normal speech and language development or may benefit from an early evaluation by a late speech therapist in Kolkata.

Warning Signs Your Child May Need Late Speaker Therapy in Kolkata:

• Limited or no response to sounds by 12–24 months
• Using gestures instead of spoken words by 18 months
• Repeatedly using only a few words or sounds
• Trouble following simple directions or instructions
• Frustration when trying to communicate