Many parents wonder whether their child’s speech and language development is on track. It is one of the most common questions in pediatric speech therapy — and one of the hardest for families to answer alone. Children grow at their own pace, and minor delays are often normal. But there are also clear signs that may indicate a child needs additional support.

At Vero Speech Therapy, I help parents understand their child’s communication skills and determine whether therapy may be beneficial. Here are 12 important signs that parents often overlook.

1. Limited Vocabulary for Their Age

If your child has fewer words than expected for their age, it may be worth evaluating.

Typical guidelines:

12 months: 1 to 2 words
18 months: 10 to 20 words
2 years: 50 or more words
3 years: simple sentences

If your child is far below these ranges, it may indicate a delay.

2. Not Combining Words by Age Two

Children should begin putting two words together by around 24 months.
Examples:

Want juice
Mommy go
More please

Not combining words by two years old is often one of the earliest signs to seek an evaluation.

3. Difficulty Being Understood

Parents often understand their child better than anyone else, so if even you struggle to understand them, that is a red flag.

By age:

2 years: strangers should understand about 50 percent
3 years: around 75 percent
4 years: nearly all

If your child is far below these levels, articulation may be an issue.

4. Trouble Following Simple Instructions

Speech delays are often tied to language comprehension challenges.

Examples:

Not responding to “Get your shoes”
Struggling with “Put it in the box”
Forgetting simple one-step directions

Understanding should steadily improve between ages 1 and 3.

5. Little to No Eye Contact

Reduced eye contact can indicate:

Social communication challenges
Autism spectrum disorder
Anxiety or avoidance
Difficulty processing language

This is a sign worth discussing with a specialist.

6. Limited Use of Gestures

Gestures such as pointing, waving, or raising arms to be picked up are early forms of communication. If your child rarely uses gestures, it may be an early sign of a language delay.

7. Frustration When Trying to Communicate

If your child frequently cries, withdraws, or becomes upset when trying to express themselves, it often indicates they know what they want to say but cannot verbalize it clearly.

8. Unusual Speech Patterns or Repetitive Sounds

Watch for:

Repeating the same sounds
Difficulty starting words
Speech that sounds “stuck”
Long pauses
Blocks or repetitions

These can be early signs of fluency or motor speech disorders.

9. Regression or Loss of Previously Gained Skills

If your child suddenly stops using words they previously used, stops responding to their name, or loses any communication skill, seek an evaluation right away.

Regression is an important sign not to ignore.

10. Little Interest in Social Interaction

Children naturally seek connection through:

Play
Expression
Shared attention
Simple back-and-forth communication

If your child rarely engages with others, it may indicate an underlying communication challenge.

11. Delayed Play Skills

Play is directly linked to language development.
Concerns include:

Not pretending with toys
Not taking turns
Not imitating actions
Playing with toys the same way every time

These are often early indicators of language or social communication delays.

12. Difficulty With Sound Production Beyond Age Four

If your child is still struggling with basic sounds such as:

after age four, they may benefit from articulation support.

When You Should Seek an Evaluation

You should consider scheduling an evaluation if:

You notice multiple signs from the list above
You have a gut feeling something is off
Your child gets frustrated when trying to communicate
Their progress has plateaued
Their development seems different from peers

A speech evaluation provides clarity, direction, and peace of mind.

Early support leads to strong communication skills later. Children do not “grow out” of all speech issues, but they often overcome them quickly with the right help at the right time.

Get Professional Guidance You Can Trust

At Vero Speech Therapy, I help children develop speech, language, and communication skills through individualized, play-based therapy. I also guide parents on how to support their child at home in simple, effective ways.

If you are unsure whether your child needs speech therapy, scheduling an evaluation is the best first step.

Contact Us Today to book an appointment or request more information.

Early support builds confident communicators — and I am here to help.