What speech delay causes a problem?
Several speech delay reasons may occur. Delayed speech can be due to cognitive delay where the child has difficulty understanding the concept of verbal language. This is usually the case for children with autism. Another possible reason is a hearing problem. Many times a child with a delayed speech & language will have a hearing problem as a result of growth on the eardrum, a perforated eardrum, or a pinna that doesn’t fully form. Another reason a child may have a delayed speech is due to a physical problem. In this case, a speech therapist can usually pinpoint the exact cause.
We recommend that you visit a speech therapist and help your child get the necessary help and treatment. There is no set time for your child to start talking. When will your child start talking? It’s quite unforeseeable. It’s important not to worry about your child’s delay in speech. If your child is not speaking after 18 months of age, it’s good to seek help from a speech therapist. If the speech problem persists after the age of 3, we recommend that you visit a psychologist. The psychologist can help with the assessment and intervention of speech problems.