Red flags in babies:

• • • Doesn’t smile or appear to enjoy interacting with others

    • Very quiet, doesn’t babble or coo

    • Uses a limited variety of babbling sounds 

Red flags in toddlers:

• • • Doesn't appear to understand what others say

    • Doesn't talk or make noises during play

    • Doesn't point or gesture to communicate

    • Doesn't respond to their name

    • Uses very few words or only uses one word at a time by the age of 18-24 months

    • Pronounces most words incorrectly, especially words with early developing sounds, such as p, b, m, h and w

Red flags in preschoolers:

• • • Doesn't use sentences (at least 3-4 words long)

    • Doesn't appear to enjoy interacting with other children

    • Continues to pronounce many words incorrectly, including early developing sounds above or sounds such as t, d, n, k, g and f

    • Deletes many sounds from words

    • Is difficult to understand and/or becomes frustrated when not understood

    • Cannot follow routine directions

    • Not interested in looking at books or writing/drawing

Red flags in early elementary school:

• • • Doesn’t appear to understand a story that is read to them

    • Cannot tell about something that happened or something they did

    • Cannot answer basic yes/no, what, where, when, or who questions

    • Has difficulty with rhyming, learning letter sounds or identifying sounds in words

    • Has difficulty participating in a conversation by taking turns and staying on topic

    • Still pronounces words incorrectly

Red flags in later elementary school:

• Has difficulty understanding curriculum concepts and vocabulary

• Uses incorrect grammar

• Cannot summarize ideas or retell a story

• Has difficulty with organizing information

• Cannot answer inferential questions (i.e. "Why do you think....?" or "What could happen...?" )

• Reads below grade level

• Has difficulty with spelling

If you have concerns about your child's speech and language development, please contact us for a free consultation or click to learn more about our speech/language therapy services.