Delayed Speech in Children: Causes, Symptoms & Proven Therapy Solutions

🧠 What is Delayed Speech?

Delayed speech means a child isn’t meeting age-appropriate speech and language milestones. While some children are simply “late talkers,” others may need professional intervention Child Speech Delay

Typical Milestones:

• 12 months: Says simple words like “mama” or “dada”

• 18 months: Uses around 10–20 words

• 2 years: Combines two words (e.g., “more milk”)

• 3 years: Speaks in short sentences

If your child is not hitting these milestones, it might be time to consult a speech therapist.Children Speech Delay

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🚨 Common Signs of Speech Delay:

• Doesn’t babble or use gestures by 12 months

• Limited vocabulary for age

• Struggles to combine words by age 2

• Hard to understand compared to peers

• Doesn’t follow simple instructions

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🧬 What Causes Delayed Speech?

There are various reasons why a child may experience speech delays:

1. Hearing Issues

Undiagnosed hearing problems can interfere with speech development.

2. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Children with autism often show delayed or unusual language patterns.

3. Oral-Motor Problems

Structural issues in the mouth or tongue can impact articulation.

4. Developmental Delays

Cognitive delays or other learning disabilities may affect speech.

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💬 When to See a Speech Therapist

If your child is behind on speech milestones or shows any of the above signs, early evaluation is essential. A certified speech-language pathologist (SLP) will assess your child’s skills and recommend therapy if needed.

🛠️ Effective Therapy & Home Solutions

👩‍⚕️ Speech Therapy

Tailored sessions can include play-based learning, articulation practice, and vocabulary building.

🏡 Home Strategies:

• Talk to your child regularly, even if they don’t respond

• Read aloud daily

• Use gestures and visuals to reinforce speech

• Repeat and expand on your child’s attempts (e.g., “Car” → “Yes, a big red car!”)

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🌟 Early Intervention Matters

The earlier a child receives help, the better the outcomes. Don’t wait to see if they’ll “catch up.” With early support, many children with speech delays go on to develop normal language skills.

🧑‍⚕️ Meet Dr. Jahangeer Shah – Speech Delay Specialist

Dr. Jahangeer Shah is a renowned child development expert in Karachi, specializing in speech delay, autism, and behavioral therapies. His clinic offers personalized therapy plans to help children thrive through early intervention.

📍 Clinic Address: A1000, 11-B, Near Sajida Lawn, Disco More, North Karachi
📞 Online Consultation: Call or WhatsApp at 0331-2503790