At different ages there are different signs which may show that children have a difficulty with speech, language or communication.
Age 2-3
Children may need extra help if they:
- are two years or more and cannot say any words
- are three years or more and only parents or close family can understand them
- do not listen or respond to simple instructions
- make little or no eye contact and it’s difficult to draw their attention to things
Age 3 plus
Some speech, language and communication impairments may not be obvious until children are three years or older, children may have a difficulty if they:
- find it hard to produce many sounds, so adults cannot understand what they say
- muddle their speech or use words in the wrong order
- struggle to learn new words
- miss out words in a sentence or find it hard to link words together
- forget instructions or conversation almost as soon as they are said
- find it difficult to pay attention to instructions or conversation
- make inappropriate answers or comments
- do not understand how to take turns in conversation
Age 5 and beyond
Older children with speech and language impairments may:
- jump inappropriately from one topic to another
- talk about one subject and find it difficult to switch to others
- find it hard to learn to read
- struggle to understand abstract ideas such as time or emotions
- misinterpret language which isn’t literal - like “pull your socks up”
