Speech and Language Problems in Children
Published May 9, 2026
It can be hard to know if your child's speech or language delay is a problem. Read about the types of problems and how they are diagnosed and treated.
<p>Children vary in their development of speech and language skills. Health care professionals have lists of milestones for what's normal. These milestones help figure out whether a child is on track or if he or she may need extra help. For example, a child usually has one or two words like "Hi," "dog," "Dada," or "Mama" by her first birthday.</p> <p>Sometimes a delay may be caused by <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/hearingproblemsinchildren.html" target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">hearing loss</a>. Other times it may be due to a speech or language disorder. Children who have speech disorders may have trouble making speech sounds correctly. They may hesitate or stutter when talking. Children with language disorders might have trouble understanding what others say or difficulty sharing their thoughts. </p> <p>If you have concerns about your child's speech or language development, talk to your child's health care provider. </p> <p>NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders</p> <hr/> <p><em>Source: NIH MedlinePlus — <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/speechandlanguageproblemsinchildren.html" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="blank">https://medlineplus.gov/speechandlanguageproblemsinchildren.html</a></em></p>
Related support
- Compare autism services by city — Find assessment, therapy and support listings near you.
- Read source-checked autism guides — Use practical guides with official sources and review dates.
- Choose your next support step — Get a short, location-aware action path without creating an account.