Speech, Language, Hearing Symptoms

How do you know if you have a speech, language or hearing problem?

  • A speech or language problem refers to any deviation from the assumed normal or standard speech or language pattern in your specific natural and regional environment.
  • A speech or language deviation:
  • attracts attention to itself (conspicuous)
  • Interferes with communication (unintelligible)
  • Causes the speaker or listener to feel uncomfortable (unpleasant)

How do you know if your child needs a speech and language evaluation?

  • A speech-language pathologist should be contacted when any one of the following conditions exists. If your child:
  • Is a “late talker,” “quiet baby,” and not talking much by 2 years of age.
  • Has poor speech intelligibility at 3 years old (most children have nearly 100% speech intelligibility at 3 years of age).
  • Leaves off beginning or ending consonants after age 3 years.
  • Isn’t using 3-4 word sentences at age 3 years.
  • Word endings are consistently missed after age 5 years.
  • Has sentence structure that is noticeably faulty at 4 years.
  • Is disturbed about his/her speech during any of the preschool years (common behaviors of children who have difficulty talking are shyness, playing alone, covering mouth, refusing to try to talk, tantrums, shutting down, crying, etc.).
  • Has non-fluent speech more than 50% of the time (stuttering).
  • Has a voice that sounds too loud or too soft, monotone, or nasal and whiny.
  • Has a voice that is too high or low for his/her age or sex.