May is Better Speech & Hearing Month: Know the signs of Speech and Language Delay!

​Knowledge about communication disorders allow parents and educators to act and help. The list below is from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association's "Identifythesigns" campaign of 2014. The information is still valid and important today.

• Does not smile or interact with others (birth and older)

• Does not babble (4-7 months)

• Makes only a few sounds or gestures, like pointing (7-12 months)

• Does not understand what others say (7 months-2 years)

• Says only a few words (12-18 months)

• Words are not easily understood (18 months-2 years)

• Does not put words together to make sentences (1.5-3 years)

• Has trouble playing and talking with other children (2-3 years)

• Has trouble with early reading and writing skills (2.5-3 years)

What Parents Can Do

• Listen and respond to your child

• Talk, read, and play with your child

• Talk with your child in the language you are most comfortable using

• Know it is good to teach your child to speak a second language

• Talk about what you are doing and what your child is doing

• Use a lot of different words with your child

• Use longer sentences as your child gets older

• Have your child play with other children