The Reasons for Speech Delay in Toddlers

The Reasons for Speech Delay in Toddlers

What is speech delay?

Speech delay refers to a delay with the ability to form and make sounds, and use known and acquired vocabulary to communicate through speech. Speech delay means issues with mispronunciations and unclear speech, making someone with a speech delay difficult to understand. 

In a lot of cases, speech delay may simply be a temporary condition, and with time and support, a child will soon reach age-appropriate speech developmental milestones. However in some instances, speech delay may develop into a permanent, speech disability, and in some cases, children may develop very limited, or zero speech development at all. 

For many toddlers and children, early intervention is crucial when it comes to supporting their speech and language development. This might include sessions and therapies with a speech therapist and other professionals. This early intervention can sometimes make all the difference in ensuring a child can gain the necessary speech skills for their age. 

Reasons for speech delay in toddlers

The causes of speech delay

1. Limited opportunities for speech development in their primary care environment

Toddlers need to hear speech, to be able to process and learn to imitate it as part of their speech development. For toddlers who are in caregiving environments where they are not spoken to or do not hear others speaking, speech delay may be a consequence of this limited exposure. 

2. Rare disease or genetic syndrome

In some instances, speech delay, especially severe delay a disability, may be caused by a rare disease. Examples of genetic syndromes that present with limited-zero speech development include Pitt-Hopkins and Russell-Silver. 

3. Physical or medical conditions

Sometimes a physical issue may be the cause of speech delay. This can include issues with the tongue and the palate or roof of the mouth. A short frenulum, the fold of skin found under the tongue, can sometimes contribute to unclear speech. 

Other medical issues that might cause speech delay in toddlers include hearing issues which can restrict a child’s ability to develop their speaking skills. 

4. Neurological Impairment

Sometimes speech delay is caused due to a problem in the area of the brain responsible for speech. This can affect an individual’s ability to coordinate their lips, tongue, and jaw to be able to form words necessary for speech. This impairment will more often than not, also present with other issues related to oral development and functioning, including feeding. 

Identifying speech delay in toddlers can be tricky. This is a time when a child’s development is still progressing, and even within the established developmental milestones, there are ranges within which children are expected to meet certain milestones and master specific skills.

Speech delay, for some children, may be a temporary thing, but it is important to understand a child’s development and any possible areas of delay, to understand if there is a more serious underlying cause, such as a rare disease; and if there is a need for intervention and support. 

Understanding speech delays in toddlers is essential for effective support. FDNA’s free, secured AI Child Development Checker lets you assess your child’s speech and development at home, providing personalized insights and connecting you with experts for tailored guidance. Use it to gain a deeper understanding and ensure the best support for your child’s speech development.

 

Related articles

Developmental Delays
Global Developmental Delay: Causes, Signs, and Support

Global Developmental Delay: Causes, Signs, and Support

There may be many obstacles along the way, including: Lack of access to the right medical attention, specialists, and care. Lack of access to the right information about the possible genetic syndrome or rare disease the family faces. The possibility of misdiagnosis. Being stranded in a diagnostic journey, unsure of where and how to access the right information or medical specialists and testing to reach a diagnosis. Lack of support as the family navigates a new reality and future.

Read more
Developmental Delays
How to Talk to Your Child's Pediatrician About Developmental Delays

How to Talk to Your Child’s Pediatrician About Developmental Delays

As a parent, it’s natural to worry about your child’s development. You may have concerns about their speech, motor skills, social interactions, or a developmental milestone they didn’t meet. These concerns can be especially challenging when you don’t know what to do or who to turn to for help. Your child’s pediatrician can offer guidance, support, and referrals to specialists if needed. It’s important to approach the conversation with your child’s pediatrician in a way that maximizes the information you can get. In this article, we’ll offer some tips on how to talk to your child’s pediatrician about developmental delays.

Read more
Developmental Delays
what is cognitive developmental delay

What is Cognitive Developmental Delay?

Cognitive development delay refers to a delay in an individual’s acquisition of cognitive and mental functioning skills. Cognitive skills may also be referred to as thinking skills. They refer to our ability to think, learn and problem solve.

Read more