The Causes of Speech Delay

What is speech delay?

Speech delay (alalia) is defined by a delay in speech development. This means a delay in making the necessary sounds for speech. 

What are some of the signs of speech delay in my child?

A child who is not meeting the developmental milestones for speech may be showing signs of speech delay.

The following milestones are arranged according to age: 

Age	Speech Milestone
6-12 months	Babbles using different sounds, makes the sounds of certain words but without meaning, says the first word
12-18 months	Can speak 2-3 words (often without meaning), attempts to imitate words and sounds
18-24 months	Knows and uses up to 50 words, makes animal noises, names common and everyday objects
2-3 years	Uses 3-word sentences, begins to use pronouns and adjectives in speech

What are the main causes of speech delay?

• Hearing Impairment – This may be congenital and present at birth. Or it may develop after birth due to underlying health issues, rare diseases, or injury and trauma. Hearing checks should be included within infant and child developmental checks throughout a child’s first few years of life.
• Neglect or a lack of stimulation in a caring environment – Children who are not spoken to enough, and who do not receive adequate parental or attention from a guardian during their formative years may experience speech delay. This delay may be offset by support with speech and language learning.
• Premature birth – Prematurity at birth can be a potential cause of speech delay in a toddler or young child. Being born prematurely can affect different areas of an infant’s development, and often their development should be tracked from their due date and not their actual date of birth.
• A rare disease or genetic syndrome – Speech delay may sometimes be the sign or symptom of a rare disease. Angelman, Pitt-Hopkins, and Russell Silver syndrome are all present with speech delay. If a rare disease is suspected to cause speech delay in a child, a recommendation may be made for further assessment, including genetic counseling and analysis.
• Speech and language disorders – There are several speech and language disorders- autism and auditory processing disorder- that have speech delay as a feature.
• A physical condition – This can include damage or an impairment relating to the body’s parts required for speech. This could involve the palate or tongue or a short frenulum (the fold beneath the tongue).

Tracking your child’s speech development is important in understanding if they have a speech delay or not. Some children develop their speech later and need more time to meet their developmental milestones. Understanding the causes of speech delay in children is crucial for parents who are keen on supporting their child’s development effectively. While each child is unique and may develop independently, being aware of potential factors and seeking early intervention can make a significant difference.

FDNA’s Child Development Checker app helps parents assess and understand their child’s potential genetic concerns and developmental delays. It analyzes developmental concerns, identifies early, and offers access to experts for personalized guidance. This ensures parents take confident steps to address speech delays and support overall development.