Language delay
Each child develops at their own pace. If your child does not speak as well as other children his age, this does not necessarily mean he has a problem.
It is normal for children 18 months to 3 years do not speak properly. Generally, they cease to pronounce certain sounds or certain words through between 2 ½ and 3 ½ years. It is also very common that small under 3 years sounds fail (saying, for example, 'pa' te '"instead of" floor ").
Over time, children become more understandable and better command of grammar when they speak. However, the following signs may indicate that their delay in language acquisition requires professional help:
Around 12 months, your child is still not certain actions, for example, it does not shake hands and do not shake your head.
Around 15 months he still can not pronounce simple words like "daddy".
Around 18 months he still does not understand simple commands like "Give me the ball."
Around two years, he still can not combine two words (like "Mom come").
Around three years, he can not even form sentences short and simple. Or when he talks, he mixes the sounds: he says, for example, "you're not dentil" instead of "it's not nice."
People who do not know him fail to understand, at least most of the time. A child should be understood by strangers in 50% of cases at 2 years in 75% of cases at 3 years and in almost all cases around 4 years.
His speech did not seem to correspond to his age, but rather that of a younger child.
If you notice these signs, do not neglect them: they could be a problem with language or hearing. Consult your child's doctor so that he sends you to an audiologist or a speech therapist, who will conduct an evaluation. You can also contact the College of Speech-Quebec.
The causes
If your little one language disorders, this does not mean he is less intelligent than other children his age. Intelligence is measured in different ways, and many factors that come into play are not related with language skills.
In most cases, we do not know what the problem. They may be genetic: for example, language problems are common in some families. Some children are born, simply, with less talent for language, just as others are born with less talent for music or sports.
In other cases, a hearing impairment (permanent hearing loss or, more often, hearing loss associated with ear infections) is causing the delay. Still others may not have had the opportunity to hear other people talk to them or to read stories quite often. More rarely, a language delay is due to other problems such as cleft palate, developmental disabilities such as autism or cerebral palsy.
The good news is that most delays in language development can be successfully treated, especially if the child is followed very early by a speech therapist.