Use the following charts to help recognize signs of speech, language, and hearing disorders and find the
help needed to address these disorders.
Signs of a Language Disorder
| Age Range | Sign |
| 2 – 3 months and up | does not smile/interact with others |
| 4 – 7 months | does not babble (“bababa”) |
| 7 – 12 months | very few sounds or gestures (pointing) |
| 7 months – 2 years | poor comprehension of what others say |
| 1 1/2 – 2 years | all speech is difficult for familiar listeners to understand |
| 1 1/2 – 3 years | does not combine words into sentences |
| 2 – 3 years | difficulty talking to and playing with peers |
| 2 1/2 – 3 years | difficulty with early literacy and pre-writing skills |
Signs of a Speech Sound Disorder
| Age Range | Sign |
| by age 3 | incorrect production of early sounds /p,b,m,h, w/ in words |
| by age 4 | incorrect production of /k,g,f,t,d,n/ in words |
| by age 5 | speech is unclear, even to familiar listeners |
Signs of a Stuttering Disorder
| Age Range | Sign |
| 2 1/2 – 3 years | difficulty producing sounds or words |
| 2 1/2 – 3 years | repeats the first sound of words (b-b-b-baby for “baby”) |
| 2 1/2 – 3 years | frequent pauses of silence when talking |
| 2 1/2 – 3 years | stretching sounds out while talking (sssss-silly for “silly”) |
Signs of a Voice Disorder
| Age Range | Sign |
| any age | hoarse- or breathy-sounding voice |
| any age | nasal quality to voice |
Signs of a Hearing Problem
| Age Range | Sign |
| birth – 1 year | poor attention to sounds in the environment |
| 7 months – 1 year | does not respond when name is called |
| 1 – 2 years | difficulty following simple directions |
| birth – 3 years | delays in speech and/or language development |
| any age | scratching or pulling at ears |
| school-age | limited academic progress, especially math and/or reading |
| school-age | social isolation and unhappiness at school |
| school-age | discomfort in ears after exposure to loud noise |
If you think your child may have problems with speech, language, or hearing…
Do not hesitate to ask your child’s pediatrician about an evaluation from a certified Medical Support Services Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist. If your child is school-age, discuss your concerns with his/her teacher. Identifying a communication disorder early plays a key role in how soon effective and appropriate treatment can take place. For any questions, give us a call at (262) 287-0090.