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Speech delay means a child develops spoken language more slowly than expected for their age.
They may understand language well but struggle to use words, sounds, or sentences.
Speech delay is common in early childhood and often improves with targeted support, though in some cases it can indicate an underlying speech or language disorder.
Children with speech delay may:
Check signs of speech delay
Learn what to look for if your child is slow to start speaking.
Speech delay may be caused or influenced by:
Early assessment is important to rule out underlying causes.
Learn what causes speech delay
Understand developmental and environmental factors that affect speech.
A Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) can assess a child’s speech development through:
The therapist will create a support plan with activities to build vocabulary, articulation, and confidence.
Nurseries and schools can help by:
If the delay is significant, SEN support or an EHCP may include speech and language therapy.
Helpful approaches include:
