When to see a speech therapist?

It is worth consulting a speech therapist if your child:

  • does not babble
  • does not maintain eye contact
  • at around 9 months does not point with a finger
  • at around 12 months does not use even the simplest words (e.g., mama, dada)
  • at around 24 months does not combine two simple words (e.g., mama give, mama eat)
  • after 36 months speaks unclearly and is difficult to understand for others
  • at the age of 3 does not pronounce sounds: P, B, M, F, W, K, G, H, T, D, N, L, Ś, Ź, Ć, DŹ, Ń
  • at the age of 4 does not pronounce sounds: S, Z, C, DZ,
  • at the age of 5 does not pronounce sounds: SZ, Ż, CZ, DŻ
  • incorrectly pronounces certain sounds (e.g., says l instead of r, or s instead of sh
  • cannot distinguish between similar-sounding phonemes (e.g., t and d) and has difficulty pronouncing them correctly
  • does not respond to their name or to simple instructions (e.g., show me where the teddy bear’s eyes are)
  • pushes the tongue between the teeth while speaking
  • breathes through the mouth
  • has difficulties with chewing, biting, or swallowing