5 Signs Your Child May Benefit from Speech Therapy

As a parent, it’s natural to wonder if your child’s communication is on track. Some kids seem to pick up words and sentences effortlessly, while others take a little longer. Every child develops at their own pace, but sometimes delays or difficulties can benefit from extra support. Speech therapy can make a big difference in helping kids feel confident, connected, and understood.

Here are five common signs your child may benefit from speech therapy:

1. Your Child Is a Late Talker or Has a Limited Vocabulary

By around 18 months, many children use 10–20 words, and by age 2 they may start combining words into short phrases. If your child isn’t using many words, is very quiet, or isn’t progressing in vocabulary, speech therapy can help support language growth and give them tools to express themselves.

Source: Devt Milestones Table (B-6y) PIR (Jan2016).msg.pdf

2. Their Speech Is Hard to Understand

It’s normal for toddlers to make speech errors — after all, speech is a complex skill! But if your child is consistently difficult for even family members to understand after age 3, or if teachers and peers can’t follow what they’re saying, therapy can help improve clarity. This might include support with articulation (making sounds correctly) or phonological awareness (understanding sound patterns).

3. They Struggle to Understand Directions

Receptive language (understanding what others say) is just as important as expressive language (what your child says). If your child has trouble following directions, answering questions, or understanding new words and concepts, a speech-language pathologist can help strengthen comprehension skills so communication feels easier and less frustrating.

4. Communication Leads to Frustration

When children can’t express their needs or make themselves understood, they may act out, withdraw, or have frequent meltdowns. Speech therapy gives kids tools to communicate successfully, which often reduces frustration for both the child and the family. Even small improvements in communication can make everyday routines — mealtimes, play, bedtime — smoother and more enjoyable.

5. Social Interaction Is Difficult

Communication is about more than words — it’s also about connecting with others. If your child avoids talking, struggles with turn-taking in conversations, or finds it hard to engage in play with peers, therapy can help develop social communication skills. These skills are vital for building friendships, participating in school, and feeling confident in group settings.

Why Early Support Matters

Speech and language challenges don’t always go away on their own. Early support can make progress faster, easier, and longer-lasting. Speech therapy not only helps your child’s communication, but also strengthens confidence, learning, and relationships.

• The brain is most “plastic” (moldable) in the first few years, meaning early intervention is more likely to yield strong, lasting improvements. idrpp.usu.edu+1

• Research shows that children who get early intervention in speech/language grow more rapidly and often need less intensive support later. PMC+

• Early support also boosts school readiness, social skills, and emotional well-being for the whole family. idrpp.usu.edu+1

Next Steps

If you see any of these signs in your child, you don’t have to wait and wonder. At Coeur Speech Therapy Collective, we specialize in helping children thrive through personalized speech, language, and myofunctional therapy. Our approach looks at the whole child and provides tools for both kids and parents to feel successful.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how we can support your child’s communication journey.