Does my child need speech therapy?

Parents often find it difficult to determine if their child is speech delayed. We all know the story of “Cousin Johnny” who didn’t say a word at age two but suddenly spoke in full sentences at age three. But is that the norm? “Speech therapy for toddlers and children is not uncommon,” explains Jeanette Podolsky, a Speech-Language Pathologist and the Clinical Director at The Speech Therapy Centres of Canada Ltd. “Knowing the milestones can help in early detection of a speech delay.”

“Knowing what to look for can make a huge difference in a child’s language development,” explains Podolsky. “If you are concerned, ask your doctor, child’s teacher or caregiver. Or consult a speech-language therapist in your area."

Here are key milestones your child should be reaching.