What Is The Best Age To Start Speech Therapy?
What Age is Best for Speech Therapy?
Starting in the first few months of life, children begin developing the communication skills that will be the building blocks to help them succeed at home, in school, and later in life. Studies have shown that approximately 1 in 14 (7.2%) U.S. children ages 3-17 have had a disorder related to voice, speech, or language in the past 12 months.
Without proper support and guidance, a child may struggle with basic speech and language skills, and eventually, their ability to read and write. This can also negatively affect their interactions with other children. Early intervention with a speech-language pathologist offers the best outcome for children who may have a speech or language delay or other conditions that affect their communication skills.
So, what is the best age to start speech therapy? That’s a question that many parents (and other adults) ask. The short answer is: whenever you first notice a potential issue. While early intervention delivers some of the strongest benefits, it is never too late to start speech therapy, and improvements are possible at any age.
You can learn more about how speech therapy can help a child develop age-appropriate speech and language skills by scheduling your free introductory call today.
At What Age Should You Worry About a Child Not Talking?
While there are some speech and language milestones that children should be meeting at specific ages, it is important to note that children develop at different rates, and skills can be acquired at varying rates and orders. Just because your child may not have met all these milestones by the respective age does not mean that your child has a speech or language delay. However, if you are concerned about your child’s development at all, it is best to seek support from a speech-language pathologist right away. Delaying seeking appropriate support and resources for your child could only result in them falling further behind and losing time that cannot be replaced.
It can be tempting to use a “wait and see” approach when you are not sure whether to worry, but waiting too long can also mean missed opportunities for early gains. The earlier a speech delay is identified, the more effective the intervention often is. Taking action early also helps reduce frustration for both the child and their caregivers. We have a great blog on this topic as well - Child Speech Development: How Early Can You Start Speech Therapy?
The First Year
So what are some of the developmental norms for speech and language development in young children? Over the course of their first year, children should be observed to see how and if they are using their voices to interact with and relate to their environment. Babbling and cooing are the earliest stages of sound production and speech development. As children get older, sometime around the 9-month mark, they begin to piece sounds together, incorporate different tones of speech, and may start saying words like “Mama” and “Dada” though they may not know the meaning of these words yet.
By their first birthday, babies should also be attentive to sounds in general and begin to recognize names of common objects such as ‘cup’ or ‘bed.’ They should also be able to recognize and respond to their names. Babies who watch others with intention, but aren’t reacting to sound, could be showing signs of hearing loss.
During those first 12 months, the brain is incredibly malleable and open to new experiences and learning. If you notice that your baby has not started to babble, coo, or produce letter sounds by their first birthday, it may be beneficial to seek the help and advice of a speech-language pathologist. Non-verbal behaviors such as limited eye contact or lack of gestures may also be warning signs of a delay.
What is the earliest you could start speech therapy? In many cases, early screening (even before first words come) can help set a supportive foundation. A combined effort of play-based speech therapy and parent coaching can foster better early communication.
After Their First Birthday (Ages 1-2)
In the six months after their first birthday, children should be developing a wide range of speech sounds in their babbling, specifically, the p, b, m, d, and n letter sounds. They should also begin to imitate sounds and words demonstrated by family members and caregivers, and can typically say one or several words other than “Mama” and “Dada.” In most cases, nouns come first, such as “dog” or “ball”.
From 18-24 months, children can develop in a variety of degrees. Most toddlers of this age are saying about 20 words and as many as 50 or more words by the time they turn two. By their second birthday, children are starting to combine words together to make two-word concepts such as “dog barking” or “more please”. Most two-year-olds should be able to identify common objects and should also be able to point to their facial features when asked.
This is also a time when signs of a speech delay by age become more visible. For example, a child having fewer than 20 words by 18 months, or not combining any words by 24 months are common warning signs. In addition, if they seem hesitant to imitate sounds, struggle with basic consonant sounds, or only use gestures instead of words, it is worth seeking an evaluation with an SLP.
Speech therapy at this age often focuses on building vocabulary, encouraging word combinations, and strengthening comprehension. Parent involvement is still incredibly important at this age. Parents and caregivers can continue to foster their child’s speech development in their everyday lives.
By Age 3
Between the ages of two and three, major developments are happening with speech and language skills. Most toddlers’ vocabulary will increase to too many words to count, and they should routinely combine three or more words. Comprehension skills are also developing at this age, and children should be able to follow 2 or 3 step directions, such as “please take this and put it on the table.”
This is the time when children often go through a language explosion. Their vocabulary is expanding at a fast rate, and they begin to use more complex sentences, and gaps are often easier to notice for those who are falling behind their peers.
If your child reaches the age of 3 without meeting some of the appropriate milestones or significant development in their speech and language skills, they would likely benefit from speech therapy. Speech therapy for 3-year-olds may also include social-communication goals, not just work on vocabulary. The SLP may help your child with asking questions, telling simple stories, and engaging in pretend play with their peers. It is best to seek help from an SLP before the child becomes school-aged, as they often fall further behind once they enter the school system.
What Age is Best for Speech Therapy? What Age is Too Old for Speech Therapy?
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are experts in working with people of all ages and are experienced in working with children as young as 6 months old and adults who are well into their senior years. While early intervention offers the best outcome when it comes to helping someone with a speech or language disorder, speech therapy can be highly effective and beneficial for adults as well. No age is too old for speech therapy, and it is never too late to start working towards meeting your communication goals. Improving your speech, language, and communication skills can benefit someone of any age and can help you to excel in all areas of your life and boost your confidence.
The question “when is the best age to start speech therapy?” is not as simple as a number. The right time is when a concern is first noticed, whether by themselves, parents, teachers, or healthcare professionals.
People also often wonder: Is it ever too late to start speech therapy?. The answer is no. Adults and even seniors can benefit from speech therapy. There is no age limit. In fact, starting later can have its own advantages. Older children and adults often have greater insight into their communication challenges. They also tend to have more motivation and the ability to practice more independently. This makes success not just possible, but realistic.
There are many reasons why adults may seek help from a speech therapist. From working on public speaking, recovering from a stroke, or navigating a speech disorder, significant progress can be made regardless of age.
The best age for speech therapy is the age at which one (or their loved one) seeks out help from an experienced and knowledgeable speech and language pathologist. And now, with speech therapy online, making time with a speech therapist is easier, more enjoyable, and more convenient than ever. Don’t wait any longer, get started by scheduling your free introductory call with Great Speech today!
Why Early Intervention Matters and Why Late Intervention Isn’t Necessarily a Block
There are many reasons why people often stress early speech therapy. The first few years of a child’s life are a critical period for brain development. At birth, the average baby’s brain is only a quarter of the size of the average adult brain. In their first year, their brains double in size! By the age of 3, it’s about 80% of its full adult size, and 90% its full size by age 5. Because of this tremendous growth, research and clinical experience show that early therapy can lead to faster gains, fewer long-term challenges, and greater confidence.
With that said, it is important to note that delaying therapy does not mean that the opportunity for catching up is lost. Whether someone starts speech therapy at age 2, 12, or 60, meaningful progress is possible.
For children, therapy can help catch up on missed milestones, support school readiness, and prevent frustration and behavior issues. For teens and adults, therapy can target public speaking, voice control, clarity, and social communication skills. It can also help to rebuild skills after injury, illness, or neurological conditions.
What to expect during a speech evaluation
One of the most common questions we get asked is: What can I expect during a speech evaluation?
The first step is to schedule your introductory call (It’s FREE). During that first call, we will discuss medical history, developmental history, and your concerns. We will ask about when these concerns began, what you’ve noticed, and how they affect daily life.
For young children, much of the evaluation happens through play and observation. The therapist watches how they play, vocalize, respond to prompts, and interact socially. For older children and adults, evaluation often involves conversation and various assessments.
There are a variety of assessments that may be included in a speech evaluation. These assessments may target:
- Articulation (speech sounds)
- Receptive language
- Expressive language
- Social communication skills
- Oral-Motor (how the lips, tongue, and jaw move. This helps determine if there is a physical reason for the concerns),
After the assessment, the SLP will gather all of the feedback received and determine the next steps. From there, they develop a personalized therapy plan that fits the person’s specific needs and goals.
Knowing what to expect during a speech evaluation can help you feel more confident and prepared. At Great Speech, our therapy model is completely virtual! This means greater flexibility with no need to travel.
Let’s Work Together
When wondering what the best age to start speech therapy is, remember that it’s not just about age, but about recognizing when help is needed.
Communication is something that we all rely on every single day. Starting therapy when the time feels right can make a meaningful, lasting difference for people of all ages. If you believe that you or your loved one can benefit from speech therapy, the best time to begin is now. Book an appointment today.