Speech and language development varies from child to child, but there are key milestones that most children reach by certain ages. Missing these milestones may indicate a speech delay that benefits from early intervention.
Why early intervention matters
The first three years of life are the most critical period for speech and language development. Early therapy — ideally before age 3 — yields significantly better outcomes than treatment that begins later. If you have any concerns, it's always better to seek an assessment early rather than waiting to see if your child "catches up."
Key milestones by age
By 12 months
- Responds to their name
- Babbles with different sounds (ba, da, ma)
- Uses gestures like waving or pointing
- Says one or two words (mama, dada)
By 18 months
- Uses 10–20 words consistently
- Points to familiar objects when named
- Follows simple one-step instructions
By 24 months
- Combines two words ("more milk", "daddy go")
- Has a vocabulary of at least 50 words
- Strangers can understand about 50% of what they say
By 36 months
- Uses 3–4 word sentences
- Strangers can understand about 75% of speech
- Asks simple questions
When to seek an assessment
Seek an assessment if your child: has no words by 16 months, loses speech skills they previously had, doesn't respond to their name, or you have any concern at all about their communication development. A speech-language pathologist can assess your child and provide a clear picture within a single session.
Hearing first
Before a speech therapy assessment, a hearing test is recommended. Hearing loss is one of the most common causes of speech delay — and it's easily missed without a proper audiological evaluation.