Signs, Milestones and When to Seek Help

Many parents begin to worry when their child isn’t talking as much as expected. You might be wondering:
Is this a speech delay? A language delay? A late talker? Or just a normal developmental variation?

It’s completely natural to feel unsure. When your child isn’t communicating the way you expected, it can be hard to know what’s typical and what might need support. The reassuring news is that these differences are common, and with the right guidance, children make wonderful progress.

At Sprout Learning, our paediatric speech pathologists in Point Cook support families across Melbourne’s West to better understand their child’s communication, feel empowered with knowledge, and take confident next steps when needed.

Every child develops at their own pace — but knowing what to look for helps you recognise when extra support may be helpful.

A language delay refers to difficulty understanding and/or using words, sentences and concepts.

Language includes:

• Vocabulary

• Grammar and sentence structure

• Following instructions

• Expressing ideas

• Understanding questions

There are two main types:

Expressive Language Delay

When a child struggles to use words and sentences.
They may have:

• A limited vocabulary

• Difficulty combining words by age two

• Short or simple sentences for their age

Receptive Language Delay

When a child has difficulty understanding language.
This may look like:

• Not following simple directions

• Appearing confused when spoken to

• Difficulty answering questions

Unlike speech delay, language delay affects the content, meaning and structure of communication.

Speech Delay

Difficulty producing sounds clearly

Words may be hard to understand

Child knows what they want to say

Some children experience both, which is why a professional assessment can be extremely helpful.

Every child progresses at their own pace, but general milestones can help guide whether development is on track.

By 12 Months

• Babbling with different sounds

• Responding to their name

• Using gestures (waving, pointing)

• Saying 1–2 words

By 18 Months

• Around 20+ words

• Following simple instructions

• Pointing to objects when named

By 2 Years

• Around 100 words

• Combining two words (“more milk”)

• About 50% understandable to familiar adults

By 3 Years

• Speaking in short sentences

• Asking simple questions

• Mostly understood by familiar listeners

Other factors that may indicate a delay

Consider seeking support if your child:

• Was very quiet as an infant

• Has had frequent ear infections

• Uses limited consonant sounds

• Struggles with pretend or functional play

• Doesn’t copy (imitate) sounds or words

• Uses mostly nouns, very few action words

• Has difficulty engaging in typical play

• Has a family history of communication challenges

You may wish to seek support if your child:

• Isn’t using words by 18 months

• Isn’t combining two words by 2 years

• Is very hard to understand

• Shows frustration when communicating

• Struggles to follow simple directions

• Has limited eye contact or social engagement

Parents are often told to “wait and see”. While some children do catch up, early support helps children learn new skills sooner and prevents challenges from compounding over time.

You may consider booking an assessment if you:

• Feel unsure whether development is typical

• Notice your child becoming frustrated or withdrawn

• Have a family history of speech/language difficulties

• Simply want peace of mind

Trust your instincts — you know your child best.

Before beginning therapy, it’s also important to:

• Check your child’s hearing (even slight hearing loss can affect speech)

• Talk to a paediatric speech pathologist about your concerns

• Remember you’re not alone and support is available

At Sprout Learning, our approach is:

• Evidence-based

• Play-focused

• Family-centred

An assessment explores:

• Speech sound development

• Vocabulary and grammar

• Understanding of language

• Social communication skills

From here, we create an individualised plan tailored to your child’s strengths and needs.

For younger children, therapy often includes:

• Play-based learning

• Parent coaching

• Simple strategies embedded into everyday routines

Parents are powerful partners in progress, and we support you every step of the way.

Prognosis for Language Delays

With early support, children with language delays often make excellent progress. Research shows that intervention before age three greatly boosts outcomes.

Communicate with your child

Model clear words, expand on what they say, and encourage imitation.

Read together daily

Books build vocabulary, attention, imagination and early literacy skills.

Use everyday routines

Talk through your day — naming items, describing actions, pointing out sounds, textures and colours.

Follow your child’s lead

Join in their play, comment on what they’re doing, and create shared moments of connection.

Create a rich language environment

Singing, chatting, playing and reading all stimulate language growth.

Small, consistent moments create big developmental gains.

If you’re concerned about a possible speech or language delay, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Our paediatric speech pathologists in Point Cook support families across Melbourne’s West with:

• In-clinic assessments

• Play-based toddler therapy

• School-based visits

• Telehealth options

If you’d like clarity, guidance, and gentle support, we’re here to help.

Book an appointment today and let’s support your child to communicate with confidence.