Moxie Speech Therapy | August 2, 2025
Wondering if your child needs speech therapy? Learn 5 signs to watch for and how a speech-language evaluation can offer clarity—not overwhelm.
As a parent, it can be hard to know when to reach out to a speech therapist. Maybe you’ve been considering it for a while, but then your child made a big leap—and now you’re not so sure. Or perhaps someone made a subtle comment, and suddenly you’re wondering if you’ve been missing something.
As a speech-language pathologist, I hear this all the time in my work with families. It’s not always clear when your concerns are valid or when you might just be overthinking. My recommendation? Trust your gut. And know that seeking support doesn't mean you're overreacting—it means you're being proactive.
One of the benefits of returning to grad school for speech-language pathology after becoming a parent is that I’ve been on both sides. When my youngest was a toddler, I often wondered if her speech was on track. She had a big vocabulary for her age, but it was hard to understand her. I kept brushing it off, thinking maybe I was just worrying too much.
When she was around three, I started my SLP coursework, and suddenly, things clicked. I realized my concerns were valid, and getting her evaluated couldn’t hurt. Turns out, she qualified for speech therapy, and today, she’s a confident preteen who loves to talk.
That experience reminded me how hard it is to make these decisions without guidance. So, here are five signs your child may benefit from a speech-language evaluation—no second-guessing required.
1. Delayed Communication Milestones
Every child develops at their own pace, but here are some common benchmarks:
7–9 months: Babbles strings like babababa
10–12 months: Says first words like mama, dada, hi
13–18 months: Uses gestures (pointing, clapping), varied babbling
19–24 months: Understands and uses at least 50 words
2–3 years: Begins combining words (e.g., “more juice,” “go outside”)
Want a quick check-in? Try this milestone quiz from ASHA.
2. It’s Hard to Understand What They’re Saying
Speech intelligibility (how clearly your child is understood) improves with age. As a general guide:
By age 2: ~50% understood by unfamiliar listeners
By age 3: ~75%
By age 4: ~100%
Keep in mind these are general guidelines, not hard rules. If you find yourself often translating for your child and it’s not decreasing with age, or if speech difficulties are leading to increased frustration, it’s worth checking in with a speech therapist.
Sources: ASHA, JSLHR Intelligibility Study
3. Frequent Communication Frustration or Tantrums
As children become more independent, they want to communicate clearly. If they don’t have the words—or can’t make themselves understood—it can lead to frustrations and challenging behaviors. Speech therapy offers tools to reduce those breakdowns and build confidence.
4. Struggles with Social Interactions
Communication isn’t just about using words—it’s also about how we connect with others. Some children may need support developing the social aspects of communication. For example, a child who has difficulty with:
Using a variety of communicative intentions (e.g., requesting, protesting, commenting) — typically emerging around 12–18 months
Participating in simple back-and-forth exchanges — often developing around 18–24 months
Responding appropriately in conversation or maintaining longer dialogues — expected by ages 3–4
…may benefit from speech therapy focused on social communication skills.
Source: ASHA Social Communication Benchmarks
5. Reading or Writing Difficulties
Many people don’t realize that reading and writing are language-based skills. If your school-aged child struggles with:
Recognizing letters and sounds
Spelling or decoding
Understanding what they read
...a speech-language pathologist can help. We evaluate foundational language skills that support literacy, including sound awareness, vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.
What’s Next?
If you’ve been asking yourself “Should I reach out to someone about this?”—you’re not alone. And you're not overthinking. These signs aren’t definitive, but they’re a helpful starting point. A comprehensive speech-language evaluation can give you peace of mind and a clearer path forward.
At Moxie Speech Therapy, we’re here to help you understand your child’s communication needs—with clarity, not overwhelm. Trust your instincts. You know your child best.
Would you like help knowing whether an evaluation is right for your child? Contact Moxie Speech Therapy to schedule a free consultation or learn more about our services.
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