Parent question

Does my child need speech therapy?

Published 21 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026

The short answer

If you’re wondering, it’s reasonable to ask now. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) says getting help early is better than waiting. Common reasons to see a speech-language pathologist (SLP) are that people find your child hard to understand, they still swap or leave out sounds past the age most children say them, or talking frustrates them.

Signs worth asking about

People who know your child well still find them hard to understand at 2 to 3 years old.
Unfamiliar people understand less than about half of what your child says at 4, or less than about three-quarters at 5. How clear should my child’s speech be?
Your child swaps sounds (“wabbit” for rabbit), leaves them out (“nana” for banana) or adds extra ones (“buh-lue” for blue) past the age most children have moved on. See when kids learn each sound.
Your child avoids talking, gets upset when they aren’t understood, or is teased about how they speak.
Your child has fewer than about 50 words at 2, or isn’t putting two words together by around 2. These are language signs, and they’re worth asking about too.

How common speech sound difficulties are

Very common. The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that 8 to 9% of young children have a speech sound disorder. Most children grow into their sounds, but some don’t without help: a large UK study found persistent speech sound difficulties in about 3.6% of 8-year-olds.

Who to ask

You can go straight to a certified SLP (find one through ASHA ProFind) or start with your child’s doctor. In the US, you don’t need a doctor’s referral to ask for a free evaluation through early intervention (under 3) or your public school (3 and up). How to get a free speech evaluation.

Milestone lists, including the ones on this site, aren’t screening tests. They’re a guide for when to ask, and you never need to wait for a set age if you’re worried.

Questions parents ask

Will my child grow out of it?

Many children do, because speech sounds develop gradually up to about age 7. But some difficulties last without help, and an SLP can tell you whether to wait or start therapy. Asking early doesn’t commit you to anything.

Is it too early to ask about a 2- or 3-year-old?

No. ASHA lists warning signs from age 1, and early intervention in the US serves children from birth to 3. Getting help early is better than waiting.

Does my child need a diagnosis first?

No. An SLP evaluation is how difficulties are identified in the first place. You can ask for one whenever you’re concerned.