Does My Child Need Speech Therapy? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Many parents wonder, “Does my child need speech therapy?” The answer often lies in small details which—if noticed early—can make a big difference.

Below are signs related to speech, language, and communication difficulties. If your child shows one or more of the following, it’s a good idea to consult a speech and language therapist.

📍 Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore:

• Doesn’t always understand what you say or doesn’t respond to simple commands
  • Speech is unclear—only you can understand them, not others
  • Uses fewer words than other children their age
  • Doesn’t communicate effectively with others; doesn’t react to sounds or voices
  • Repeats movements, avoids eye contact, and resists social play
  • Speech doesn’t match the context of conversation or doesn’t respond to questions
  • Has trouble starting to speak, gets “stuck,” or repeats syllables
  • Has difficulties with reading and/or writing
  • Struggles with chewing or swallowing food (e.g., chews very slowly or vomits)

⚠️ Don’t wait for it to go away on its own. All difficulties are much easier to address when detected early.

Maria Lazarou
Speech and Language Therapist (SLP, BSc, M.A.)
Head of the Multidisciplinary Team, Evlogon