Experts highlight recent warning signs indicating potential neurological issues in children with delayed speech, emphasising the importance of early diagnosis within the critical first three years.
A child who is slow to start talking does not automatically have a developmental disorder, but some warning signs should prompt a check-up with a neurologist, Natalia Ershova told KP.RU. Ershova said parents can often watch and wait until around age three if a child understands what is said, follows simple requests, is learning other skills on time and has not lost abilities already gained.
According to Ershova, family history also matters, as children in some families may begin speaking later than average. But she said there are clear signs that should not be ignored much earlier, including no cooing at three to four months, no babbling by eight months and no sign of understanding speech by 18 months.
She also pointed to regression as a particularly concerning symptom. If a child has already spoken and then stops, that change warrants attention. Other red flags include limited gestures, lack of eye contact even when words are present, walking on tiptoes after the age of two and a half, asymmetrical reflexes and frequent dropping of objects, all of which may suggest a neurological issue rather than a simple delay.
Pavel Berezhansky, a doctor cited by another Aif.ru report on speech delay, outlined a broader set of warning signs, including no babbling by six months, no simple words by one year and difficulty forming short phrases by two and a half years. He also noted problems following simple instructions, a very small vocabulary, weak imitation of adult speech and repeated use of memorised phrases, while stressing that some children do catch up within about six months.
By the age of three, Ershova said children should normally be stringing together phrases of three to four words, asking simple questions and being understood by people outside the family. If speech remains unclear, vocabulary barely grows over several months or hearing concerns arise, she advised checking hearing, arranging an EEG and consulting specialists without delay. Other Aif.ru reports on speech delay say the first three years are the most active period for language development, which is why experts urge families not to wait too long before seeking help.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
