How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?

If you are concerned about your child's communication development, they may need speech therapy if they are not meeting age-appropriate speech and language milestones or are experiencing significant frustration when trying to communicate. Early intervention is crucial for better long-term outcomes in speech and language development.

Trust your instincts as a parent; if you have concerns about your child's speech, language, or communication skills, it is always best to seek a professional evaluation. In British Columbia, families with children aged 0-5 can self-refer for free speech-language pathology (SLP) services through their local public health unit or child development centre by contacting their regional health authority, such as Vancouver Coastal Health or Fraser Health. Key red flags include no babbling by 12 months, not using single words by 18 months, not combining two words by age two, or if strangers cannot understand your child's speech by age three. Due to potential wait times for public services, many families opt to access private speech therapy to begin support sooner.