NIDCD Fact Sheet - Voice, Speech, and Language Speech and Language Developmental Milestones - Key guidance for milestones and when to seek help

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

NIDCD fact sheet explains how speech and language skills develop most intensely during the first three years, emphasizing early, consistent exposure to sounds and language. It describes critical periods, typical early communication signs, and a natural milestone progression from birth to age five. The guide distinguishes receptive and expressive language disorders from speech disorders, including apraxia of speech, and advises parents to consult a doctor and a speech-language pathologist when delays appear. It also summarizes ongoing NIDCD research and genetic and neuroplasticity findings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

How do speech and language develop?

What are the milestones for speech and language development?

Why milestones matter

What is the difference between a speech disorder and a language disorder?

What should I do if my child’s speech or language appears to be delayed?

What research is being conducted on developmental speech and language problems?

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ∙ National Institutes of Health NIDCD Fact Sheet | Voice, Speech, and Language Speech and Language Developmental Milestones How do speech and language develop? The first 3 years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills. These skills develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others. There appear to be critical periods for speech and language development in infants and young children when the brain is best able to absorb language. If these critical periods are allowed to pass without exposure to language, it will be more difficult to learn. What are the milestones for speech and language development? The first signs of communication occur when an infant learns that a cry will bring food, comfort, and companionship. Newborns also begin to recognize important sounds in their environment, such as the voice of their mother or primary caretaker. As they grow, babies begin to sort out the speech sounds that compose the words of their language. By 6 months of age, most babies recognize the basic sounds of their native language. Children vary in their development of speech and language skills. However, they follow a natural progression or timetable for mastering the skills of language. A checklist of milestones for the normal development of speech and language skills in children from birth to 5 years of age is included on the following pages. These milestones help doctors and other health professionals determine if a child is on track or if he or she may need extra help. Sometimes a delay may be caused by hearing loss, while other times it may be due to a speech or language disorder. What is the difference between a speech disorder and a language disorder? Children who have trouble understanding what others say (receptive language) or difficulty sharing their thoughts (expressive language) may have a language disorder. Specific language impairment (SLI) is a language disorder that delays the mastery of language skills. Some children with SLI may not begin to talk until their third or fourth year. Children who have trouble producing speech sounds correctly or who hesitate or stutter when talking may have a speech disorder. Apraxia of speech is a speech disorder that makes it difficult to put sounds and syllables together in the correct order to form words. What should I do if my child’s speech or language appears to be delayed? Talk to your child’s doctor if you have any concerns. Your doctor may refer you to a speech-language pathologist, whois a health professional trained to evaluate and treat people with speech or language disorders. The speech-language pathologist will talk to you about your child’s communication and general development. He or she will also use special spoken tests to evaluate your child. A hearing test is often included in the evaluation because a hearing problem can affect speech and language development. Depending on the result of the evaluation, the speech-language pathologist may suggest activities you can do at home to stimulate your NIDCD...Improving the lives of people with communication disorders child’s development. They might also recommend group or individual therapy or suggest further evaluation by an audiologist (a health care professional trained to identify and measure hearing loss), or a developmental psychologist (a health care professional with special expertise in the psychological development of infants and children) . What research is being conducted on developmental speech and language problems? The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) sponsors a broad range of research to better understand the development of speech and language disorders, improve diagnostic capabilities, and fine-tune more effective treatments. An ongoing area of s

FAQs

Why are the first three years considered the most intensive period for speech and language development?

During these years the brain is developing and maturing, and children acquire speech and language best in a setting rich in sounds, sights, and consistent exposure to others’ speech.

How can you tell a language disorder from a speech disorder?

A language disorder involves difficulty understanding others (receptive) or sharing thoughts (expressive). A speech disorder involves trouble producing speech sounds correctly, hesitation, or stuttering, and can include apraxia of speech.

What steps should be taken if a child’s speech or language seems delayed?

Discuss concerns with the child’s doctor, who may refer to a speech-language pathologist for evaluation, often including a hearing test. The specialist may recommend home activities, therapy, or further assessment based on results.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven