Worrying signs when your baby is slow to speak

Article written by Speech Pathologist - Au Thi Hoa, Cell Therapy Center, Department of Regenerative Medicine - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

For parents, nothing is more precious than having their children healthy and growing every day. We always want the best for our children. If so, don't be subjective when your child is slow to speak, don't think "I'll always be able to talk sooner or later" or "In the past, father A/Uncle X was also slow to speak".

Need to pay more attention when the baby is slow to speak with the following signs:
The child has no babbling sounds by 12 months, cannot say a single word at 16 months or cannot say 2 meaningful words by 24 months. Children often imitate words or say meaningless sounds, repeating sounds and words over and over. Children are less proactive/avoid eye contact with others.

The child does not respond appropriately to friendly hugs and holding hands. The child does not respond when called by name such as turning around, looking for a sound source, pausing an activity in play. Children are very limited in imitation. Children like to play alone, difficult to participate in play activities, poor playing skills, stereotyped. Children have difficulty adapting to changes such as playing with toys, changing foods, changing daily walks... Children have repetitive behaviors such as spinning objects, walking on tiptoe heels, glances, likes to smell/lick things,... Children reduce pain sensation, like to climb. Children say jumbled sentences, out of order. Children do not express their needs verbally. Children have difficulty finding words to express themselves. Children are limited in the use of gestures, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions in communication. Children after the age of 4 slur the first consonants, rhymes or accents. The fact that children have some of the above signs is a matter of concern. Parents should take their children to reputable facilities to accurately assess the child's condition.