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National Speech-Language-Hearing Month - Identify the Signs
by Abby Sakovich M.S., CCC-SLP
May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about communication disorders and the professionals who treat them. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) campaign, Identify the Signs, seeks to help parents recognize signs of speech, language, and hearing disorders and find the help needed to address these disorders.
Signs of a Language Disorder
Age Range Sign
• birth and older does not smile/interact with others
• 4-6 months does not babble ("bababa")
• 7-9 months very few sounds or gestures (pointing)
• 10 months - 2 years poor comprehension of what others say
• 19 months - 2 years says only a few words
• 19 moths - 3 years does not combine words into sentences
• 3 - 4 years speech is difficult for listeners to understand
• 4 -5 years difficulty with early literacy and pre-writing skills
Signs of a Speech Sound Disorder
Age Range Sign
• 2 - 3 years incorrect production of early sounds /p,b,m,h, w/ in words
• 3 - 4 years incorrect production of /k,g,f,t,d,n/ in words
• 2 - 3 years speech is unclear, even to familiar listeners
Signs of a Stuttering Disorder
Age Range Sign
• any age repeats the first sound of words (b-b-b-baby for “baby”)
• any age stretches sounds out while talking (sssss-silly for “silly”)
• any age shows frustration when trying to get words out
Signs of a Voice Disorder
Age Range Sign
• any age hoarse- or breathy-sounding voice
• any age nasal quality to voice
• any age effortful or strained voice
Signs of a Hearing Problem
Age Range Sign
• birth - 3 months poor attention to sounds in the environment
• 7 months - 9 months does not respond when name is called
• 13 - 18 months difficulty following simple directions
• birth - 3 years delays in speech and/or language development
• any age scratching or pulling at ears
• school-age limited academic progress, especially math and/or reading
• school-age social isolation and unhappiness at school
• any age discomfort in ears after exposure to loud noise
If you think your child may have problems with speech, language, or hearing…
Do not hesitate to ask your child's pediatrician about an evaluation from a certified Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist. If your child is school-age, discuss your concerns with his/her teacher. Identifying a communication disorder early plays a key role in how soon effective and appropriate treatment can take place.
Resources
Know the Signs of Speech & Language Disorders by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Retrieved 5/13/2025 from www.identifythesigns.org
Know the Signs of Hearing Loss by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Retrieved 5/13/2025 from www.identifythesigns.org
 
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