When Will My Child Speak? Speech Delay Indicators in Morocco
Is your child experiencing a delay in speech? Discover the key indicators, when to consult a specialist, and the services provided by the Universal Healthy Brain Center in Temara.
When Will My Child Speak? Speech Delay Indicators in Morocco
By Dr. Khaoula Memmad — Universal Healthy Brain Center (UHBC)
Every mother and father watches their little one, eagerly expecting that very first word. For some children, speech development takes a bit longer than others — and in many cases, this is normal.
But how do we know if the delay is normal or if it requires specialist intervention?
In this article, I will explain to you in a simple and direct way:
- What is speech delay?
- What are the signs that indicate you should consult a specialist?
- What services are offered by the Universal Healthy Brain Center?
📌 What is Speech Delay?
Speech delay is a condition where a child finds it difficult to express themselves through speech compared to children of the same age.
Important: Speech delay is different from a speech disorder. Speech delay means that speech isn't developing at the expected rate, whereas a speech disorder may have other causes such as hearing problems or nervous system issues.
🔍 Speech Delay Indicators by Age
0 to 12 Months
| Sign | Details |
|---|---|
| No reaction to sounds | Does not react to the mother's voice or sound-emitting toys |
| No babbling | Does not make simple sounds like "oh" or "ah" |
| No understanding of speech | Does not seem to understand even simple commands like "come" |
12 to 18 Months
| Sign | Details |
|---|---|
| No words spoken | By 18 months, an average child speaks at least 10-15 words |
| No use of gestures | Does not use hands or head movements to communicate |
| No attempt to imitate speech | Does not try to repeat simple words |
18 to 24 Months
| Sign | Details |
|---|---|
| Vocabulary less than 50 words | Does not have at least 50 words |
| No two-word sentences | Does not attempt to combine two words |
| Cannot identify body parts | Does not respond to requests like "show me your foot" |
2 to 3 Years
| Sign | Details |
|---|---|
| Cannot form simple sentences | Does not say phrases like "I want water" |
| Speech is unintelligible | Even close family members cannot understand the child's speech |
| Does not ask questions | Does not try to ask things like "What is this?" |
⚠️ When Should You Visit a Specialist?
If you notice one or more of these signs, do not wait for a consultation:
- At 12 months and speaks no words
- At 18 months and has fewer than 10 words
- At 2 years and cannot say two-word sentences
- At 3 years and even parents cannot understand the speech
- Loss of previously acquired skills — if the child was speaking and then stopped
- Difficulty swallowing or understanding
🤔 What Causes Speech Delay?
1. Hearing Problems 👂
If a child cannot hear correctly, they will not be able to imitate speech.
2. Oral Structural Issues
Some children have issues with the frenulum under the tongue or the roof of the mouth.
3. Autism Spectrum Disorder
Speech delay can be associated with social communication difficulties.
4. General Developmental Delay
This can also affect language development.
5. Environmental Factors
- Screens
- Lack of interaction
- Multilingualism
💡 Advice for Parents
- Do not compare your child to others
- Speak with them constantly
- Read to them daily
- Reduce screen time
