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You can spot speech and language issues at home by tracking key milestones and observing daily interactions—no special tools needed.
Age-Based Red Flags
Use this checklist during play, meals, or reading:
Birth to 6 Months
No smiling, cooing, or laughing for 4 months.
No response to sounds or your voice by 6 months.
Limited babbling (e.g., “ba-ba”).
7-12 Months
No gestures like waving bye-bye or pointing by 12 months.
No first words (e.g., “mama,” “dada”) or imitation of sounds.
Ignore you when you call their name.
13-18 Months
Fewer than 10-20 words by 18 months.
No pointing to objects when named (e.g., “Where’s the ball?).
Prefers gestures over trying words.
19-24 Months
No 2-word phrases (e.g., “more milk”) by 24 months.
Under 50 words total; hard to understand 50% of speech.
Doesn’t follow simple directions like “Give me the toy.”
2-3 Years
Sentences shorter than 3 words; unclear speech (strangers understand <75%).
Doesn’t answer “What’s that?” or name pictures.
Repeats sounds/words often (stuttering beyond excitement).
Quick Home Tests
Point and name: Show toys/book pictures—do they point or name them?
Follow instructions: Say “Clap hands” or “Find the red ball”—success rate?
Imitation game: Make sounds (“moo,” “vroom”)—do they copy?
Watch for behavior: Repetitive act, Tantrums, Maladaptive behavior:- Hitting, Throwing, Head banging
Turn-taking: During play, pause and wait—do they respond with words/gestures? Also monitor attention span.
Next Steps
If 2+ red flags match, consult your Occupational Therapist & Speech therapist for a free screening (eg Dr Garg Therapy & Mind Clinic Indore (India) . Early therapy resolves 70-80% of cases. Boost skills now: Narrate everything (“Ball goes up!”), read daily, limit screens, and respond to every babble.
