Speech Delay Doctor in Hyderabad
No words at 12 months. Not combining words at 2 years. Speech delay is one of the most treatable developmental problems — when identified early.
Speech delay is the most frequent developmental concern that brings parents to a paediatrician in India. A child who is not meeting speech milestones deserves prompt evaluation — not reassurance to 'wait and see'. The causes of speech delay range from the completely benign (late talker) to conditions requiring urgent intervention (hearing loss, autism, intellectual disability). Dr. Sushma B systematically evaluates each child to identify the specific cause and guide appropriate intervention.
Key Points
- Normal speech milestones: 1 word by 12 months, 2-word phrases by 24 months, sentences by 36 months.
- Speech delay can be expressive (talking), receptive (understanding), or both — each has a different cause.
- Hearing loss is the first thing to rule out in any child with speech delay — audiometry is essential.
- Autism, intellectual disability, and selective mutism can all present as speech delay — accurate diagnosis matters.
- Early speech therapy (before age 5) achieves far better outcomes than waiting for the child to catch up.
50%
of speech delay cases have underlying hearing loss
Source: ASHA / IAP
Age 2
ideal time to start speech therapy for best outcomes
Source: AAP
Normal Speech Milestones vs Delay
Under 12 Months — Concern If:
No babbling by 9 months, no gestures (pointing, waving) by 12 months, not responding to name consistently by 10 months, no single words by 12 months.
12–24 Months — Concern If:
Fewer than 10 words by 18 months, no two-word combinations by 24 months, vocabulary not growing week by week, losing words that were previously used.
24–36 Months — Concern If:
Not yet forming 3-word sentences, speech not understandable to strangers, not asking questions by 36 months, family understanding most of what the child says but outsiders cannot.
Red Flags at Any Age
Loss of previously acquired words (regression) is always a red flag, regardless of age. Also: lack of gesture pointing, not responding to their name, no pretend play by 18 months.
Screen Time and Language
Screen time does not cause autism but can delay language development when it replaces direct interactive communication with caregivers. WHO recommends zero screen time under 2 years.
Speech Delay Assessment at Sri Anand
Hearing Test First
Hearing loss is the commonest, most treatable cause of speech delay. We always arrange audiological evaluation as the first step — because treating hearing loss resolves the speech delay.
Autism Screening
M-CHAT-R screening tool, direct observation of social behaviour, eye contact, gesture use, and response to name — to identify or exclude autism spectrum disorder as a cause.
Cognitive and Language Assessment
Assessment of receptive language (understanding) vs expressive language (talking) — children who understand language but do not talk have a different cause and trajectory than those with both impaired.
Speech Therapy Referral
Direct referral to speech and language therapists in Hyderabad, with a detailed referral letter characterising the child's language profile to guide targeted therapy.
Parent Language Stimulation Guidance
Research consistently shows that what parents do at home is as important as speech therapy. We provide specific, practical guidance on language stimulation — talking, reading, singing, and responsive interaction.
Why Choose Sri Anand Hospital?
Treated by: Dr. Sushma B · MD (Paediatrics) · Child Development Specialist
"I always tell parents who are worried about speech delay: do not wait. The brain is most plastic in the early years. Six months of the right speech therapy at age 2 can make a bigger difference than two years of therapy started at age 5."
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Sri Anand Child & Neuro Hospital · Open 24/7 · Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad