Skip to main content

What causes speech delays in toddlers? Here’s what might be going on

Between 10 and 20 percent of two-year-olds are behind with speech, but what causes speech delays in toddlers? There are many different causes, and your first step should always be asking your child’s pediatrician about any of your concerns. If you do suspect that your toddler has a speech delay, don’t panic and assume there is some serious problem.

Your child’s doctor will be able to diagnose what’s really going on. In the meantime, if you’re doing your own research while you wait for your appointment, here are six common causes of toddler speech delays.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What causes speech delays in toddlers?

A speech delay can be caused by many different reasons. Finding out the cause is important to figure out how to treat it. Some causes are physical, some are intellectual, some are neurological, and so on. Here are some of the main causes:

Kids are on their own timeline

Some kids just meet milestones at their own pace and that’s OK. Not every speech delay is caused by a disorder that needs treatment. Sometimes kids will catch up on their own and will just focus on physical or emotional development instead of verbal development for a bit.

Babies born prematurely understandably may take a bit longer with many developmental milestones, and speech is no different. Premature birth can sometimes cause developmental delays, and the treatment is often patience and time.

Tongue-tie

The small bit of skin that connects the bottom of the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is sometimes too tight causing difficulty with moving the tongue like it should be able to. It’s a condition that kids are born with called ankyloglossia, better known as a tongue-tie. A simple procedure can cut this skin so the tongue is free to move as it needs to for proper speech and eating.

Tongue ties are often caught in infancy because they can cause difficulty with a breastfeeding latch or, less often, with drinking from a bottle. If they aren’t corrected in infancy, they can cause trouble with speech and eating later on. Your pediatrician can refer you to an ENT doctor for this diagnosis and corrective procedure.

Childhood apraxia of speech

One physical disorder that can cause a speech delay is childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). This disorder doesn’t affect language comprehension or nonverbal communication, but it makes it hard for the child to form sounds in the right order to make words. They’ll know what to say but can’t get it out because their brain isn’t sending the right signals to the mouth.

For this diagnosis and treatment, you would see a speech-language pathologist. This isn’t a disorder children outgrow without treatment, sometimes as many as therapy sessions five days a week.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hearing issues

If you can’t hear language, you’ll have trouble verbalizing it. Have your child’s hearing tested if you are unsure of the cause of their speech delay. Sometimes the hearing loss is so subtle that a speech delay is the only sign.

Ear infections, especially chronic ones, can cause hearing issues that can lead to speech delay. Talk to your child’s pediatrician about treatment for frequent ear infections if that’s an issue for your child.

Autism spectrum disorder

Speech and language issues are a common sign of autism. Other language-related signs include speech regression, difficulty with nonverbal communication in addition to verbal communication, and repeating phrases. Talk to your pediatrician if you think you’re seeing other signs of autism in your child like avoiding eye contact, not showing facial expressions, not looking where you point, not showing much interest in other kids, constant repetition, flapping hands, rocking body, hyperactivity, and others. These signs have usually appeared in a child by their second birthday.

Neurological or intellectual issues

There are many different disorders from cerebral palsy to muscular dystrophy that can cause speech delay in toddlers. While you would likely already have a diagnosis for some, there are others that your pediatrician may want to look into. Speech delays can also be one of many delays across the board in a child with an intellectual disability.

The bottom line

Finding the cause of the speech delay is the only way to improve speech since the treatments vary so greatly depending on the reason for the delay. Treatment may look like surgery to put in ear tubes, physical therapy, speech therapy, clipping a tongue-tie, or something else. Sometimes, the cause is not a concerning issue and you just need to wait for your child to catch up in their own time. Whatever the reason, involve your pediatrician along the way for guidance.

Editors' Recommendations

Sarah Prager
Sarah is a writer and mom who lives in Massachusetts. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National…
Glass vs. plastic baby bottles: Here’s what doctors have to say
This is a hot topic, especially with new parents trying to decide which way to go
A cluster of different baby bottles in a bowl

Once a baby is born, a parent's perspective drastically changes. A parent's view of the world switches fairly quickly, with the primary goal being the baby's safety. Even something as seemingly simple as choosing the type of bottle to use becomes an important decision. Glass vs. plastic baby bottles: Which is a healthier choice?

A baby's bottle is a vital purchase, and it's certainly worth exploring all the factors when it comes to glass or plastic baby bottles for health, convenience, and cost concerns. There are trade-offs to consider with each. So, here's what parents need to know when it comes to glass vs. plastic baby bottles.

Read more
How much water should a 1-year-old drink? What you need to know
Here's how to keep your little human hydrated
Toddler drinking glass of water.

Once your child is eating solid foods, they need to drink enough liquids to balance their diet out. Milk is likely still a huge part of your child's daily diet, with them probably drinking it more than water. Although milk is important for toddlers to drink to help with the development of their bones and teeth, it's important they drink water every day. If you're wondering how much water should a 1-year-old drink, here's what you need to know.

How much water your child should drink
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 1-year-olds should drink 1 to 4 cups (8 to 32 ounces) of water per day and 2 to 3 cups (16 to 24 ounces) per day of whole milk.

Read more
Concerned with baby scratching their nose? This is what it might mean
Notice your little one grabbing at their nose? Here's when a baby scratching their nose is normal
A little child holding a tissue in their hand and crinkling their face up.

Once your baby finds their hands, they have to touch everything. But you’ve noticed your baby scratching their nose more than normal. At first, it seemed like it was only an itch, but now your little one is constantly touching their nose. Is this another quirky baby stage to get through, or something more concerning?

If you have seen your tot grabbing at their nose and getting whiny, there are a few things to check out and then try to get them back to a happy baby. An itchy nose outside could mean something needs a deeper look inside. Let's see what your baby's extra interest in their nose could really be about.

Read more