Developmental Milestones Guide
Parents frequently ask when speech therapy for children is appropriate. While individual children develop at different rates, there is a general pattern to children’s language development.
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Developmental Milestones Guide
Parents frequently ask when speech therapy for children is appropriate. While individual children develop at different rates, there is a general pattern to children’s language development.
By Age 1
Your baby should be able to:
Respond to familiar sounds such as the telephone ringing, the vacuum cleaner or the car in the driveway
Understand simple commands such as “no”
Recognize their own name
Understand the names of familiar objects or people
Say “daddy” and “momma” and a few other words
Enjoy songs, music and books
Try to make familiar sounds such as vehicle and animal noises
By Age 2
Your toddler should be able to:
Say the names of simple body parts, such as eye and nose
Listen to stories and name pictures
Understand simple sentences such as “Where’s daddy?”
Use more than fifty words
Talk to themselves or their toys during play
Demonstrate pretend play (e.g., talk on toy phone, brush doll’s hair)
Sing simple songs and nursery rhymes
Use pronouns such as “he” and “I”
Use simple sentences such as “More cookies, please”
By Age 3
Your child should be able to:
Understand how objects are used (e.g. a crayon is something to draw with)
Recognize their own needs such as hunger
Follow directions
Use 3-4 word sentences
Begin using basic grammar
Enjoy telling stories and asking questions
Have favorite toys, books and TV programs
Be understood by familiar adults
By Age 4
Your child should be able to:
Understand shapes and color names
Understand some time words such as lunchtime, today and winter
Ask “who,” “what,” and “when” questions
Use about 900 words, usually in four or five word sentences
Use correct grammar with occasional mistakes such as “I falled down”
Speak clearly enough to be understood by most people
By Age 5
Your child should be able to:
Understand opposites such as wet and dry, big and little
Use sentences of about 6 words with correct grammar
Talk about events that are happening, have happened or might happen
Explain why something happens
Explain the function of objects
Follow three directions (e.g., “Get your shoes, put them on and wait by the door”)
Explain how they feel and tell you their ideas
Become interested in writing, numbers and reading
Speak clearly enough to be understood by anyone
Does my Child have Autism?
Autism can present in many ways and may look different in every child. The following signs are examples of behaviors and developmental differences sometimes seen in children with autism.
Early Characteristics of Autism
A Parent Guide to Knowing When to Seek Support
Communication & Language
Limited or no babbling by 12 months
Few or no words by 16–18 months Loss of words or sounds previously used
Limited imitation of sounds or gestures Does not point, wave, or use gestures to communicate
Uses others’ hands to get needs met Repeats words or phrases without clear purpose
Social Interaction
Limited or inconsistent eye contact
Does not respond to name consistently Appears withdrawn or 'in their own world'
Limited interest in playing with others Prefers solitary play Rarely shares enjoyment or shows objects to others
Limited facial expressions or emotional sharing
Play & Learning
Limited pretend or imaginative play
Plays with toys in repetitive or unusual ways
Focuses on parts of objects (wheels, buttons, strings)
Difficulty following another person’s point or gaze
Limited interest in social games (peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake)
Repetitive Behaviors Repetitive movements (hand flapping, rocking, spinning)
Repeating actions or routines
Strong need for sameness
Difficulty with changes or transitions
Sensory Differences
Strong reactions to sounds, textures, lights, or movement
Covers ears for everyday noises
Avoids certain food textures or clothing
Seeks sensory input (spinning, crashing, chewing)
Unusually sensitive or unusually unaware of pain
Behavior & Regulation
Frequent or intense meltdowns
Difficulty calming once upset Low frustration tolerance
Strong reactions to small changes
Sleep or feeding challenges
When to Seek Help
Consider an evaluation if multiple characteristics are present, skills are not developing as expected, skills have been lost, or you have ongoing concerns. You do not need a diagnosis to begin therapy in many cases. Early support can help build communication, social engagement, and regulation skills while honoring each child’s strengths.
