When Should I Actually Worry About Speech?

Every parent group has that one kid. The one who was speaking in full sentences at 12 months. The one who makes your totally-normal-developing child seem "behind."

Barča said her first word at 14 months. Her second word at 15 months. And then... not much for a while.

I panicked. I Googled. I Googled more. (Don't do this at 2 AM.)

What our speech therapist actually said:

Red flags that warrant a check-in:

• No babbling by 12 months
• No words by 16 months
• No two-word phrases by 24 months
• Loss of previously acquired words

Things that are usually fine:

• Understanding more than they say (receptive language)
• Communicating with gestures and sounds
• Being a "late talker" with no other concerns

The most important advice I got:

"If you're worried, get it checked. There's no prize for waiting and being right. Early intervention never hurts."

"Your child will talk when they're ready. Your job is to fill their world with words and love."