Speech and language delay
Every child develops at their own pace, and that includes their language skills.
Some children may experience delays or difficulties in their language development and might need extra support to progress.
These delays or difficulties can become clear in different ways, such as:
- how they pay attention and listen
- their social communication skills
- their speech sound development
- how they understand things
- how they communicate their thoughts and feelings
Some babies and young children receive additional support on the health visitor special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) pathway.
Your health visitor can offer direct support or advise you about meeting your child's needs.
You should contact your health visitor if you have any concerns about your child's speech and language development.
Speech and language therapy
The Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides speech and language therapy for children and young people with speech, language, and communication difficulties.
They also signpost parents, schools, and settings to different services and resources.
You can read more about specialist SEND support on the SEND Birmingham Local Offer website.
Birmingham Forward Steps (for children 0 to 5 years old) also supports parents, carers, schools, and other professionals about a child or young person's communication needs or eating and drinking concerns.
Now You're Talking Birmingham
Now You're Talking Birmingham brings together information, resources, advice, and links for parents and practitioners that support speech, language, and communication development.
Page last updated: 9 June 2023
