We speak more than one language in our house and my child has a speech delay. Is this common, and what can I do about it?

Question

Patricia Welty · Accepted Answer

Bilingual or multilingual children typically acquire language skills at the same rate as children learning one language. First words are typically expressed between 10-14 months old, and two to three-word phrases are produced between 18 months to 2 years of age (e.g., “more milk”).

Some studies have shown children may exhibit a “silent period” when a new language is introduced. During this time, your child may use less language as they begin to understand and use a new language. However, this typically only lasts for two to three, after which children quickly catch up to their age-matched peers.

Some bilingual and multilingual children may also mix grammatical rules or use words from both languages in a sentence. This is considered a normal pattern of dual-language acquisition and does not reflect a delay in language development.

Don’t be afraid to continue speaking all languages in your household! It is not detrimental for children (including those with speech-language impairments) to learn more than one language.

However, if you are concerned your child’s language skills are delayed, or if your child is frustrated by difficulties speaking in one or all languages, we recommended you seek an evaluation by a licensed SLP to ease your concerns. An SLP will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s speech, language, and overall communication skills to determine whether their language is age-appropriate.

The assessment will identify areas of strengths and need and will confirm whether their language skills reflect typical patterns of dual language learning or a true delay. With this information, your clinician will work with you to design a plan of action with specific, targeted exercises customized to your child’s unique developmental needs to reduce frustration and improve their language skills and communicative confidence as quickly as possible!

Any time a language delay is suspected, early intervention is always recommended. Studies indicate that the sooner a child receives intervention, the faster they will be able to improve.

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