# Speech and Language Delay — Your First Steps

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-was-just-diagnosed-with-speech-and-language-delay-what-should-i-do-first
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

After a Speech and Language Delay diagnosis, the first steps are to understand the type of delay, check hearing, begin early play-based speech and language therapy, and become an active everyday communication partner at home. Early support is highly effective. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

*A diagnosis is not a verdict — it is the moment your child's path to talking gets a clear, hopeful direction.*

## In short
Take a breath — a Speech and Language Delay is one of the most common and most responsive areas of early childhood development. Your first three steps are simple: **understand the diagnosis, begin speech and language therapy early, and become your child's everyday communication partner at home.** Children who start support early often make wonderful progress, because the young brain is built to learn language when given the right, playful practice.

## What to do first
- **Hear the full picture.** Ask the clinician *what kind* of delay this is — is it understanding language (receptive), using words and sentences (expressive), or both? Has hearing been checked? A simple hearing screen is an essential first step, because even mild glue ear can hold language back.
- **Begin speech and language therapy.** This is the core support. A speech-language therapist works through play to build understanding, sounds, words and the back-and-forth of communication, at exactly your child's level.
- **Turn your home into a language-rich place.** Narrate daily routines, name what your child looks at, pause and wait for them to respond, read together, and reduce screen time. You are with your child far more than any therapist — your everyday talk is powerful medicine.
- **Keep a simple record.** Note new sounds, words and gestures. This helps you see progress and helps your therapist tune the plan.

## When to act promptly
Do seek a review sooner if your child loses words or skills they once had, does not respond to their name or sounds, shows no gestures like pointing or waving, or if you have any worry about hearing. Loss of previously learned skills always deserves prompt clinical attention.

## The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or online form. Our therapists build a precise [communication profile](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and shape a play-based plan through [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate), supported by guidance you can use every day at [home](/). Drawing on 25 million+ therapy sessions and 4.95 lakh+ families served, support is built around your child's strengths, never their gaps.

## Trusted sources
WHO ICD-11 (6A01, developmental speech or language disorders); CDC *Learn the Signs. Act Early.* developmental milestones; Indian Academy of Pediatrics and RBSK developmental screening guidance; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org).

**Next step —** Ready to begin your child's communication journey with confidence? [Book a speech and language assessment with a Pinnacle clinician](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate).

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- WHO ICD-11 — Developmental speech or language disorders: https://icd.who.int/browse11
- CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early.: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org: https://www.healthychildren.org

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Conditions: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/conditions
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Adaptive: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/adaptive
- Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support
- Plan: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/plan
- Speech Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/speech-therapy
- Family Empowerment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/family_empowerment

## Related question paths

### Understand the subject
- How Speech and Language Delay Affects Daily Life: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-speech-and-language-delay-affect-a-child-s-daily-life
- Is Speech and Language Delay considered a disability?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-speech-and-language-delay-considered-a-disability
- Is Speech and Language Delay Genetic or Hereditary?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-speech-and-language-delay-genetic-or-hereditary
- What are common myths about Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-common-myths-about-speech-and-language-delay
- What are the types or levels of Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-speech-and-language-delay
- What causes speech and language delay in children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-speech-and-language-delay-in-children
- What is Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-speech-and-language-delay
- What Often Occurs Alongside Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-other-conditions-often-occur-alongside-speech-and-language-delay
- Early intervention outcomes for speech and language delay under 7: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-current-research-show-about-early-intervention-outcomes-for-speech-and-language-delay-in-children-under-7
- Speech and Language Delay (ICD-11 6A01) Defined: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-speech-and-language-delay-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood
- ICD-11 Classification for Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-speech-and-language-delay
- What is the SNOMED CT concept for Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-speech-and-language-delay

### Recognise signs & concerns
- Can Speech and Language Delay Be Cured?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-speech-and-language-delay-be-cured
- Can speech and language delay be prevented?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-speech-and-language-delay-be-prevented
- Do boys show Speech and Language Delay differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-boys-show-speech-and-language-delay-differently
- Do girls show speech and language delay differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-girls-show-speech-and-language-delay-differently
- Early Signs of Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay
- Early Signs of Speech and Language Delay in a 1-Year-Old Boy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-1-year-old-boy
- Early Signs of Speech & Language Delay in a 1-Year-Old Girl: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-1-year-old-girl
- Early Signs of Speech & Language Delay (12–18 Months): https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-12-to-18-month-old
- Early Signs of Speech and Language Delay at 18–24 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-18-to-24-month-old
- Early Signs of Speech and Language Delay in a 2-Year-Old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-2-year-old
- Early Signs of Speech & Language Delay in a 2-Year-Old Boy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-2-year-old-boy
- Early Signs of Speech and Language Delay in a 2-Year-Old Girl: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-2-year-old-girl

### Explore causes & influences
- Are boys more likely to have speech and language delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-boys-more-likely-to-have-speech-and-language-delay
- Are girls more likely to have a speech and language delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-girls-more-likely-to-have-speech-and-language-delay
- What causes speech and language delay in young children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-speech-and-language-delay-in-young-children
- How Early Speech-Language Intervention Advances UNCRPD and the SDGs: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-early-intervention-for-speech-and-language-delay-advance-un-child-rights-uncrpd-and-the-sdgs
- Contributing Factors for Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-known-contributing-factors-for-speech-and-language-delay-in-early-childhood
- Cost-effectiveness of early therapy for speech and language delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-cost-effectiveness-of-early-therapy-for-speech-and-language-delay-in-young-children
- Prevalence and Public-Health Burden of Speech and Language Delay in India: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-prevalence-and-public-health-burden-of-speech-and-language-delay-among-young-children-in-india

### Understand assessment
- How AbilityScore Tracks Progress in Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-abilityscore-track-progress-in-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- How Speech and Language Delay Is Assessed in a Young Child: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-speech-and-language-delay-assessed-in-a-young-child
- What does an AbilityScore of 0–100 mean for a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What does an AbilityScore of 100–200 mean for a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What does an AbilityScore of 200–300 mean for a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What an AbilityScore of 300–400 means for speech and language delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What does an AbilityScore of 400–500 mean for a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What an AbilityScore® of 500–600 Means for Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What does an AbilityScore of 600–700 mean for a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-600-700-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What an AbilityScore of 700–800 Means for Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-700-800-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- AbilityScore 800–900 for Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-800-900-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- What an AbilityScore of 900–1000 Means for Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-900-1000-mean-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay

### Explore therapy & support
- How Is Speech and Language Delay Diagnosed in a Child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-speech-and-language-delay-diagnosed-in-a-child
- How speech and language therapy helps a child with speech and language delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-speech-and-language-therapy-help-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- How early intervention helps a child with speech and language delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-early-intervention-help-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- Treatment and Therapy Options for Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-treatment-and-therapy-options-for-speech-and-language-delay
- What can I expect as my child with Speech and Language Delay grows up?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-can-i-expect-as-my-child-with-speech-and-language-delay-grows-up
- Are there successful adults who grew up with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-there-successful-adults-who-grew-up-with-speech-and-language-delay
- Does Speech and Language Delay Get Better or Worse?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/does-speech-and-language-delay-get-better-or-worse-as-a-child-grows
- How can a non-verbal child with Speech and Language Delay communicate?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-non-verbal-child-with-speech-and-language-delay-communicate
- How to Support Adaptive Development in Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-we-support-adaptive-development-in-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- How common is Speech and Language Delay in children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-common-is-speech-and-language-delay-in-children
- How do I choose the right therapy for a child with Speech and Language Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-do-i-choose-the-right-therapy-for-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- How do I explain Speech and Language Delay to my child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-do-i-explain-speech-and-language-delay-to-my-child