Question

Any red flags that may be noticed at this age that suggest language is not developing normally
From Birth to Two

Answer 1

Below are common red flags by age range from birth to 2 years that may indicate language (and related communication) is not developing typically. Keep in mind there is natural variability, but persistent absence of expected skills — or any loss/regression of skills — should prompt evaluation.

General “urgent” red flags (any age)
- Loss of previously used sounds, words, gestures, or social skills (regression).
- No startle/response to loud sounds or no consistent response to voices (could indicate hearing problem).
- Very limited eye contact and social interaction, or minimal interest in people.

Birth to 3 months
- Does not startle to loud sounds or awaken to loud noises.
- Does not quiet or smile in response to your voice.
- Makes few or no cooing/gurgling vocalizations.

4 to 6 months
- Does not turn eyes or head toward sounds or voices.
- Does not laugh or squeal.
- Little or no babbling (e.g., repeated consonant–vowel sounds like “ba,” “da”).
- Does not use varied sounds or try to get attention with voice.

7 to 12 months
- No babbling with varied sounds or no babbling by 9–10 months (including reduplicated babbling like “bababa”).
- No gestures such as pointing, waving, or showing objects by about 9–12 months.
- Does not respond to own name consistently.
- Does not look where you point or follow simple directions with gestures.
- No first words by about 12 months.

12 to 18 months
- No single meaningful words by 15 months (or very few words).
- Does not imitate sounds, actions, or words.
- Little interest in interactive games (peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake).
- Limited use of gestures or not combining gestures with vocalizations to communicate.

18 to 24 months
- Fewer than about 50 words by 24 months, or not combining two words (e.g., “more milk,” “mommy go”) by 24 months.
- Speech is very difficult to understand for parents/caregivers (some unintelligibility is normal, but there should be increasing clarity).
- Very limited pretend play or poor use of eye contact and joint attention.
- Persistent echolalia (just repeating phrases) without functional use of words, or continued regression.

Other signs that suggest evaluation is needed
- Frequent or chronic ear infections or other risk factors for hearing loss.
- Feeding/oral-motor difficulties that also affect sounds (trouble managing purees, drooling, poor tongue movement).
- Little to no interest in interacting with caregivers.

What to do if you notice red flags
1. Talk with your pediatrician right away — ask for a developmental screening and hearing check.
2. Request a referral to early intervention (IDEA Part C) or your local early childhood development services; these services evaluate and can start therapy quickly.
3. Ask for a hearing test (audiology) before assuming it’s a language disorder.
4. Consider an evaluation by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and, if concerns about social communication exist, by a developmental pediatrician or child neurologist.
5. Don’t wait — early therapy is most effective. Even a short evaluation can identify helpful early strategies.

Practical tips while you seek evaluation
- Talk, narrate, and read to your baby often; pause to give them a chance to respond.
- Imitate their sounds and gestures, and expand on them (child says “ba” → you say “ball” and show ball).
- Use simple, clear language and lots of turn-taking play.
- Reduce background TV and increase face-to-face interaction.

If you want, tell me the specific age of the child and what behaviors you’re seeing, and I can give more tailored guidance and suggested next steps.