As a parent in Singapore, you may have concerns if your child isn’t talking like their peers or has trouble expressing themselves clearly. It’s natural to wonder if your child is simply a late bloomer or if there’s something more going on.

Speech therapy can be a helpful support for children who are facing communication challenges. And when started early, it can make a big difference in school readiness, emotional development, and confidence.

What Is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is a clinical service that helps children improve their ability to:

• Say sounds and words clearly

• Understand and use language

• Communicate effectively with others

• Build social communication and classroom readiness

Therapists who specialise in this are called speech-language therapists, and they work closely with both children and families to build communication skills over time.

7 Signs Your Child May Need Speech Therapy

Here are seven common signs to look out for:

1. Limited Vocabulary

By age 3, a child’s vocabulary typically expands to 200–500 words. If your child uses only a handful of words or doesn’t learn new ones regularly, this could signal a delay.

2. Not Combining Words

Most children say their first words by 12 – 15 months. If your child is not using words by 18 months or is not combining two words by age 2 (e.g., “more milk”), it may be a red flag. Delays in expressive language often show up early.

3. Speech That’s Hard to Understand

It’s normal for young children to mispronounce words, but by age 3 – 4, familiar adults should understand most of what your child says. If even close family struggle to understand your child, it may indicate articulation or phonological issues.

4. Struggles with Instructions

Children with receptive language delays often struggle to understand and respond to questions or directions. If your child frequently asks “What?” or doesn’t respond unless prompted multiple times, they may have trouble processing spoken language.

5.Frustration When Communicating

If your child gets visibly upset, avoids talking, or uses gestures like pointing or grunting instead of words, they may be aware they’re not being understood. This is often a strong indicator that they need support with expressive language.

6. Lack of Interest in Social Interaction

Children learn a lot through play and social interaction. If your child avoids eye contact, rarely engages in pretend play, or doesn’t take turns during games or conversation, this may reflect social communication difficulties often seen in conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

7. Not Progressing with Reading or Phonics

Older children with speech and language issues may show difficulties with sound-letter recognition, blending sounds, or forming sentences in writing. These challenges can affect early literacy and learning in school.

Why Early Support Matters in Singapore

In Singapore, children begin primary school at age 7, and they’re expected to have clear communication and comprehension skills. Children with speech or language delays may struggle to keep up academically or socially.

That’s why early intervention and speech therapy is crucial. Getting help early:

• Builds foundational skills before formal schooling

• Boosts your child’s confidence

• Prevents long-term learning difficulties

Where to Seek Help in Singapore

If you’re unsure where to begin, consider reaching out to:

• Private speech therapy clinics in Singapore like Kaleidoscope Therapy Centre, where we offer speech and language therapy

• Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC)

• Restructured hospitals with paediatric speech therapists

Most providers offer an initial speech and language assessment to determine your child’s needs and create a personalised plan.

Conclusion

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Children develop at different paces, but persistent speech or language delays deserve attention. Speech therapy offers practical, targeted help and early support can make your child’s transition to school smoother and more successful.