Not all toddlers who are late to start using words will simply grow out of it. Which of the following are risk factors that suggest a child may have ongoing difficulty with language?

1. Being a “quiet” baby
2. Having a history of ear infections
3. Using mostly nouns (people, places, things), and not many verbs (action words)
   
4. Having a family history of communication delay, learning or academic difficulties
   
5. Having difficulty understanding language
6. Not using many gestures to communicate
7. Being born on a Thursday

Answer: 1-6 are risk factors
Early intervention leads to better outcomes. If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language development, call for a free phone consultation.

Source: “How to Tell if Your Child is a Late Talker – And What to Do about It” by Lauren Lowry

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1. Calling a dog a "woof woof"
2. Saying "wook" instead of "look"
3. Mixing up the order of words in a sentence (e.g., "I can have it, please?" instead of "Can I have it, please?")
4. Difficulty pronouncing the "r" sound
5. Saying "her riding" instead of "she is riding"
6. Leaving out syllables in words (e.g., "mato" instead of "tomato")

Language includes understanding words and concepts and expressing ideas using sounds, gestures, signs or words. Speech includes how words are pronounced. It is possible to have difficulty in one or both of these areas.

Answers: 1, 3, 5 = language; 2, 4, 6 = speech
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Speech-language pathologists identify, assess and treat speech and language difficulties. If you have concerns about your child's speech and language development, call for a free phone consultation.