Speech Delay in Children – Wait or Refer? – Dr Low Child Specialist Clinic Batu Pahat

Dr Low Child Specialist Clinic Batu Pahat

🩺 Speech Delay in Children – Should You Wait or Refer Early?

In today’s digital age, many parents are becoming increasingly aware of their child’s speech milestones. The issue of speech delay has become a hot topic, especially on platforms like TikTok where parents express their concern about children who are slow to talk or communicate.

During a recent Facebook Live session hosted by Pantai Hospital Batu Pahat and Klinik Ezna, Dr Low Han Nee, Pediatrician at Dr Low Child Specialist Clinic Batu Pahat, discussed this common concern in detail.

📘 Your Child’s Health Booklet Is More Than a Record

Every Malaysian child receives a red, pink, or blue health booklet at birth. This booklet isn’t just for vaccinations – it’s a structured tool developed by the Ministry of Health (KKM) to track developmental milestones.

However, Dr Low observed that many parents stop regular health check-ups after the 18-month vaccination schedule. This is concerning, because 18 months to 3 years is a critical period for identifying and addressing speech delays.

Even if you’re only seeing a nurse at the Klinik Kesihatan, trained staff can screen for red flags and refer your child for intervention if necessary.

🧠 What Is Considered a Speech Delay?

LaBy 1 year old, a child should typically be able to say a first word. By 2 years old, they should be combining two-word phrases and have a vocabulary of around 50 words.

If a child is not reaching these milestones, it may indicate a speech or language delay, which could be linked to:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Dyslexia
• Epilepsy

When these issues are not detected early, it can negatively affect a child’s social, cognitive, and emotional development.

⚠️ Why Early Intervention Matters

The earlier the speech delay is detected, the better the outcome for the child. Early therapy, stimulation, and specialized programs can improve speech, social skills, and cognitive ability.

For example, children with autism who receive early intervention tend to show better progress than those who are diagnosed later. Even for children with dyslexia or ADHD, timely diagnosis allows parents and educators to provide proper support and learning strategies.

👍 Modern Parents Are More Aware – That’s a Good Thing!

Dr Low commended today’s generation of parents for being more informed and proactive. Compared to older generations, parents now are more likely to seek help early, which improves the chances of successful developmental outcomes.

👨‍⚕️ Final Advice: Don’t Wait – Monitor & Refer

If your child is not talking by age two or shows signs of language delay, don’t wait it out. Instead, schedule a follow-up either with your local Klinik Kesihatan or visit a child specialist like Dr Low Han Nee for a professional assessment.

Early detection opens the door to timely intervention, and that could make a world of difference in your child’s future.

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