Most parents realize that there are vast differences in children's development in all areas.
Some children crawl before others, while some children sit before others, and there are some children who achieve most developmental milestones before others. There are many factors which influence when a child will begin to use his or her first word. If a child is beginning to show signs of frustration about being unable to make others understand his or her needs or wants, parents should consult with a family physician or a speech-language pathologist. There is rarely one single reason for a child's speech and language to be delayed. In most cases, there are many factors which combine in a way which interferes with normal speech and language development.