An article on this topic is available in this issue of AFP . If your child doesn't talk as much as most children of the same age, the problem may be speech delay. Your doctor can listen to your child's speech and check your child's mental development. Your child should also have a hearing test, just in case your child is having trouble hearing. Your child may not need any treatment.
Some children just take more time to start talking.
The way your doctor might treat your child depends on the cause of the speech delay. Your doctor will tell you the cause of your child's problem and explain any treatments that might fix the problem or make it better. A speech and language pathologist might be helpful in making treatment plans. This person can also show you how to help your child talk more and speak better. Your family doctor will refer you to these health care workers if your child needs their help.