Speech Development Screen

• Designed by Speech Pathologists for use in early childhood centres, schools and the home.
• The screen is quick and simple to administer.
• The screen identifies which children require a referral to a Speech Pathologist.
• The Speech Development Screen forms an essential component of preventative early intervention efforts.
• The resource also includes parent education developmental milestone sheets.

Many parents, early childhood workers and teachers will wonder if a child speech is normal. Most children’s speech becomes clearer gradually as they hear and use words and sentences. While children develop at individual rates, there is a general pattern to children’s sound development.

• By 18 months of age 25% of what is spoken by young children should be understood by their parents
• By 24 months of age 50 – 75% of what is spoken by young children should be understood by their parents
• By 36 months of age 75 – 100% of what is spoken by young children should be understood by their parents.  Not all sounds will be articulated correctly, but the young child will nonetheless be understood by their parents.

A newborn communicates by crying. A six month old will experiment with sounds. An eleven month old will speak their first words. A two year old will speak around 50 words and be able to create two word sentences. A three year will be able to string a four word sentence together. By five years of age most children can be understood by anyone.

Be aware that ear infections are common in children and can interfere and subsequently delay sound development. If concerns surround a child’s speech (e.g. a three year old that cannot be understood by adults) it is recommended that an appointment with a Speech Pathologist is made. Speech Pathologists are professionally trained to advise, diagnose and treat children who have difficulty communicating.

This publication is mentioned within the ‘Whole School Literacy Strategy’ booklet on page 7.

Download the A3 Speech Sound Development Poster or download the A4 Speech Sound Development sheet.

The following implementation booklet outlines how PLD speech pathology designed programs can be applied to schools. Refer to pages 7, 11, 12 and 18.