Understanding Speech Delay, Language Disorders, and Autism in Chennai Children

It’s one of the most common worries parents in Chennai bring to our clinic:

“My child is 2½ years old and still not speaking. Should I be worried?”

As a parent, it can be confusing and scary when your child isn’t meeting speech milestones. You might hear mixed advice from friends and family:

“Don’t worry, boys talk late.”
“My nephew didn’t speak till 4—now he won’t stop talking!”
“Wait and watch, don’t rush to label them.”

While some speech delays can be harmless and temporary, others may be early signs of developmental conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). So how do you know what’s what?

Let’s break it down simply.

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🚼 When Should a Child Start Talking?

Here’s a general guide:

• By 1 year: Responds to name, says basic words like “mama,” “dada,” points or gestures

• By 18 months: Uses 10–20 words, understands simple commands

• By 2 years: Combines 2 words (e.g., “want water”), vocabulary of 50+ words

• By 3 years: Speaks in short sentences, speech understandable to familiar adults

If your child is not meeting these milestones, it’s a good idea to speak with a professional.

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🔄 Not All Speech Delay Means Autism

There are many possible reasons why a child might not be speaking:

✅ Speech Delay due to Hearing Problems

• Common in children with frequent ear infections

• Simple hearing tests can help rule this out

✅ Developmental Language Disorder

• Affects language comprehension or expression, but social skills are intact

✅ Bilingual Environment

• In some Chennai homes, children hear multiple languages (Tamil, English, Hindi)

• This may slightly delay expressive language but should not affect social interaction

❗ Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• In autism, language delay is often accompanied by social communication issues, such as:

  • Not pointing or showing things to share interest

  • Lack of eye contact

  • Not responding to name

  • Repetitive behaviors (hand-flapping, lining up toys)

  • Preference to play alone

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🧠 How Is Autism Assessed in Chennai?

At our clinics in Velachery and Tambaram, we follow a step-by-step approach:

• Take a detailed developmental history

• Use tools like INDT-ASD, ISAA, and M-CHAT-R/F (available in Tamil)

• Observe the child’s play, communication, and interaction

• Refer for hearing tests, speech therapy, or occupational therapy if needed

We always reassure parents: An evaluation doesn’t mean a diagnosis—it means clarity. And if your child does need support, starting early can make all the difference.

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🙌 What Can You Do as a Parent?

• Don’t wait for others to agree—trust your gut

• Track your child’s communication patterns (eye contact, gestures, babbling)

• Limit screen time, encourage real-world interaction

• Read, sing, and talk to your child often

• Seek a professional opinion if in doubt

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📍Need Help Understanding Your Child’s Speech Delay?

We offer gentle, child-friendly autism and developmental assessments at our Chennai clinics. Whether it’s a simple delay or something more, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T
Consultant Psychiatrist 
📍 Apollo Clinic, Velachery & Apollo Clinic, Tambaram (Opp. MCC Campus)
📞 Call: 8595155808