Speak up

Time to Speak

One in 10 Canadians has a speech, language or hearing problem. But many parents don't know the warning signs to watch for in their children.

The Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists has produced a communication checklist for parents to make sure that their kids are meeting milestones appropriate for their age.

Here's what to look for.

• By three months, your child should turn toward the source of a sound and make "ooh" and "ahh" sounds.

• By 12 months, your child should be able to sing along, laugh and imitate gestures like clapping or waving bye-bye.

• By three years, your child should be able to ask "why" questions.

For more info, visit www.caslpa.ca and download their Parent's Guide to Children's Speech (523 kb .pdf) and find out what steps to take with your child.

If your child is not meeting these milestones, a trip to the doctor is in order. Dealing with a problem as soon as it is discovered makes a big difference. A child who has had a language problem identified can work with a trained professional, helping him overcome his problem and lead a normal life.