{"id":346,"date":"2026-03-20T13:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T12:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/blog\/dificultades-de-lenguaje-5-senales-de-alerta\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T13:00:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T12:00:02","slug":"5-signs-your-child-may-have-language-difficulties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/blog\/5-signs-your-child-may-have-language-difficulties\/","title":{"rendered":"5 signs your child may have language difficulties"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Sometimes it's obvious. And sometimes it's not.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">There are children who don't speak at all. And there are children who speak \"something\"... but that \"something\" isn't enough to communicate, learn, or be calm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">And then comes the phrase that does the most damage:<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cHe\u2019ll talk.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Breathe. This isn't about panicking. It's about using common sense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Here are<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">5 signs<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">that may indicate language difficulties (in ASD, SLD\/language delay or other developmental difficulties) and<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">when to ask for an evaluation<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Before the signs: an important clarification<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">These signs are not a diagnosis. They are<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">warning signs<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">And if you see several together, the smartest thing to do isn't to wait. It's to assess them to know:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">what does your child understand?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">what can it express,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">And what basic skill is holding everything else back?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Sign 1) Does not respond to his\/her name (consistently)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If your child is 18\u201324 months old and you call him and he doesn't turn around, it's not always \"lack of interest\".<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Could be:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">that it does not process language in the same way,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">that it is saturated,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">or that does not have stable shared care.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Note: If they only respond when there's a screen or something that interests them, that's also information.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">To do<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Get closer, get down to their level.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Say his name once.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Accompany with gestures and immediate reinforcement when he looks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Sign 2) Does not follow simple instructions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cGive me the shoe.\u201d \u201cSit down.\u201d \u201cCome here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If they don't, it's often not disobedience. It's<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">fragile understanding<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">What to observe<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Does it do it if you point at it?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Does he do it only during routines (bath, food) but not outside of them?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Do you need to repeat this 10 times?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">To do<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Start with 1-step instructions in a real-world context:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\"Give it to me.\"<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cPut it on.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cOpen.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">And support with:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">gesture + word<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">signage<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">object in hand<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">pictograms if needed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Sign 3) Very limited vocabulary for their age<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">As a general (approximate) reference:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">At age 2: there are usually at least 50 simple words and combinations starting out.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">At 3 years old: there are usually many more words and simple phrases.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If your child has very few words (for example, 50) at age 3 and is not progressing, don't leave it for \"later\".<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">To do<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Prioritize functional communication (more, help, water, no, again).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">It works on basic skills: attention, imitation, comprehension.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Request an evaluation to find out where to start.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Sign 4) Says single words, but does not connect them into sentences<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cWater.\u201d \u201cMore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">But it doesn't say: \"I want water.\" \"More water.\"<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">This may indicate that the following is missing:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">appropriate modeling,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">comprehension,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">or structure to combine.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">To do<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Model short, repeatable phrases yourself (without demanding repetition):<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ql-indent-1 translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cI want more.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ql-indent-1 translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cMore water.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ql-indent-1 translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">\u201cHelp, please.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Use visual aids if it helps.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Reduce questions and increase modeling.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Sign 5) Play that is not very functional or symbolic<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">The game is not \"just a game\". It is language in action.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If your child:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">He doesn't play \"kitchen,\" \"mommy and baby,\" or \"mechanic.\"<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">doesn't act like,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">or just align\/order without changing,<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">There may be difficulties in:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">imitation,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">flexibility,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">communication,<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">or understanding.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">To do<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Enter their game first (without directing).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Imitate what he does.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Add a small variation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Celebrate any exchange.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">When should I request an evaluation?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">A rule of thumb:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If you see<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">3 or more signs<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">from this list, request an evaluation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If your intuition tells you \"something doesn't fit,\" ask for an evaluation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If language does not progress in 8\u201312 weeks despite stimulation, request an evaluation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Because language is time. And the sooner you intervene, the better.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">What you can do today (without waiting)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Quick checklist:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">5 minutes of shared attention<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">5 minutes of imitation (motor or objects)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">3 one-step instructions in real-life routine<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">3 communication opportunities (pause\/choice\/help)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">1 objective function word (more \/ help \/ pause)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">Small, sustained, daily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"translation-block\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent\">If you want step-by-step activities to work on attention, imitation, comprehension and communication (language foundations), you can try<\/span> <strong style=\"background-color: transparent\">the VICON Method<\/strong> <span style=\"background-color: transparent\">for 7 days free.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Android:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.metodovicon.app\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.metodovicon.app\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);\">https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.metodovicon.app<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">iOS:<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/m%C3%A9todo-vicon\/id6479298778\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/m%C3%A9todo-vicon\/id6479298778\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);\">https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/m%C3%A9todo-vicon\/id6479298778<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A veces es obvio. Y a veces no. Hay ni\u00f1os que no hablan nada. Y hay ni\u00f1os que hablan \u201calgo\u201d\u2026 pero ese \u201calgo\u201d no alcanza para comunicarse, aprender o estar tranquilos. Y entonces aparece la frase que m\u00e1s da\u00f1o hace: \u201cYa\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":347,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55,60,51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-desarrollo-cognitivo","category-desarrollo-del-lenguaje","category-desarrollo-infantil"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=346"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/metodovicon.articagency.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}