What should I do if my child isn’t talking?

If a child does not speak, the first step is to visit the Pediatric Health Care Department. There, healthcare providers will initially assess for any abnormalities in neurological development—particularly in the brain’s language centers. If no neurological abnormalities are found, the next step is to consult an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (or Dentistry) Department to evaluate for structural anomalies of the speech organs—for example, congenital cleft palate or cleft lip, or vocal cord abnormalities. Once organic pathology involving these specific organs has been ruled out, the child’s speech delay is considered functional in nature, and referral to either the Psychiatry Department or the Rehabilitation Department is recommended for appropriate intervention and training. We hope this information is helpful. Wishing you good health!