Red Flags:

If the child presents with one or more of these red flags, this might indicate a developmental concern, not only a speech and/or language delay.  An immediate referral to the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre for a developmental assessment might be required.  Consult the “Where to refer” section on how to do this.

• Limited eye gaze
• Limited shared interest in others
• Limited social smiling
• Lack of sound imitation: Child is unusually quiet; does not attempt to repeat sounds or words
• Absence of babbling with consonant sounds
• Late onset/limited use of gestures (i.e. reaching to be picked up)
• Child does not appear to be reaching the appropriate milestones
• Any loss of any social and/or language skills