This is guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment. If you're worried about your child, talk to a doctor or health professional. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room.
In short
If your child seems slow to talk, or has lost something they could already do, don't just wait. Start with a paediatrician or GP: they check development and hearing, then refer you to a speech therapist if needed. A delay doesn't always mean an illness.
What to note before the appointment
Step by step
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Notice what they do now
At home, in the language your child speaks
Children don't all grow at the same pace, but there are general milestones. At 2 years, signs often mentioned include putting two words together and using many words. In a home with two or more languages, mixing them is normal: count words across all languages. Don't drop a language at home without asking a professional.
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Start with a doctor
Health centre, paediatrician or GP
If their speech worries you, or they've lost words or things they could do, don't just wait. The doctor checks how your child is developing and can refer you for a hearing test and to a speech therapist.
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The hearing test
With the doctor, an ENT specialist, or the service the doctor refers you to
Hearing is an important part of the check-up, because a child who doesn't hear well may find it harder to speak and understand. Ask the doctor or health centre where children's hearing tests are done in your city.
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Choose the right professional
After the doctor's assessment
A speech therapist (orthophoniste in Morocco) works on voice, speech and language. A psychomotor therapist works on psychomotor difficulties. If the concern goes beyond speech, a paediatrician or psychologist may also be involved. And remember: not every delay means a specific condition.
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The public route
Health centre, then a hospital service if needed
On the public route, you start at the health centre or with a GP, then a paediatrician or ENT specialist, then a speech therapist depending on the case. Ask the health centre whether the public hospital in your city offers speech therapy sessions, and ask AMO (Morocco's public health insurance) or your insurer whether sessions are reimbursed.
Don't wait: go to the emergency room if…
- Your child has a seizure
- You can't easily wake them, or they stop responding
- Their lips, tongue or throat swell and they struggle to breathe or swallow
- Their face suddenly droops, an arm goes weak, or their speech suddenly becomes confused
Where to start
Start at a health centre or with a doctor
For the public route, start at the health centre or with a GP, and bring the sheet where you noted how your child speaks, what they understand and what has changed.
The people who can help
See them all on Hdaya
Do you work in this field? People in your city read this guide.
Add your profileSpeech delay: what to ask at the appointment
Bring the sheet where you noted what your child says and understands. If you can, film a short video of them talking or playing at home to show the doctor. You can ask:
- Is their speech right for their age?
- Do they need a hearing test?
- Should they see a speech therapist, or another professional?
- Which signs mean I should come back quickly?
- At the speech therapist: how does a session work, and can I sit in?
Parents matter too
Worrying about your child is exhausting. If you feel the stress is getting on top of you, see who to see for stress and anxiety.
References
Milestones and signs to watch: CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics and ASHA. Definitions of some health professions: Moroccan Law 45.13. Public services vary from city to city, so ask at your health centre.
Where to start
To get started, browse the paediatricians and speech therapists near you on Hdaya, and get in touch with the one you feel comfortable with.
Questions people ask
Does speaking Darija and French delay a child's speech?
No. Mixing languages is normal. Count words across all languages, and speak to your child in the language you're most comfortable in.
Should we drop a language at home?
There's no general reason to. The professional who sees your child should take every language they hear into account.
When should I talk to a doctor?
If your child isn't reaching the milestones expected for their age, has lost something they could do, or you're still worried. Don't just wait.
Who can help us?
A paediatrician or GP starts, then can refer you to a speech therapist or other professionals depending on the case.
References
- CDC — developmental milestones
- American Academy of Pediatrics — language delay
- ASHA — late language emergence
- NHS — urgent medical help for children under 5
- Law 45.13 — health professions
Procedures change. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will check it again.