Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Sudden difficulty speaking or a sudden loss of speech needs emergency assessment, especially with facial drooping, weakness, poor balance, confusion, a seizure, or a severe headache.
Call emergency services if a child has trouble breathing, turns blue or grey, or cannot speak because of choking.
And for anyone, someone who:
has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Ask for prompt medical advice if your child:
Loses speech or communication skills gradually
Has persistent hoarseness without an obvious short-lived cause
Appears unable to hear some sounds or frequently needs repetition
Has speech difficulty together with feeding, chewing, or swallowing problems
Becomes distressed, avoids speaking, or is being bullied
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine assessment if your child’s speech is difficult to understand for their developmental stage, if progress seems limited, or if you are concerned about sound production, stuttering, or voice quality.
You do not need to wait until a child starts school.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Speech disorders - children. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.