What this tool is for

Speech and language develop at different rates, and it is not always obvious whether something you have noticed is part of normal development, a habit that will settle on its own, or a sign of a speech disorder that would benefit from support. This tool gives you a plain English steer on what the difficulty might be and whether it is worth speaking to a speech and language therapist.

It is meant as a starting point so you feel more prepared, not a diagnosis or a replacement for a professional assessment.

Who it is for

Use it if you are a parent worried about how your child is talking, for example unclear speech, stammering, missing sounds, a lisp, late talking, or trouble putting words together. It is equally useful for adults who have noticed a change in their own speech, such as slurring, a stutter that has returned, voice changes, or difficulty finding words after an illness or injury.

It is also worth a look if a teacher, GP or family member has raised a concern and you want to understand what they might be picking up on before your next appointment.

How it works

You describe the difficulty in your own words, answer a few short follow-up questions about age and how long it has been going on, and you get a written summary explaining what the pattern could point to, what is typical for that age, and whether arranging an assessment with a speech and language therapist would be sensible. It takes around two minutes, it is free, and nothing you type is saved or linked to you.