Question
An 8-month-old boy speaks late and drools. Does this mean he might have intellectual issues?
Answer
An 8-month-old boy who speaks late and exhibits drooling may be showing signs of delayed intellectual development. However, mere speech delay and drooling do not necessarily indicate intellectual impairment. In some cases, children might say words like “go,” “bye-bye,” “Dad,” or “Mom.” If parents are concerned about their child’s language development, they can seek the help of a professional doctor for an assessment. Moreover, intellectual issues, autism spectrum disorders, and speech organ problems, such as congenital cleft lip or palate, are common factors affecting children’s language development. If there is a suspicion of delayed intellectual development or autism spectrum disorder, it is advisable to undergo relevant examinations and assessments at a regular hospital.