Is My Baby on Track? Speech and Languageby Amanda Genge Babies develop at different rates - some walk sooner than others, some talk later, and many don’t stick to the “official” schedule that parenting experts use as a guideline. Most of the time, the delay means nothing - even if you find yourself worrying once in a while. Sometimes, though, there’s reason to be concerned. Well-meaning friends and family (or even your pediatrician) may try to reassure you that your baby is developing normally - “Don’t worry, my son didn’t utter a word before he was 3 and now he’s a regular chatterbox!” - when your intuition tells you something's up.There is a wide range of normal when it comes to meeting milestones, especially for speech and language. But that doesn't mean you can't spot a problem early on. Many developmental red flags can alert you to an issue well before your baby even starts to “talk.” For instance, a baby of about 12 months who is not pointing or waving - two important nonverbal ways that babies communicate - could be showing signs of a fine-motor delay or autism spectrum disorder, and babies who don’t readily imitate sounds may have a hearing problem. We’ve compiled a handy guide to help you keep an eye—and an ear—open for potential problems. If you’re ever concerned about your baby or toddler's development, call your state’s Early Intervention program to have your child evaluated. The evaluation is free, and you don’t need a doctor’s referral. The earlier a child gets help, the more likely he is to catch up. Next: Development from birth to 6 months