Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
No vitamin or natural remedy has been shown to cure a speech delay. While a few nutrients, such as folinic acid, vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics, may support language development in certain children, the evidence is still limited. Learn what the research says, when supplements may be appropriate, and why speech therapy remains the recommended treatment.
Please note that the information in this article regarding vitamins and supplements is not medical advice. You should talk with your child’s pediatrician about any vitamin or supplement before giving it to your child.
Key takeaways
Natural remedies and vitamins have not been proven to treat or cure speech delay. Speech therapy is the recommended treatment.
Some supplements, including folinic acid, vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics, may support language development in certain children. However, the evidence is still limited.
Treating a diagnosed nutrient deficiency is different from giving supplements to a child who is not deficient. Your pediatrician can help determine your child's needs.
A balanced diet supports healthy brain development, but if your child has a speech delay, nutrition alone does not replace a speech evaluation.
If you're concerned about your child's speech, talk with your pediatrician or a speech therapist before starting any supplement.
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Start the screenerCan natural remedies or vitamins help with speech delay?
Natural remedies and vitamins have not been proven to treat or cure speech delay. Some nutrients may support healthy brain and language development in certain children. But there isn't enough evidence to recommend them as a treatment for speech delay. Speech therapy remains the recommended, evidence-based treatment.
We know that young children grow quickly! The first three years of a child's life are the most significant period of brain development. The foods and nutrients they eat fuel their body to help it grow, which includes brain growth and development. Getting the right nutrition may help kids better meet their developmental milestones on time.
If a child is a selective eater (sometimes called a "picky eater"), it can be hard for them to get all the nutrition they need from diet alone. In that case, their pediatrician may recommend a children's multivitamin or other supplements.
If a vitamin, herb, heavy metal detox, or other natural remedy claims that your child will improve their speech by taking it, be cautious. These claims are likely not backed by research.
However, vitamins and supplements are not a cure for a speech delay. If a child is deficient in a specific vitamin, it doesn't mean they will have a speech delay. It also doesn't mean that if they take a supplement, they will suddenly gain the speech and language skills they've been missing.
“If a vitamin, herb, heavy metal detox, or other natural remedy claims that your child will start talking, or improve their speech, just by taking it, be cautious,” says Expressable speech therapist Alexis Irazoque, M.S., L/SLP. “These claims are more than likely not backed by research or science.” There can also be risks to giving your child vitamins or supplements without your doctor's guidance.
That said, some studies have shown that certain supplements may support speech and language development in certain children. Let's take a look at what these studies have suggested.
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Folinic acid and speech delay
Research on folinic acid and communication has mainly focused on autistic children with language impairment. In a small 2018 trial, 48 children with autism and language impairment received either high-dose folinic acid or a placebo for 12 weeks. Children who received folinic acid showed greater improvements in verbal communication than those who received the placebo. The improvement was especially noticeable in children who had folate receptor alpha autoantibodies. This may mean that some children are more likely to respond to folinic acid than others.
A 2019 review of research on substances that may affect speech and communication in autism also discussed folinic acid. The review included the 2018 trial, as well as earlier research involving folinic acid and methylcobalamin, a form of vitamin B12. However, the 2019 paper was a review of existing research, not a new clinical trial. The authors noted that more research is needed to determine which children are most likely to benefit from folinic acid, the right dose, and long-term safety.
It's also important know the difference between folinic acid and folic acid. Folinic acid is a reduced form of folate. Folic acid is the synthetic form commonly found in prenatal vitamins and supplements. They are processed differently by the body. So research on folic acid, including studies of folic acid use during pregnancy, are not evidence that folinic acid treats speech or language delays.
Learn the causes and symptoms of a language delay, the milestones your toddler should be reaching, and how to help your child if they’re delayed.
Keep in mind: The 2018 trial included only autistic children with language impairment, so the results may not apply to all kids with speech delay. The study was also small, so larger studies are needed to confirm the findings and determine how much they apply to other children.
Parents often ask: How much should I give my child? When would we see results? Are there side effects? Those questions do not have one-size-fits-all answers, and this research does not recommend a dose. Folinic acid is a prescription-strength nutrient at the levels used in autism research. It should only be started under the care of a healthcare provider. If your family wants to try folinic acid, ask your child's doctor about dosing and how to watch for side effects.
Vitamin B12 and speech delay
Vitamin B12 deficiency may contribute to speech and language delays, along with other developmental differences affecting motor and cognitive skills.
One study found the following: "The children of women with the lowest 10% intake of B12 were at increased risk of poor vocabulary at 24 months, reduced ability at combining words at 38 months, poor speech intelligibility at 6 years, [and] poor mathematics comprehension at … ages 8-9 and 10-11 years."
It helps to separate this into two different situations:
If a child has a diagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency, treating it can support healthy development, including energy, motor skills, and communication.
However, if a child doesn't have a B12 deficiency, there isn't evidence that giving them extra B12 improves their speech or language development.
Children who may be at higher risk for vitamin B12 deficiency include:
Breastfed babies whose mothers follow a strict vegan or vegetarian diet without supplementation
Toddlers with very limited diets
Children with certain conditions that affect how their bodies absorb nutrients
Vitamin B12 is naturally found in foods like meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, and fortified cereals. Most children who eat a balanced diet get enough B12, but if you're concerned, talk with your pediatrician. A simple blood test can determine whether your child has a deficiency.
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Probiotics and speech delay
Research suggests there may be a connection between the gut microbiome (the bacteria and other microorganisms that live in the digestive system) and brain development. Some studies have found links between certain gut microbiome patterns and conditions such as autism, ADHD, and speech or language differences. However, these studies do not show that gut health causes speech delays or that changing the gut microbiome will improve speech.
Probiotics are supplements or foods that have "good" bacteria. They are often used to support gut health. While probiotics are an active area of research, there isn't enough evidence to recommend probiotics as a treatment for speech delay. If you'd like to support your child's gut health, probiotic-rich foods such as plain yogurt, kefir, and some aged cheeses can be a healthy option for many kids.
Although probiotic supplements are generally safe, they aren't right for everyone. Children with certain medical conditions, such as weakened immune systems or digestive disorders, should only take probiotics under the guidance of their healthcare provider. Talk with your child's pediatrician before starting any supplement, and remember that probiotics should never replace a speech and language evaluation if you're concerned about your child's communication.
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Omega-3 fatty acids and speech delay
Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in brain development and function. Researchers have studied whether omega-3 supplements, especially DHA, can support speech and language development. While some studies suggest they may help certain children, the overall evidence is mixed.
Some research has found small improvements in language skills, especially in children with autism or other developmental differences. However, other studies have found little or no benefit. Right now, there isn't enough evidence to recommend omega-3 supplements as a treatment for speech delay.
For most children, getting omega-3s from food is the best place to start. Foods such as salmon, sardines, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and fortified eggs are all good sources. If you're thinking about giving your child an omega-3 supplement, talk with your pediatrician first. They can help determine whether a supplement is right for your child and recommend a safe product and dose.
What the research says about vitamins and speech delay
Looking at the research as a whole, there isn't enough evidence to recommend vitamins or supplements as a treatment for speech delay in typically developing children. Recent systematic reviews published in 2023 and 2024 found that while some supplements may help specific groups of children, the overall evidence is still limited and inconsistent. More high-quality research is needed before any vitamin or supplement can be recommended as part of routine care for speech delays.
That doesn't mean nutrition isn't important! A balanced diet that includes key nutrients, such as iron, iodine, B vitamins, choline, and omega-3 fatty acids, supports brain development and gives children the building blocks they need to learn and grow. If a child has a diagnosed nutrient deficiency, treating that deficiency is an important part of their overall health and development.
Nutrition supports a child's development, but it doesn't replace speech therapy. If you're worried about your child's speech, get an evaluation first.
If you're concerned about your child's speech, the most important step is to schedule a speech and language evaluation. A speech-language pathologist can identify possible causes of the delay and recommend the right treatment. If you also have questions about your child's nutrition or any supplements, talk with your pediatrician. They can help determine whether testing, dietary changes, or supplements are needed based on your child's individual health needs.
Irazoque shares: "Parents often ask me whether they should try vitamins or supplements before booking a speech evaluation. My answer is always the same: nutrition supports development, but it doesn't replace therapy. If you're worried about your child's speech, get the evaluation first. Then, if your pediatrician recommends a supplement, you can add it on top of a plan that we know actually works."
Learn what happens during and after a speech therapy evaluation, plus a handy evaluation checklist to help you prepare.
What to do if you think your child has a speech delay
If you're concerned about your child's speech, don't wait to ask for help. Talk with your child's pediatrician or contact a speech therapist for an evaluation. An evaluation is the best way to understand what's causing your child's speech delay and what kind of support they need. Early support can make a meaningful difference.
During the evaluation, your speech therapist will assess your child's communication skills, identify their strengths and areas of need, and create a personalized treatment plan. Therapy is designed to be engaging and play-based, using games, toys, books, and everyday activities to help children build speech and language skills. Just as importantly, your therapist will teach you simple strategies to use during daily routines so you can support your child's progress at home.
If you have questions about your child's speech development, we're here to help. Expressable's licensed speech therapists provide individualized, evidence-based care through convenient online therapy. We'll help you understand your child's communication needs and create a plan that supports their growth. Get matched today with a speech therapist who's the right fit for your family.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
No vitamin has been proven to treat or cure a speech delay. While treating a diagnosed nutrient deficiency can support a child's overall development, there isn't enough evidence that vitamins improve speech or language in children who are not deficient. If you're concerned about your child's speech or nutrition, talk with your pediatrician and a speech therapist.
There are no natural remedies that have been proven to treat speech delay. Some nutrients, such as folinic acid, vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics, are being studied. However, the evidence is limited and doesn't support their routine use for speech delays. If you have questions about supplements or your child's speech development, talk with your pediatrician and a speech therapist.
It's best not to put off a speech and language evaluation while trying supplements. If your pediatrician says your child has a nutrient deficiency, treating it may support your child's overall health. But supplements are not a replacement for speech therapy. Talk with your pediatrician and a speech therapist to determine the right next steps for your child.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech and occupational therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication, feeding, and developmental skills, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 4,500 5-star reviews from our clients (4.83/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech and occupational therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
