Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
Have you ever wondered if vitamins or supplements could help your child with their speech delay? While there’s no natural remedy that’s been found to cure a speech delay, research has pointed to several vitamins and supplements that might support language development.
Let’s take a look at what the research says about the role of vitamins and supplements in helping with speech delay. Keep in mind, however, that when it comes to speech and language growth, natural remedies are never a replacement for speech therapy.
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.
Can natural remedies or vitamins help with speech delay?
Young children grow quickly! And just as quickly as their bodies grow, so do their brains.
The first three years of a child’s life is 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 nutritional support may help kids better meet their developmental milestones on time.
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Start the screenerIf 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 they take a children’s multivitamin or other supplements.
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. 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 promise for certain supplements to support speech and language development in children. Let’s take a look at what these studies have suggested.
Folinic acid and speech delay
In 2019, a study was done to assess language abilities in autistic children who were given folinic acid alongside methylcobalamin, which is a form of vitamin B12. The group of children given folinic acid showed improvements in their verbal communication compared to the placebo group.
There is also evidence suggesting that use of folic acid during pregnancy can lower the risk of a child developing a language disorder. One study looked at a group of Norwegian mothers and their children. The study determined that use of folic acid throughout early pregnancy lowered the child’s risk of a language delay by the time they were 3 years old.
Vitamin B12 and speech delay
B12 vitamin deficiency may be linked to speech delays. Based on this research from 2024, B12 deficiency may also be linked to motor and cognitive delays, as well as speech delays.
Another 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.”
Talk to your pediatrician if you have questions about vitamin B12 and your child.
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Find a speech therapistProbiotics and speech delay
The gut is often referred to as the second brain. It houses a complex nervous system and has the same types of cells as the brain. When a person’s gut microbiome is not balanced, it can throw off other body functions.
There is some research showing that issues with a child’s gut health could put them at risk for autism, ADHD, and speech disorders as they get older. Keep in mind, this does not mean that all children with these specific gut microbiome makeups will develop these diagnoses.
Supplements like probiotics are often used for promoting good gut health. Probiotics can also be found naturally in certain foods. You can talk to your pediatrician to find out if probiotic supplements or probiotic-rich foods would be helpful for your child.
Omega-3 fatty acids and speech delay
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered some of the most important supplements for brain function. One study showed a possible link between omega-3 supplementation and language development in children at risk for autism.
DHA, a type of omega-3, has been specifically looked at for its potential support for language development. Research has been mixed in whether or not it supports language growth. Talk to your pediatrician to get their thoughts.
What to do if you think your child has a speech delay
If you take only one thing away from this article, please know: The best thing you can do for your child and their speech delay is to talk with a speech therapist. Speech therapists are experts in communication development and the diagnosis and treatment of speech and language problems.
You can contact a speech therapist directly, or talk to your pediatrician to get started. Here at Expressable, you can schedule a free consultation call with one of our specialists to ask questions and discuss the right next steps.
While nutrition plays a role in your child’s development, having a professional work with your child on their specific needs is the best approach for a speech delay.
Through a speech and language evaluation, your speech therapist will identify your child’s communication strengths and differences, then build a personalized treatment plan for them. Speech therapy focuses on guiding children through tailored activities and exercises to build their speech and language skills. Speech therapists know how to make learning fun and enjoyable for kids, and sessions feature games, toys, crafts, and other activities. Your speech therapist will also show you how to help your child with their speech at home, so they’ll make even faster progress.
Children learn and grow by doing, and through speech therapy, your child will learn what to do in order to communicate. While appropriate nutrition plays a role in your child’s overall development, having a professional work with your child on their specific needs is the best thing you can do for any suspected speech delay.
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