My child's speech is unclear. When and which specialist should I consult?

Don't decide whether to wait based on age alone—look at the impact on daily life and any changes. Seek advice if: hardly anyone outside the family understands them; the child is troubled by not being understood or avoids speaking; the error patterns change greatly each time; the voice is extremely soft, hoarse, or strained; there's also difficulty eating, swallowing, or breathing; speech they could do before has decreased; or hearing is in question. A speech-language pathologist, pediatrician, or otolaryngologist (ENT) is the entry point. Depending on the symptoms, coordinate with dentistry/orthodontics, feeding and swallowing, and the developmental/neurological fields. If there's a sudden change in speech, difficulty breathing, or bluish lips, seek medical care promptly.