Edna Said:

does my child need to see a speech therapist?

We Answered:

Heidi had a very good answer and is wise in her advice about what you should do to help your child.
Candidacy for speech therapy is determined several ways and treatment will depend on the specific disorder(s). Not every kid will "talk in their own time". A child who develops normally, yes; those with speech and language delay/disorders DO NOT develop speech in their own time.
No one can say at this point how much and what type of therapy your son will need. Only a speech pathologist can determine this by evaluating him.
The general rule about understanding a child's speech is that a stranger should be able to understand 1/2 of what a 2-year-old says, 3/4 of what a 3-year-old says, and 100% of what a 4-year-old says. That does not mean all speech sounds have to be perfect; several sounds don't fully develop until a child is 6 or 7 years old.
With a child your son's age, the therapy seems to the casual observer to just be random play; very much to the contrary. While it may look informal, we have methods and techniques designed just for the child in question, and we are able to shape behavior using them. There's a reason it requires a master's degree, post-graduate fellowship, and state license to practice as a speech pathologist. Things are much more complicated than they appear to the layman.
Get your son evaluated. The earlier intervention begins, the more effective it is. He will also be better-prepared for kindergarten.
See asha.org for more info about speech and language milestones as well as what therapy is about.

Jane Said:

Falsely accused of child neglect (in Canada)?

We Answered:

Just wait and see if anything comes of it (which it probably won't)...if it does they'll investigate and find you innocent.