Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
When your child isn’t talking as expected, it’s natural to feel worried or confused. You might find yourself searching online for phrases like "18-month-old not talking." Friends and family might offer their own takes, like “Oh, boys just talk late” or “My child didn’t talk until they were 3.” Even some doctors recommend waiting until age 2 to seek help.
But what if waiting doesn’t feel right for your late talker? It’s best to trust your instincts. As speech-language pathologists who have helped thousands of children find their voice, we’re here to guide you. Read on to learn the difference between talking “late” and a speech delay, along with signs that speech therapy might be needed.
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Screener for childrenWhat is a “late talker”?
A late talker is a toddler, usually between 18 and 30 months, who has a smaller spoken vocabulary than expected for their age. Despite this delay, late talkers often have typical development in other areas, like understanding language, play, motor skills, and social interactions.
A late talker has a delay specific to expressive language, meaning they struggle to use words to communicate. While the exact cause is unclear, research shows late talkers are more likely to have a family history of language delays, be male, or have been born prematurely or with low birth weight.
A late talker does not have an obvious cause for their delay–no major developmental delays, hearing loss, or intellectual disabilities.
Is my child a late talker, or is it a speech delay?
If you’re wondering whether your child is simply a late bloomer or has a speech delay that needs support, here are some signs of speech delay to watch for:
Limited vocabulary: Says fewer than 50 words by age 2
Slow vocabulary growth: Words come in slowly compared to other kids their age
Trouble combining words: Struggles to form two-word phrases like “more juice” or “bye-bye Daddy”
If your child has any of these signs, having an evaluation with a speech-language pathologist is a good next step.
It’s also helpful to know the speech and language milestones expected for your child’s age. This can help you determine whether your child is on track, or if they might need extra support.
You’ll notice that for many of these milestones, there’s a range. While there is a general timeline for speech and language development, kids develop at their own rates. For example, some children will say their first word at around 12 months old. Others don’t start talking for a few more months.
Communication milestones by age
Smiles, makes eye contact, responds to social cues
Babbles and experiments with sounds
Begins to use simple gestures like waving
Says first words
Follows simple directions
Recognizes names of common items and people
Uses at least 50 words
Combines words into simple phrases (“want cookie”)
Speaks clearly enough for family to understand about 50% of the time
Beyond 24 months:
Vocabulary keeps growing
Begins forming longer sentences
Understands and follows more complex instructions
Signs for potential concerns beyond age 2 include:
Limited vocabulary
Difficulty combining words
Speech that’s hard to understand
Low engagement or lack of interaction with other people
Trouble understanding simple directions
When should you seek help for your child’s speech?
If your child isn’t meeting these milestones, it’s worth contacting a speech-language pathologist (also known as a speech therapist). It’s also important to check your child’s hearing, even if they seem to hear well. Subtle hearing issues can affect speech and language development.
Early intervention is powerful! Research shows that children who start speech therapy early are more likely to catch up to their peers.
Schedule a free consult
Ask questions, share concerns, and learn about online speech therapy at Expressable during a free 15-minute call with one of our specialists.
Free consultationTips for helping your late talker at home
You can create a language-rich environment to encourage speech and language development. Here are some ways to support your child’s speech at home:
Talk to your child throughout the day: Narrate your day, including yours and your child’s actions. (“I’m washing the dishes. The water is warm!”)
Offer choices: Instead of anticipating your child’s needs, give them options to encourage communication (“Do you want apples or bananas?”)
Model simple language: Use short, simple phrases and repeat words often. Hold objects near your mouth when naming them to draw attention to your speech.
Pause and wait: After you say something, pause and give your child time to respond. Even if they don’t say a full word, responding with sounds or gestures is a step forward.
Read books together: Choose books with repetitive language and engaging pictures. Point to the pictures and label them. Encourage your child to imitate your words or sounds.
Teach simple signs: Teach your child basic sign language for common words like “more,” “all done,” or “help.” This can give your child a way to communicate while building their confidence in using words.
Speech therapy can help late talkers
Speech therapy can provide personalized support to help your late talker catch up and build strong communication skills for life.
Speech therapy for toddlers often looks like play — but each activity is carefully designed to build communication skills. For example, a speech therapist might use a puzzle to practice the /m/ sound. They’ll encourage your child to say “mmmmm” or “more” to ask for pieces.
At Expressable, online speech therapy isn’t about keeping your child seated and watching a screen. Instead, our speech therapists use a parent coaching model, guiding you on how to play and interact with your child in ways that naturally help their language development. Practicing these techniques with your child throughout the week will help them make faster progress.
If you’re concerned about your child’s speech, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Schedule a free consultation call to talk with one of our specialists. We’ll answer your questions and help you determine the next best steps for your child’s language growth. Schedule a call today — we’re here to help your child find their voice!
