As parents, we eagerly await our child’s first words. But what happens when those words take longer to come? If your toddler isn’t speaking as much as their peers, you may wonder: Is my child a late talker? Should I be concerned? How can speech therapy help?
Below, we’ll explore what it means to be a late talker, when to seek help, and how The Way You Say LLC can support your child’s speech development.
What Is a Late Talker?
A late talker is a toddler who has a limited spoken vocabulary for their age but is otherwise developing normally in areas like understanding, motor skills, and social interaction.
Speech and Language Milestones for Toddlers
Every child develops at their own pace, but here are some general speech milestones to keep in mind:
- 12 months: Says simple words like “mama” or “dada” and responds to their name.
- 18 months: Uses at least 20 words and begins to imitate words.
- 24 months (2 years old): Says 50+ words and starts combining words into two-word phrases (e.g., “more milk”).
- 30-36 months (3 years old): Can form short sentences, ask simple questions, and be understood by others.
A child may be considered a late talker if by 24 months, they have fewer than 50 words and do not yet use two-word combinations.
Signs Your Toddler May Need Speech Therapy
While some late talkers catch up on their own, early intervention is crucial for those who may have an underlying speech or language delay. Here are some red flags that indicate your child may benefit from speech therapy:
✅ Limited Vocabulary – By 24 months, they use fewer than 50 words.
✅ No Word Combinations – They are not yet putting two words together (e.g., “want toy”).
✅ Difficulty Understanding Language – They don’t follow simple directions like “come here” or “give me the ball.”
✅ Frustration with Communication – They may point, grunt, or tantrum instead of using words.
✅ Lack of Imitation – They rarely attempt to repeat words or sounds after you.
✅ No Gesturing – They don’t wave, nod, or point to communicate.
✅ Speech Sound Issues – Their speech is unclear or they leave off the ends of words.
✅ Regression in Language – They stop using words they once knew.
If you notice these signs, it’s best to consult a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for an evaluation.
Why Do Some Toddlers Talk Late?
There are several reasons why a toddler may be a late talker:
🧬 Family History – If parents or siblings were late talkers, the child might follow a similar pattern.
🍼 Hearing Issues – Chronic ear infections or hearing loss can impact speech development.
👶 Prematurity – Babies born prematurely may develop speech later than their peers.
📺 Limited Verbal Interaction – Too much screen time and not enough real-world conversation can delay speech.
🧩 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – Some children with ASD have delayed speech development and other communication difficulties.
🧠 Speech/Language Disorders – Some late talkers may have a speech delay, language disorder, or oral-motor issues that affect their ability to form words.
How Speech Therapy Helps Late Talkers
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) works with children to develop their speech and language skills through fun and engaging activities. Here’s how speech therapy can help your toddler:
1. Expanding Vocabulary
SLPs use play-based techniques to introduce new words and encourage your child to imitate sounds and phrases.
✅ Modeling Language – Therapists emphasize key words by repeating and exaggerating them (e.g., “BIG ball! The ball is BIG!”).
✅ Using Gestures and Visual Cues – Helping kids associate words with actions and pictures.
✅ Encouraging Naming – Asking simple questions like “What’s this?” to help toddlers learn new words.
2. Encouraging Word Combinations
Once a child learns words, the goal is to combine them into phrases (e.g., “want cookie,” “go park”).
🗣️ Expansion Technique – If a child says “dog,” the therapist expands it to “big dog” or “happy dog.”
🎶 Singing & Rhymes – Using nursery rhymes and songs to encourage two-word phrases.
📖 Storytelling – Reading books and emphasizing simple sentence structures.
3. Teaching Social Communication
Late talkers may struggle with expressing needs and social interaction. Speech therapy helps with:
👀 Eye Contact – Encouraging children to look at others when speaking.
🤝 Turn-Taking Skills – Using games and activities to teach patience in conversation.
💬 Functional Communication – Helping children learn to ask for help or express wants using words instead of gestures.
4. Improving Pronunciation and Clarity
If your toddler’s speech is difficult to understand, speech therapy helps them strengthen oral muscles and practice sounds.
👅 Oral-Motor Exercises – Strengthening the tongue and lips for better articulation.
🔄 Repetition & Drills – Practicing challenging sounds through play-based speech exercises.
🎭 Mimicry Games – Encouraging children to copy the therapist’s sounds and mouth movements.
5. Supporting Parents with At-Home Strategies
SLPs coach parents on how to reinforce speech skills at home. Some easy ways to help your toddler include:
🗣️ Talk Often – Narrate daily activities (e.g., “Mommy is washing the dishes”).
📚 Read Together – Choose interactive books with simple words and colorful pictures.
🎶 Sing Songs – Rhymes and songs help toddlers practice repetitive language patterns.
🤔 Pause for Responses – Ask questions and wait for your child to respond (even if it’s just a sound).
When to Seek Professional Help
If your toddler is not speaking much by age 2 and struggles with understanding or using words, early intervention is key. The earlier a child receives speech therapy, the better their long-term communication skills will be.
At The Way You Say LLC, we specialize in pediatric speech therapy and offer personalized sessions to help your child thrive. Our expert speech therapists use fun, engaging techniques to encourage speech development in a warm and supportive environment.
If you’re concerned about your child being a late talker, you’re not alone! While some toddlers catch up on their own, speech therapy provides the tools and support they need to build strong communication skills early on.
🚀 Early intervention makes a difference! If your toddler struggles with speech, contact The Way You Say LLC today to schedule an evaluation.
📞 Call us at: (201) 525-8926
📩 Email us at: info@thewayyousayllc.com
🌐 Visit our website: https://www.thewayyousayllc.com/
Let’s help your child find their voice and express themselves with confidence! 💙
