When to Worry About Late Talking: Red Flags Parents Should Know

One of the most frequent questions we hear is: “Should I be worried that my child isn’t talking yet?”

If your toddler is a “late talker” - you are not alone! AND you are definitely not doing anything wrong. But how do you know when to seek help?

Let’s dive in…

What is a Late Talker?

A late talker is typically defined as a child that has less than 50 words at 24 months, but is otherwise developing typically in other areas like play, social skills, and understanding of language.

Many late talkers will catch up on their own - but not all. That is why early support and awareness are important.

Important Speech and Language Milestones

By 12 months:

• Babbles with different sounds like “ba-da”
• Vocalizes to gain attention
• Says 1 or 2 words with meaning (it doesn’t have to be a perfect production)
• Responds to their name
• Follows simple directions

By 18 months:

• Says between 10-50 words
• Uses gestures like pointing consistently
• Tries to imitate simple words
• Understands simple “what” and “where” questions
• Answers yes/no questions

By 24 months:

• Says 50-300 words
• Strings sounds and words together to sound like they are trying to say a sentences
• Begins to combine words together
• Starts asking “what” and “where” questions
• Points to familiar objects when named
• Understands new words rapidly

By 36 months:

• Vocabulary explodes to 450-1000
• Uses short sentences of 3-4 words in length
• Uses a variety of word combinatins
• Uses a variety of pronouns
• Grammar is emerging
• Primarily uses words to communicate wants and needs
• Mostly intelligible to caregivers

When to Worry: Red Flags

Here are some signs your child may benefit from a speech and language evaluation:

• No babbling or very few sounds by 12 months
• Not saying any words by 16-18 months
• Less than 50 words by age 2
• Not combining words by 2.5 years
• Limited eye contact or social interaction
• Lack of pretend play
• Frequent ear infections
• Hard to understand
• Frustrated when trying to communicate

Remember - trust your gut! If something feels off, it is ALWAYS okay to ask for help.

What Causes Late Talking?

There are many possible reasons children why children may have a speech and language delay including:

• A family history of a speech and language delay
• Hearing problems (frequent ear infections can cause temporary hearing loss)
• Developmental delays
• Environmental factors

BUT most often we don’t know.

What Can You Do As a Parent

Here’s how you can support your late talker at home:

• Model, don’t quiz

Repeat and expand on your child’s sounds and words instead of asking questions. For example, if your child says “car” you can say “Yes! The red car is going fast!”

• Play face-to-face

Get down on your child’s level and join in their laying using simple, repetitive language.

• Limit passive screen time

Focus on interactive activists like reading, singing, and playing!

• Narrate daily activities and routines

Talk about what you are doing. Children need to hear words a lot before they use them and the more you narrate the more your child will hear important words!

• Seek a professional opinion early

You don’t need a referral or diagnosis to speak to a speech and language pathologist. Most SLPs will be happy to talk to you!

Final Thoughts

Having a late talker can be stressful - but you are not alone. If you are wondering when to worry about your late talker, the best first step is to get information. Early intervention leads to better outcomes!