Is my child a late talker? Signs your child may need speech therapy
A simple, parent-friendly guide to late talking — what's typical at 18–24 months, the signs worth acting on, and when to see a speech therapist.
A late talker is usually a toddler between about 18 and 30 months who understands well and is developing typically in other ways, but is slow to start talking. The most widely used guide: by 24 months, a child who uses fewer than 50 words and isn't yet putting two words together (like “more milk” or “daddy go”) is considered a late talker — and worth a speech-language assessment.
The good news: many late talkers catch up. The important news: we can't reliably tell in advance which children will — so acting early is the safest, kindest choice.
What's typical at 18–24 months?
Children vary, but as a rough guide (per ASHA communication milestones):
- By 13–18 months: follows simple directions like “give me the ball” and uses a handful of words.
- By 19–24 months: begins combining two words (“more water”, “go outside”) and has a growing vocabulary of roughly 50+ words by 24 months.
Signs your child may need speech therapy
Consider an assessment if, around 18–24 months, your child:
- Uses very few words, or none yet, by 18–24 months.
- Isn't combining two words by 24 months.
- Is hard to understand, even for family.
- Rarely points, gestures or shows you things to share interest.
- Doesn't respond to their name, or responds inconsistently.
- Gets frustrated because they can't make themselves understood.
Late talker or language disorder?
A “late talker” is typically delayed in talking but otherwise on track, often with strong understanding. When delays affect understanding too, or persist, it may point to a language disorder. You don't need to diagnose this yourself — a speech-language therapist will assess both how your child understands and how they express language, and explain what they find.
What helps at home
- Narrate your day in short, simple language tied to what you're doing.
- Follow their lead — talk about whatever has your child's attention right now.
- Expand what they say: if they say “car”, you say “red car”.
- Read together daily, and keep screen time low for under-2s.
- Pause and wait — give your child time to take a turn.
Sources
This guide is for general information and isn't a substitute for individual professional advice.
Common questions about speech & language
- My child isn't speaking like other children his age. What should I do?
- Start with an evaluation by a paediatrician or child psychologist. They may recommend a hearing (audiology) test and refer your child to a speech-language therapist. An early assessment helps pinpoint the cause and the right support.
- My child repeats sentences after me, even when I ask a question. How do I stop it?
- This is called echolalia, and it's a normal part of language development that usually fades by around age 3. At home, use short language tied to what you're doing, model the response you want, and pause to give your child a chance to reply rather than repeat. If it persists past age 3, see a speech therapist.
- My child has a speech delay — how long will therapy take?
- It depends on the number and type of speech errors: more errors generally mean longer treatment. Therapy continues until your child can learn and use language independently. Consistency and home practice shorten the journey.
- My child is slow to talk, but the therapist referred us to occupational therapy. Why?
- Attention or sensory-processing difficulties can make it hard for a child to stay regulated enough to learn language. Addressing those foundations in occupational therapy first often helps speech therapy progress faster.
- My child talks at home but not at school. Is something wrong?
- Consistently not speaking in certain settings (like school) while speaking comfortably at home can indicate selective mutism. A speech therapist or child psychologist can assess and guide a gradual, low-pressure plan.
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