Is My Toddler a Late Talker? Signs to Watch For

May 28

It’s one of the most common questions parents ask:
“Should my toddler be talking more by now?”

If you’re noticing fewer words than expected or you feel like something might be off, you are not alone. Many toddlers experience delays in talking, and early support can make a huge difference.

Below is a clear, parent-friendly guide to understanding whether your toddler may be a “late talker,” when to seek help, and what early speech therapy can do.

What Is a Late Talker?

A Late Talker is a toddler (typically around 18–30 months) who has:

Strong social skills
Good play skills
Good understanding of language
BUT fewer spoken words than expected

In other words, they understand more than they can say.

Late talking is common, but it’s not something to “wait and see” for too long.

How Many Words Should My Toddler Be Saying?

These are general milestones:

By 12 months:

Babbles (mamama, bababa)
Uses 1–2 meaningful words (“mama,” “ball,” “hi”)
Imitates sounds

By 18 months:

10–20 words
Points to things they want
Uses simple words during play

By 24 months (2 years):

50+ words
Begins combining words (“more juice,” “mommy go”)
Follows simple directions

By 30 months (2.5 years):

200+ words
Speaking in short phrases
Vocabulary grows rapidly

If your child is not close to these ranges, early speech therapy may be helpful.

Signs Your Toddler May Be a Late Talker

1. Fewer than 20 words by 18 months

2. Fewer than 50 words by 24 months

3. Not combining words by age 2

4. Minimal imitation of sounds or words

5. Difficulty expressing needs using words

6. Limited gestures (pointing, waving, reaching)

7. Frustration when trying to communicate

If you’re seeing several of these signs, it’s worth having a speech evaluation.

What Causes Late Talking?

Many late talkers catch up on their own — but many do not without support.

Possible contributing factors:

Family history of late talking
Recurrent ear infections
Differences in motor planning
Reduced exposure to spoken language
Temperament (quiet, shy, cautious)
Prematurity
Birth complications
Oral-motor differences

Late talking is not caused by parent behavior.

When Should I Seek a Speech Evaluation?

You should consider reaching out if:

✔ You have any concerns

✔ Your child is frustrated or struggling to communicate

✔ Their vocabulary isn’t growing steadily

✔ They aren’t combining words by age 2

✔ Their speech is difficult for you to understand

✔ They aren’t imitating sounds or gestures

Early support leads to faster progress and reduces long-term communication challenges.

How Speech Therapy Helps Late Talkers

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) works on:

Building vocabulary
Teaching functional communication
Improving imitation skills
Encouraging word combinations
Supporting gestures and early social communication
Coaching parents in natural language strategies
Therapy is play-based, child-led, and fun

What You Can Do at Home Today

Here are simple ways to support communication:

Follow your child’s lead in play

Comment on what they’re doing (“Car go!”).

Model, don’t quiz

Instead of asking “What’s this?” try saying:
“Apple! Yum! Big apple!”

Use routines

Bath time, meals, and dressing are perfect for repetition.

Repeat words often

Children need lots of exposure to new vocabulary.

Respond to all communication

Gestures, sounds, and attempts all count.

These strategies help build a strong foundation for speech and language.

When to Reach Out for Help

If your toddler is between 18 and 30 months and not meeting expected milestones, a speech evaluation can provide clarity and help you understand what your child needs.

Early action = better outcomes.