At Theracare Pediatric Services, we understand the concerns parents face when their child isn’t meeting speech milestones. Is your child a late talker? Learn what it means, what common signs to look for, and how to support your child’s speech and language development in this helpful blog post.

Children grow and develop at their own pace, but there are common milestones for speech and language development that parents can look out for. If your child isn’t meeting these milestones on time, it’s natural to wonder if they may have a speech delay. Recognizing the signs of a speech delay early can help you take the right steps to support your child’s communication skills.

What is a Speech Delay?

A speech delay happens when a child has difficulty using spoken language at the expected developmental age. Most babies start saying their first words between 12 and 18 months. By the age of 2.5 years, a child should typically have a vocabulary of around 50 words, although their pronunciation may still be unclear. Speech delays can also cause difficulty understanding spoken words or following verbal instructions. Tracking your toddler’s progress using a speech milestones chart can help you identify typical speech development patterns and spot early signs of a delay. Early intervention is key to helping children overcome speech and language delays.

What is a Late Talker?

A late talker is a toddler who starts speaking later than other kids their age, typically between 2 and 3 years old. While they may use few words or have delayed speech, late talkers often understand spoken language well and show normal development in other areas like social, thinking, and motor skills. If your child shows signs of delayed speech, it’s important to know that many late talkers catch up with the right support and guidance. Learn more about late talking and what you can do to help your child communicate effectively.

What Causes a Speech Delay?

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, speech delays in children can have a variety of causes. Common causes include autism, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, expressive language disorders, and psychosocial factors. If your child shows signs of a speech delay, it’s important to understand the potential reasons and seek early intervention to support their development.

When Should My Child Begin Speaking?

Most children say their first word between 12 and 18 months. Parents often wonder, “When do babies start talking?” While every child is different, most begin forming their first words around their birthday.

If your child isn’t speaking by their first birthday, don’t worry—there are many ways to support late talkers and help them develop their speech and language skills. Early intervention is key, and if your child is under three years old, you can reach out to Theracare Pediatric Services to see if they qualify for speech therapy or other developmental services. Along with seeking professional help, you can also do simple speech development activities at home to encourage your child’s communication skills. Supporting your late talker early can make a big difference in their progress!

How to Encourage Your Toddler to Talk

1. Self Talk

Self-talk is a powerful and simple activity you can practice anywhere, anytime, without special tools or materials. This technique involves narrating what you see, hear, or do, helping to build mindfulness and focus. Practicing self-talk regularly can improve self-awareness, boost confidence, and support mental well-being. Whether at home, at work, or on the go, self-talk is an easy way to stay present and positive.

Self-talk might initially feel awkward, but it’s an amazing way to help your child learn and grow. This simple strategy helps teach your child new vocabulary, improves language development, and shows them how to form words into phrases and sentences. By practicing self-talk, you give your child the tools they need to build strong communication skills.

2. Parallel Talk

Parallel talk is a powerful technique for supporting your child’s language development. Like self-talk, it involves narrating what is happening around you—what you see, hear, and do. However, the key difference is that parallel talk focuses on describing things from your child’s perspective. This approach helps your child connect words to their own experiences, making it an effective way to encourage speech and communication skills. Incorporating parallel talk into everyday activities is a great place to start if you’re looking for ways to boost your child’s language learning.

If your child is playing with blocks, try saying something like, “Wow, that tower is so big!” Talking about activities or toys your child is already focused on can help grab their attention and keep them interested. This simple approach makes it easier for your child to listen and learn new words faster, boosting their vocabulary development.

3. Choices

Encouraging language development in late talkers can be as simple as offering choices. Providing choices is a proven way to support communication skills and boost interaction. Here’s how it works: hold up two items your child might like, such as a toy car and a book. Name each item clearly as you show it to your child. Then, ask, “Which one do you want?” If your child responds by pointing, looking, or making a sound, give them the item they chose. When you hand it over, reinforce their choice by naming the object again, like saying, “Here’s the book.” This simple activity helps improve communication skills in late talkers and encourages them to express their preferences effectively.

4. Toy Placement

If your home feels overrun with toys, you’re not alone—many households with kids face the same challenge. A simple solution is to move some of your child’s favorite toys out of reach but still within sight. This parenting tip helps reduce toy clutter and encourages your child to engage and communicate. When toys are out of reach, your child may ask for them differently depending on age. For toddlers who are not yet speaking, this could mean pointing or looking at the toy they want. When they do, you can help by naming the toy, like saying “blocks” or “teddy.” This simple strategy supports language development while keeping your home more organized. Try this easy parenting hack today to promote communication and reduce toy mess!

5. Time Delay

Parents and caregivers often try to encourage communication by talking more when a child has a speech delay. While speaking to your child is important for language development, knowing when to stay quiet is just as crucial. This is where the time delay technique comes in. By pausing and creating intentional moments of silence, you allow your child to process and respond, which can help improve speech and language skills. Time delay is a simple yet effective strategy for supporting children with delayed speech or late talking.

The time delay technique is a powerful strategy to encourage communication skills in children. By pausing for a few seconds, you allow your child to try and communicate their needs or wants. Avoid providing language models, asking questions, or predicting what your child might want during this pause. For example, if your child is reaching for a snack that’s out of their reach, resist the urge to grab it for them immediately. Instead, wait and observe. This method promotes speech development and helps your child practice expressing themselves. Using the time delay technique effectively can be a key step in building communication skills and fostering independence in children.

If you’re looking for simple and effective ways to help your late talker improve their language skills, start by choosing strategies that are easy to use in your daily routine. Consistency is key—using these techniques regularly can significantly boost your child’s speech development. By encouraging language output through proven methods, you can support your late talker and help them reach important communication milestones.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your child:

• Isn’t using words by 18 months
• Struggles to imitate sounds
• Gets frustrated when trying to communicate
• Has difficulty understanding simple directions

How Theracare Pediatric Services Can Help

At Theracare Pediatric Services, we provide expert pediatric therapy services to help your child reach their full potential. Our team of experienced speech, occupational, and physical therapists creates tailored therapy plans designed to support your child’s growth and development. Using play-based learning activities and structured exercises, we focus on improving speech and language skills, motor skills, and overall confidence. If you’re looking for trusted child therapy services to help your child thrive, Theracare is here to support you every step of the way.

Schedule a consultation today to help your child improve their communication skills! Contact us now to take the first step in supporting your child’s speech and language development.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between a late talker and a speech delay?

A late talker is a child who understands language but struggles to express themselves verbally. A speech delay occurs when a child’s speech development lags behind typical milestones, often due to underlying issues like hearing loss or oral-motor difficulties.

2. At what age should I be concerned if my child isn’t talking?

If your child isn’t using single words by 12-15 months, two-word phrases by 24 months, or has difficulty understanding simple instructions, it may be time to consult a speech therapist.

3. What are common causes of speech delays in toddlers?

Speech delays can result from:

• Hearing loss
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Oral-motor difficulties
• Premature birth
• Limited language exposure

4. How can I encourage my toddler to start talking?

Try these simple techniques:

Self-Talk – Describe daily activities using simple words.

Parallel Talk – Narrate what your child is doing.

Give Choices – Encourage responses by offering two options.

Use Time Delays – Pause to let them complete a familiar phrase.

5. Can bilingual children have speech delays?

Bilingual children may take longer to start speaking as they process multiple languages, but this is not a true speech delay. They typically catch up and benefit from enhanced cognitive skills.

6. How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?

Consider speech therapy if your child:

• Isn’t using words by 18 months
•  Struggles to imitate sounds
•  Gets frustrated when trying to communicate
•  Has trouble following directions

7. How long does it take for speech therapy to show results?

Progress varies, but with consistent therapy and parental support, many children show improvement within a few months. Early intervention leads to better long-term outcomes.

8. Is speech delay a sign of autism?

While speech delays can be a sign of autism, not all late talkers are on the autism spectrum. A comprehensive evaluation by a specialist can determine the cause of the delay.