There is no definitive age that is considered “too late” for a child to start talking. However, most children will say their first words by 12 months and put together two-word phrases by 24 months. If a child has not begun talking by 18-24 months, there may be cause for concern about speech and language delays. Even if a child starts talking later, consistent intervention can help get them on track with communication skills.
What is the typical age range for babies to start talking?
Most babies will say their first word between 10-15 months. Early talkers may start using words as early as 6 months, while late talkers may not say words until closer to 18 months.
Here is a general timeline for speech milestones in the first few years:
| Age | Speech Milestone |
|---|---|
| 6 months | Babbling sounds like “ba ba” and “da da” |
| 10 months | First words like “mama” or “dada” |
| 12 months | 3-50 words in vocabulary |
| 18 months | 20-100 words in vocabulary |
| 24 months | 250+ words, 2-word phrases like “go byebye” |
As you can see, there is a large range for typical speech development. Some children may reach these milestones earlier or later within a several month range.
When is a speech delay cause for concern?
While every child develops at their own pace, certain milestones can indicate if a child may need extra help with speech and language skills:
– Not babbling or making speech-like sounds by 12 months
– No first words by 18 months
– Less than 50 words or no two-word phrases by 24 months
– Difficulty understanding simple instructions by age 2
– Strangers cannot understand most of what your child says by age 3
If your child is not reaching these milestones, talk to your pediatrician. Early intervention can make a big difference in helping children improve communication abilities.
What causes speech delays?
There are many possible reasons a child may have delayed speech:
Hearing problems
Children need to be able to hear well to imitate sounds and learn words. Frequent ear infections or undiagnosed hearing loss can contribute to language delays. Testing a child’s hearing is often an important first step.
Oral-motor difficulties
Problems with the muscles involved in speaking can make it physically difficult for children to produce clear speech. This includes challenges with the lips, tongue, palate, jaw, etc. Speech therapy is very helpful for improving oral motor skills.
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Conditions like autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, or intellectual disability can impact a child’s speech and language development. Early intervention services tailored to the child’s needs are important.
Environmental factors
If children do not have much verbal interaction or stimulation, this can limit opportunities to learn new words. Having books read aloud, singing songs, and talking/playing with babies and toddlers helps build language skills.
When should you seek help for late talking?
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends seeking an evaluation for any child who:
– Is not using single words by 18 months.
– Is not combining two words together by age 2.
– Has difficulty communicating or cannot be easily understood by family members.
– Has a sibling who needed speech therapy.
Talk to your pediatrician as soon as you have any concerns. They can refer you for speech-language testing and early intervention services. The sooner language delays are identified, the quicker children can get support to improve communication skills.
What kind of professional help is available?
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can assess a child’s speech and language abilities. They determine if a child is delayed or if the challenges are part of a developmental disorder. The SLP designs a tailored treatment plan involving:
Speech therapy
One-on-one sessions focus on speech sound production, increasing vocabulary, learning grammar, conversation skills, using longer phrases, etc. Therapy often incorporates play, books, songs, and repetition exercises.
Language intervention
Activities target improving language comprehension and use. This includes building listening skills, following directions, increasing word knowledge, and learning to communicate wants and needs.
Oral-motor skill exercises
Exercises strengthen the lips, tongue, jaw, and palate muscles needed for speech clarity. This lays the foundation for better articulation and intelligibility.
AAC devices
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices supplement or replace speech. Communication boards, picture exchange systems, or speech-generating devices help nonverbal children communicate.
Parent education
SLPs coach parents on continuing language stimulation at home through books, play, and conversation. Establishing a language-rich home environment accelerates progress.
What results can be expected from speech therapy?
With regular speech-language therapy, most children show good improvement in communication abilities. Progress depends on the severity of the initial delay, cognitive abilities, intervention intensity, and family involvement.
Here are some general outcomes that can be expected:
– 75% achieve normal speech development after 6 months of therapy
– Over 50% improve speech intelligibility within 12 months
– Over 90% successfully transition out of therapy after 1-2 years
– Early intervention before age 3 has the best prognosis
While some speech sound errors may persist, therapy builds functional communication skills for school readiness and socialization. With continued language exposure, speech can continue improving into the school-age years.
What communication strategies can parents use at home?
Parents play a huge role in helping late-talking children improve language abilities. Here are some effective communication strategies to use at home:
| Strategy | Example |
|---|---|
| Respond to babbling and first words | If child says “baba”, respond excitedly “Yes, bottle!” |
| Interpret your child’s gestures and non-word utterances | If reaching toward bananas, say “You want more bananas to eat!” |
| Use simple, short phrases | Instead of full sentences, say “Daddy home” or “Go bye bye” |
| Repeat new words frequently | Use the word “banana” whenever you offer bananas |
| Describe daily activities and objects | “Mommy is washing the dishes. I’m using the yellow sponge.” |
| Read books aloud every day | Stop to name pictures or act out stories |
| Limit screen media exposure | Prioritize face-to-face communication over TV/videos |
| Praise any verbal attempts | “Good job telling me ball!” |
Implementing these strategies starting in infancy builds communication skills. Maintaining a language-rich environment even after your child starts talking helps reinforce vocabulary and grammar development.
What alternative communication options help nonverbal children?
Some children with severe language delays or disorders like autism remain minimally verbal or nonverbal. Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) options can help these children communicate wants and needs.
Sign language
Teaching infants basic signs for common words like “eat”, “drink”, and “more” allows nonverbal children to communicate before they can talk. Research shows baby sign language enhances later spoken language development.
Picture exchange
Children are taught to hand over a picture or symbol of the item they want to “say” the word. Over time, these are combined to form phrases and sentences.
Communication boards
Boards with pictures, symbols, letters, or words are used to point at items to communicate. Low-tech boards can be homemade, while specialized speech-generating devices have digital icons that can speak phrases aloud.
Speech-generating devices (SGDs)
SGDs are electronic tablets or keyboards programmed with vocabulary that produce digital speech when icons are pressed. These devices give a “voice” to nonverbal kids.
Does late talking always indicate a long-term problem?
The good news is late talking often resolves on its own without any long-term effects on language development or school performance.
Here are some statistics on late talkers:
– Up to 50% of late talkers catch up to peers by age 2 without intervention
– Approximately 65% have normal language abilities by the time they enter kindergarten
– Most late talkers do not show cognitive deficits or reading problems later on
– Early intervention boosts outcomes and prevents secondary effects on behavior and social skills
However, some children do have persistent speech and language impairments that continue affecting communication into the school years. Consistent speech-language therapy and school accommodations provide ongoing support for these children.
Conclusion
While most babies start talking between 12-18 months, there is a wide range for typical speech milestones. It is never too late to intervene and help children improve communication abilities. Seeking speech-language evaluation and early intervention services offers the best prognosis when there are concerns about language delays. With therapy and a language-rich home environment, many late talkers can catch up to peers and learn to communicate effectively.