Every child learns to talk on their own timeline, but it's natural to wonder when "on their own timeline" becomes something worth checking. "Late talker" is one of the terms parents hear most often. Here's what it means, what the published milestones say, and what your options are if you're unsure.
What does "late talker" mean?
Speech-language pathologists often use the term late language emergence. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) defines it as "a delay in language onset with no other diagnosed disabilities or developmental delays" in other areas, such as thinking or motor skills.[1] In other words, a late talker is a toddler who is developing as expected in most ways, but whose talking is emerging later than expected.
It's also common. ASHA's summary of the research reports that about 10–20% of 2-year-olds show late language emergence, and that boys are about three times more likely than girls to be late talkers.[1]
Communication milestones from 18 to 30 months
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes milestone checklists for parents. The CDC describes these as things "most children (75% or more)" can do by a certain age, which means they're a reasonable point to ask questions, not the average.[3]
| By this age | Most children (CDC) |
|---|---|
| 18 months | Try to say three or more words besides "mama" or "dada," and follow one-step directions without gestures, like giving you a toy when you say "Give it to me."[2] |
| 2 years | Say at least two words together, like "More milk," point to things in a book when asked, point to at least two body parts, and use gestures beyond waving and pointing, like nodding yes.[3] |
| 30 months | Say about 50 words, combine two or more words with one action word, like "Doggie run," name things in a book, and use words like "I," "me," or "we."[4] |
Signs speech-language pathologists look for
ASHA lists several signs associated with late language emergence, including:[1]
- Fewer than 50 words and no two-word combinations by 24 months
- Delays in understanding language and in using gestures
- Shorter, less complex phrases than expected for age
- Less mature speech sound patterns
ASHA also describes factors that are linked with a higher likelihood of late talking, such as a family history of late language emergence, being male, and lower birth weight.[1] Having a risk factor doesn't mean a child will be a late talker; it's simply part of the picture a clinician considers.
Will my child catch up on their own?
Many do. ASHA reports that approximately 50–70% of children with late language emergence are described as catching up to their peers by late preschool and school age. The same summary notes that, as a group, children who catch up can still score somewhat lower on language measures than peers who talked on time.[1] Because there's no reliable way to know in advance which group a particular child will fall into, many families choose to have their child's communication looked at rather than wait.
The CDC's advice to parents: "Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early." The CDC recommends talking with your child's doctor and asking about developmental screening.[5]
What are the options in Arizona?
For children under 3, Arizona's Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) evaluates referred children and provides services to those who qualify. Under AzEIP policy, a developmental delay is established when a child has not reached 50% of the developmental milestones expected for their age in one or more areas, such as communication.[6] Some toddlers with a noticeable delay don't meet that threshold.
Families can also request a private speech-language evaluation. A private evaluation doesn't depend on meeting a program's eligibility criteria; it describes where your child is now and whether therapy is recommended. If you're weighing that choice, our guide to what to do when a child doesn't qualify for services walks through it, and you can try our free milestone quiz as a starting point.
The bottom line
Milestone checklists are a guide, not a verdict. If your toddler's talking is on your mind, it's reasonable to ask your pediatrician about developmental screening and to talk with a speech-language pathologist. A conversation costs nothing, and it can replace months of wondering with a clear picture.
Sources
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.). Late Language Emergence (Practice Portal). ASHA.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d.). Milestones by 18 Months. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early..
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d.). Milestones by 2 Years. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early..
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d.). Milestones by 30 Months. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early..
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d.). CDC's Developmental Milestones. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early..
- Arizona Department of Economic Security (n.d.). Eligibility for the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP Policy 800). Arizona DES.
Articles from Speech Me Therapy, a pediatric speech-language therapy practice in North Phoenix serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and families across Arizona by telehealth. Our posts summarize published guidance from professional and public health organizations; sources are listed at the end of every article.