Late Talkers
- Helping little ones grow their vocabulary -
Is my child a late talker?
While out and about with your little one you may start to notice other kids the same age using more words and you may wonder:
- How many words should by child be saying?
- Should I be worried?
- Will they catch up?
- What can I do to help my kiddo?
It is good to be curious and you are not the only parent that has had these thoughts go through their head. If your little is not developing their vocabulary as expected they many benefit from support form a speech therapist and we are here for you!
What is a Late Talker?
A child is considered to be a late talker if they are between the ages of 18 months and 3 years and their vocabulary is not as developed as their peers.
Children considered to be late talkers, typically demonstrate an appropriate understanding of language and play skills for their age.
?
A word is any sound, sign, or word-like expression that a child uses consistently, intentionally, and independently. This includes:
✔️ Real words (e.g., “up”)
✔️ Approximations (e.g., “ba” for “ball”)
✔️ Sound effects (e.g., “moo” for “cow”)
✔️ Sign language (e.g., “more,” “all done”)
If your home is bilingual or multilingual, all words across languages are considered when assessing vocabulary development.
What counts as a word?
Key Language Milestones
12 Months
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Babbling with a variety of sounds and intonations
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Uses 1-2 meaningful words
18 Months
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Says 10-20 words frequently
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Points to objects of interest
2 Years
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Has 50+ words and begins using two-word phrases (e.g., “mom up”)
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Uses tone to ask questions (e.g., “more milk?”)
3 Years
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Says 1,000+ words and speaks in three or more word phrases
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Familiar listeners understand at least 80% of what your child is saying
Signs your child may be a late talker...
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18 months: Fewer than 20 words
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24 months: Not yet combining words into two-word phrases
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Relies on gestures or caregivers to communicate instead of using words
The Power of Early Intervention
The "wait and see" approach is great if you're watching the stars—but when it comes to your child’s speech and language development, research shows that early intervention leads to the best outcomes. Taking action now can make a meaningful difference in your child’s ability to communicate effectively.
Our Therapy Services
At True North SLP, we are committed to understanding your child’s communication challenges so we can help set them up for success. Every child deserves the opportunity to confidently express themselves, and we are here to support them every step of the way.
In-Home Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions in your home allows your child to learn in a familiar setting, making sessions more effective and convenient.
Ongoing Parent Support
We aim to empower parents with resources and strategies to support their child beyond the therapy session.
Personalized Goals
After a comprehensive assessment, we develop personalized goals tailored to your child's specific area of needs and challenges.
Flexible Scheduling
Book speech therapy sessions that fits your busy schedule, so therapy works seamlessly into your life.
Engaging Therapy Sessions
We strive to create therapy sessions that incorporate your child's interests while working towards their goals in a structured manner.
Knowledgeable SLPs
We are dedicated to helping your child reach their full potential through joy and evidence-based practice.
Getting Started is Easy...
Share information about your child and your primary concerns.
We aim to respond to your speech therapy request within 1-2 business days.
Get connected with an SLP
Discuss with a speech therapist what you hope to achieve through therapy sessions. As well, gain insights into how we can help.
Start Speech Therapy
Begin personalized speech therapy sessions in your home that support your child's unique communication needs.
At True North SLP, we are here to guide and support your child’s journey to confident communication.
Let’s go on this journey together!