Maybe your toddler isn’t saying as many words as their cousin, or your preschooler is still hard for others to understand. It’s natural to wonder: is my child just a late bloomer, or is this a speech delay?
The honest answer is that children learn to talk at different times, and there’s a wide range of normal. But there are some clear signs that it’s worth having a speech-language pathologist take a closer look. Here’s what to watch for.
What Is a “Late Talker”?
“Late talker” usually describes a toddler, often between 18 and 30 months, who understands language well and is developing normally in play, movement and social skills, but uses fewer spoken words than expected for their age. Some late talkers catch up on their own. Others continue to have trouble with speech or language and benefit from therapy. Because it’s hard to tell which group a child is in just by waiting, an early screening is a smart, low-pressure first step.
7 Signs It’s Time for a Speech Screening
1. Fewer words than expected
By around 24 months, most children use and understand at least 50 words and are starting to put two words together, like “more milk.” A much smaller vocabulary, or few new words each month, is worth checking.
2. Not combining words by age 2
Two-word phrases are a big milestone. If your child is still only using single words well past their second birthday, a screening can help.
3. Trouble understanding
Children usually understand words before they say them. If your child has trouble following simple directions or pointing to familiar objects when you name them, let us know.
4. Few gestures
Pointing, waving and reaching to be picked up are early building blocks of communication. Toddlers who use lots of gestures are more likely to catch up on words; fewer gestures can be a sign to look closer.
5. Speech that’s hard to understand
By age 4, most children can be understood by people outside the family most of the time. If teachers, friends or relatives often can’t understand your child, a speech evaluation can pinpoint which sounds need practice.
6. Frustration or losing skills
Frequent meltdowns when trying to communicate, or losing words your child used to say, are reasons to reach out sooner rather than later.
7. Feeding or swallowing struggles
Speech therapists also help with feeding. Ongoing trouble chewing, swallowing or accepting a variety of foods is something we can evaluate too.
Why Not Just Wait and See?
Many parents are told to wait, and sometimes waiting is the right call. But you don’t have to wait if you’re concerned. A screening doesn’t lock you into anything. A speech-language pathologist can tell you whether your child is on track, share tips to try at home, suggest checking back in a few months, or recommend therapy if it would help. Either way, you’ll have a clear answer and a plan.
What Happens Next
At Premier Therapy Associates, the first step is a free speech screening. If your child would benefit from more support, our team completes a full evaluation and builds a one-on-one plan around your child’s goals. We see children and adults at our Idaho Falls and Rexburg clinics, and we accept most insurance plans.
Want to see where your child is today? Check out our free speech and language milestones guide.
Schedule a Free Speech Screening
Not sure if your child needs speech therapy? Our speech-language pathologists in Idaho Falls and Rexburg offer free screenings for children and adults. We accept Medicaid, Medicare and almost all commercial insurance plans.
Sources
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Late Blooming or Language Problem?
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Communication Milestones: 19 to 24 Months
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Communication Milestones: 3 to 4 Years
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for an evaluation by a licensed speech-language pathologist.