Is My Child a Late Talker? Signs of a Language Delay and When to Seek Support

As parents, we celebrate every new word, every little sound, and every funny phrase our children come up with. But sometimes, you may find yourself wondering: “Should my child be talking more by now?” or “Is this a sign of a speech delay?”

The truth is that every child develops at their own pace - some speak earlier, and some take a little more time. While this can be perfectly normal, there are also certain red flags for a language delay that parents should be aware of. The good news? When caught early, speech therapy can make a big difference.

At Bilingual Speechie LLC, we specialize in helping families navigate these questions. This guide will walk you through what it means to be a late talker, common signs to look for, tips for supporting language at home, and when to seek professional help.

What Does It Mean to Be a Late Talker?

A late talker is a child who may be developing typically in other areas (like motor skills or play skills) but has fewer words than expected for their age.

• By 18 months, many toddlers use around 10–20 words.
• By 24 months (2 years), children usually have about 50 words and begin combining two words (like “more juice” or “go park”).

Some late talkers catch up on their own, but others may continue to experience a language delay in toddlers that requires extra support. Early intervention helps identify which children may need that boost.

💡 Important note for bilingual families: Being bilingual does not cause speech or language delays. If your child is learning two languages, their vocabulary may be divided between them, but what matters is their total number of words across both languages.

Red Flags for a Language Delay (By Age)

Here are some signs that your child may need support with their speech and language development:

By 12 months:

• No babbling (like “ba-ba” or “da-da”).
• Doesn’t use gestures like waving or pointing.
• Doesn’t respond consistently to their name.

By 18 months:

• Fewer than 10–20 words.
• Doesn’t try to imitate sounds or words.
• Limited interest in communicating needs.

By 24 months (2 years):

• Fewer than 50 words.
• Not combining two words (e.g., “bye-bye mama”).
• Struggles to understand simple directions.

By 3 years:

• Speech is hard to understand, even to family.
• Rarely uses sentences.
• Difficulty following two-step directions.

If you notice several of these red flags for language delay, it’s a good idea to reach out for support. Look for more details speech/language milestones here. 

Tips for Helping Late Talkers at Home

Whether or not your child is officially a “late talker,” there are many things you can do at home to encourage communication.

1. Talk throughout daily routines. Describe what you’re doing while cooking, cleaning, playing, etc. (“We’re putting on socks. One sock, two socks!”)
2. Read books together every day. Simple, repetitive stories are great for toddlers. Pause and let your child point or “fill in” words.
3. Expand on what your child says. If they say “car,” you can respond: “Yes, a big red car!”
4. Offer choices. Instead of “Do you want something?” try: “Do you want milk or juice?”
5. Limit screen time. Face-to-face interaction is much more powerful for language growth than time on screens.

These simple strategies provide the best help for late talkers at home and create a rich language-learning environment.

When to Seek Speech Therapy

If you’re unsure whether your child is just a late talker or showing signs of a bigger challenge, remember: trust your instincts. Parents often know when something isn’t quite right.

It’s a good idea to seek professional support if:

• Your child is not meeting key communication milestones.
• Your child is struggling to understand you.
• Your child becomes frustrated because they can’t express themselves.
• Your child’s speech is very difficult to understand.

Knowing when to seek speech therapy is important because early support helps children build confidence and strong communication skills for school, friendships, and daily life.

How Bilingual Speechie Can Help

At Bilingual Speechie LLC, we provide evaluations and therapy that are:

• Bilingual – supporting both languages equally.
• Culturally Responsive – affirming your child’s identity and background.
• Neurodiverse-Affirming – celebrating your child’s unique way of communicating.

Whether your child has expressive and receptive language delays, is a late talker, or you just want peace of mind, we’re here to help.