Late Talkers: Why Your Child Understands But Can’t Speak & How Speech Therapy Can Help
Having a child who’s a "late talker" can be confusing and a bit worrying for families. Your toddler might understand directions, follow routines, and respond to questions—yet, they don’t say any words or aren’t talking as much as other kids their age.
Who Are Late Talkers?
Late talkers are kids between 18–30 months who understand a lot of what’s going on around them and interact well but use fewer words than most kids their age. They might follow directions like “put on your shoes” or respond when you ask, “Where’s your toy?” but struggle to say what’s on their mind. Research shows that around 70-80% of late talkers eventually catch up to their peers by school age, often without needing any special help [1, 2]. However, some kids may continue to face challenges with language, literacy, and learning, which can impact their reading, writing, and school performance [3].
Understanding How Language Develops: Listening Before Speaking
It’s normal for kids to understand more than they can say—this is called having stronger “receptive language” skills (what they understand) compared to their “expressive language” skills (what they can say). For example, a toddler might be able to follow simple instructions long before they can say those words themselves. So, if your child understands what you’re saying but isn’t talking much, they might fall into the “late talker” category [4].
Early Language Milestones: What to Watch For
Knowing typical language milestones can help you see if your child is on track or may need some extra support. Here’s a quick look at expressive language milestones from birth to age 4, based on guidance from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) [5]:
Birth to 3 months: Makes cooing sounds like "oooo" and "aahh," and exchanges sounds with you.
3 to 6 months: Laughs, giggles, and makes varied sounds (e.g., “aaaaaagoo”). Blows “raspberries.”
7 to 9 months: Babbles with repeated sounds (e.g., “mamamama”) and uses sounds to get attention.
10 to 12 months: Says word-like utterances like "mama" or "dada"
13 to 18 months: Uses gestures to communicate, responds to simple questions, and looks around when prompted.
19 to 24 months: Says and understands at least 50 words and begins to combine them (e.g., “more water”) while using words like “mine” or “Daddy’s.”
2 to 3 years: Strings words together often, uses plurals and action words (e.g., "running"), and answers simple “why” or “how” questions.
3 to 4 years: Tells basic stories, uses comparison words like “bigger,” and is mostly understandable by age 4.
When Should You Reach Out for Help?
Most kids with early language delays catch up on their own, but some may benefit from extra support. Here are some signs it may be time to talk to a speech therapist:
No gestures (like pointing or waving) by 12 months.
Very few or no words by 18 months.
Fewer than 50 words and no word combinations by 24 months.
Difficulty understanding directions.
Family history of language delays.
How Speech Pathologists Can Help with Late Talking
Speech pathologists, also called SLPs (Speech-Language Pathologists), play a big role in identifying whether a late talker might need extra support. They assess your child’s understanding and use of language to create a customized speech therapy plan. This plan may include play-based therapy, language modeling, and interactive activities that make talking fun and engaging for your child. Early intervention from a speech pathologist can be key to helping late talkers improve expressive language, enhance social skills, and support school readiness.
Final Thoughts
Every child learns at their own pace, and it’s normal to feel worried if your child isn’t talking as much as others. Knowing what’s typical, watching for signs that extra help might be needed, and seeking support if necessary can help you feel confident that your child is on the right path. Early support can make a big difference, helping kids reach their full potential in communication and beyond.
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Hammer, C. S., Scarpino, S. E., & Davison, M. D. (2017). Preschool language development in bilingual children: The role of language exposure, maternal education, and bilingualism. Journal of Communication Disorders, 69, 56–68.
Hawa, V. V., & Spanoudis, G. (2013). Toddlers with delayed expressive language: An overview of characteristics, risk factors, and language outcomes. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34(9), 3373–3385.
Rescorla, L. (2002). Language and reading outcomes to age 9 in late-talking toddlers. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 45(2), 360–371.
Roos, E. M., & Weismer, S. E. (2008). Language outcomes of late-talking toddlers at preschool and beyond. Perspectives on Language Learning and Education, 15(3), 119–126.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). (n.d.). Speech and language developmental milestones. Retrieved from https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/
