As a parent, watching your child grow and reach milestones is one of life’s greatest joys — but it can also bring worry when your little one isn’t speaking as much as other kids their age. If your toddler is a “late talker,” you’re not alone.
What Is a Late Talker?
A late talker is a toddler who shows delayed speech development, typically saying fewer than 50 words by 2 years old or not yet combining two-word phrases by around 2 to 2.5 years. These children usually understand language and communicate in other ways, like gestures or facial expressions, but their spoken vocabulary and sentence building are behind their peers.
You Didn’t Cause This — And It Doesn’t Mean Your Child Isn’t Smart
One of the most important things to remember is that a child’s delayed speech isn’t the result of something you did or didn’t do. Language development varies widely among children, and genetics, environment, and individual learning pace all play a part.
Also, being a late talker does not mean your child lacks intelligence. Many late talkers grow up to be perfectly bright children who simply needed a bit more time or support with speech.
Boys Don’t Always Talk Later Than Girls
You may have heard that boys generally talk later than girls — but this is actually a myth. While there might be a slight average difference, many boys talk right on time, and many girls can be late talkers. Speech development depends on the individual child, not just their gender.
Why “Wait and See” Isn’t the Best Approach
It’s natural to want to “wait and see” if your child will catch up on their own, but experts strongly advise against this. Early intervention is key for several reasons:
Early Support Leads to Better Outcomes: The brain is especially flexible in toddler years. Speech therapy or language-enriching activities can make a significant difference when started early.
Prevents Secondary Challenges: Communication delays can sometimes lead to frustration, behavior issues, or social difficulties, which early intervention can help reduce.
Builds Confidence: With help, your child can develop better skills, which boosts their self-esteem and eagerness to communicate.
What Can You Do?
If you have concerns about your child’s speech, here are a few steps:
Talk to your pediatrician or GP: They can assess your child’s development and refer you to a speech-language pathologist.
Create a language-rich environment: Read together, talk often, sing songs, and describe your day.
Seek professional evaluation: Speech therapy is tailored to your child’s needs and can be a wonderful support.
Stay patient and positive: Celebrate every attempt your child makes to communicate.
If you’re still concerned
Remember, you are your child’s best advocate. Recognising and addressing late talking early sets your child up for stronger communication skills and confidence down the road. There’s no shame or blame — just a chance to help your little one thrive.
If you’re worried, reach out to us at Prosper Health Collective who can offer late talker therapy in Perth from our Speech Therapists. You’re not alone, and with the right support, your child can start progressing.