Toddler Not Talking Yet? Know the Signs of Language Disorders

If your toddler is not talking yet and you suspect difficulties with speech, speak up. The key to treating language disorders is early intervention.

Perhaps no other milestone besides walking generates as much anticipation as a baby's first words. Everyone wants to see—and hear—what their child has to say. But it takes children time to develop language skills. Many babies do not utter "mama," "dada," or "baba" until well into their first year. So, if your toddler is not talking, how do you know if they are developmentally on track or a late bloomer?

Read on to learn about your baby's developing speech, signs of language disorders, and what to expect with language development.

When Most Babies Start Talking

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), most babies go through the following milestones when learning to talk:

  • 4 to 7 months: Babbling and mimicking repetitive sounds (bah, dah)
  • 6 or 7 months: Mimic simple words (mama, dada, dog, go)
  • 8 to 12 months: Attaching meaning to gestures, words, and phrases
  • By 1 year: May say one or two simple words (mama, dada, bye)
toddler playing with parents

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When Most Babies Say Their First Word

Most children will say their first word around their first birthday. But every child and situation is unique, and what is "normal" for one baby may not be the norm for your kid.

This means some children will utter their first true word at 7 months while others may remain mum until 17 months. Still, if you are worried about your toddler not talking, you can (and should) speak with a health care provider.

Signs of Language Disorders in Toddlers

The signs of language developmental disorders are grouped into two categories: expressive and receptive language. Expressive language is how a child uses words to express themselves, while receptive language is how a child understands language. Signs of disorders are different for each.

Expressive language disorders

Some of the most common symptoms of expressive language disorders in toddlers include difficulty with the following:

  • Using gestures
  • Expressing themselves
  • Asking questions
  • Singing songs
  • Naming objects
  • Using words correctly

Generally speaking, toddlers with expressive language disorders have problems expressing thoughts and ideas. This can extend to asking questions and using gestures.

Receptive language disorders

Toddlers with receptive language disorders may have difficulty with the following:

  • Following directions
  • Understanding what people say
  • Understanding gestures
  • Answering questions
  • Pointing to things when asked
  • Learning new words

Sometimes, kids can have both expressive and receptive language disorders. In addition, older kids can have reading and writing delays, which may be related to a learning disability.

How to Help a Toddler Learn to Talk

The age at which kids begin talking typically ranges from 6 to 18 months. In general, there is no need to worry if your toddler isn't talking and seems "behind"—even if they are at the older end of that range.

Of course, if your child is 19 months old and still not talking, you may be concerned, but this, too, can be normal. It takes some children longer to master speech than others. Ask a health care provider or consult a speech pathologist when in doubt. Doctors tend not to worry too much unless a child shows other warning signs (like those above) or hasn't spoken by age 2.

In the meantime, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends the following for helping toddlers learn to talk:

  • Encourage your child to say simple sounds after you (like "ma," "da," and "ba").
  • Pretend to have conversations with your child when they babble.
  • Respond to their gestures.
  • Encourage them to mirror you with games like pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo.
  • Talk to them about activities you do and places you go.
  • Point out colors and shapes.
  • Count the things you see.
  • Use gestures like pointing.
  • Name animal sounds.
  • When your child says a simple word, add a sentence, like "Dog. Yes! That's a dog. He's going for a walk."
  • Read to your child.

These activities prepare your child for talking by helping them understand the meaning behind gestures and words. It also gives them practice with the art of conversation.

Health Conditions That Can Affect Speech Development

There is not always a known cause for speech delays, but certain conditions can cause a speech delay. These include:

  • Autism
  • Frequent ear infections
  • Brain injury
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Down syndrome or Fragile X syndrome
  • Family history of speech delays or language problems
  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
  • Hearing loss or deafness
  • Learning disabilities
  • Low birth weight 
  • Stroke

Since speech delays can sometimes be caused by previously undiagnosed medical issues, seeking a health care provider's input if you suspect a delay is essential.

Treatment for Speech Delays in Toddlers

To diagnose whether a toddler not talking is due to a speech delay, a health care provider will interact with your child, order a hearing test, and refer you to a speech pathologist for testing or an early intervention program.

Formal speech therapy is often recommended for speech delay. However, if your toddler has an expressive and receptive delay, your child may need further evaluation to screen for a communication disorder, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or another developmental concern.

When to Talk to a Doctor

If your toddler is not talking or meeting milestones such as babbling by 9 months or pointing by 12 months, then it may be time to talk to your doctor.

Typically, a late-talking child will catch up with their peers. However, research suggests that speech delays can persist in 40-60% of cases, and these kids are at greater risk of social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive problems in adulthood.

For these children, the consequences of waiting can be devastating. Undetected disorders have been linked to poor reading and academic performance and also emotional problems. "I've seen children as young as 3 who are self-conscious about their speech, which can lead to low self-esteem," says Marilyn Agin, MD, a neurodevelopmental pediatrician, medical director of the Early Intervention Program in New York City, and co-author of The Late Talker: What to Do if Your Child Isn't Talking Yet.

You may want to talk to a health care provider about your concerns if:

  • By 9 months, your infant has yet to babble, or they babble with few or no consonant sounds.
  • By 12 months, your baby looks at something they want but does not use gestures, like pointing, to show you what they desire.
  • By 16 months, you still haven't heard your child's first word(s).
  • By 24 to 30 months, your child has not spoken in two-word phrases, like "more cookie."
  • By 36 months, your child says only single-syllable words with no final consonants ("ca" for cat, "beh" for bed), don't ask questions, and have frequent tantrums when not understood.

"You know your child best," says Dr. Agin. "If, deep down, you suspect there's something wrong, and you're not satisfied with the response from your pediatrician, make an appointment with a speech pathologist or a neurodevelopmental pediatrician."

If your child is under 3, contact your local county-run early intervention program. In most states, evaluations are free; some offer a sliding scale.

If it turns out that your toddler not talking is developmental and they'll grow out of it, there's no harm done, and you can put your mind at ease, says Dr. Agin. On the other hand, if there is a problem, you and your child will benefit tremendously from getting early therapy.

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  5. My little one isn't talking—should I be worried?. University of Utah Health. 2015.

  6. Activities to encourage speech and language development. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. n.d.

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