My Child Isn’t Talking Yet, Should I Be Worried?

Quick Answer: Many toddlers who talk late do catch up on their own, but some have persistent delays, and it’s hard to predict which ones. Language skills build on each other, once you know one word, it is easier to learn the next and so vocabulary builds. Language is the foundation for social, emotional, and academic success, it’s a potent predictor for quality of life. So taking action early either helps a child with a true delay catch up or gives an “on-track” child a head-start in communication skills. In other words, there’s nothing to lose, and so much to gain, by getting support early. That’s why I advocate a “support and see” approach instead of “wait and see.” In over 26 years as a paediatric speech pathologist (and founder of North Shore Speech Therapy in Sydney), I’ve seen firsthand that providing help early on, even simple home strategies or a few therapy sessions, can only benefit your child. 

As a specialist speech pathologist, I’m often asked by concerned parents: “My child isn’t talking yet. Is that a problem?” The honest answer is it’s understandable to worry, but not to panic. Children do develop at different paces, and some “late talkers” are simply late bloomers. However, I don’t recommend just waiting until age 2 or later without any intervention if you have concerns. The old “wait-and-see” advice has shifted in our field, we now know early help can make a big difference. If your baby or toddler isn’t meeting early communication milestones (like babbling or saying first words on time), it’s worth having their skills checked. Sometimes a child may just need a little more time; other times, early support can jump-start their progress. Either way, acting sooner helps and never harms a child’s development. 

What Is a “Late Talker”? 

In the speech pathology field, we use the term “late talker” to describe a toddler (generally 18–30 months old) who is developing normally in other ways (thinking, social, motor skills, etc.) but has a delay in starting to talk. The classic definition is a child who has fewer than 50 words or isn’t yet putting two words together by around 2 years of age. By this definition, late talking is pretty common. Research shows roughly 13–20% of 2-year-olds meet the criteria (that’s about one in every 5–8 children). 

Why do some kids talk later than others? For many late talkers, we never find a specific reason, and it might just be part of the normal variation in development. In fact, some late talkers are what we call “late bloomers.” They eventually catch up to other kids on their own, usually by preschool age. This “wait and see” idea, hoping a child will outgrow the delay, used to be common advice because so many children do seem to catch up. 

However, there are a few important caveats: 

• We cannot know ahead of time which late talkers will catch up and which won’t. Long-term studies (including those published in JSLHR) have found that while many late talkers improve, a substantial number continue to have language-related difficulties as they grow. For example, one study led by Dr. Rhea Paul followed late-talking toddlers through their school years: by kindergarten, the group as a whole was scoring in the normal range for language and reading readiness, but at the lower end compared to peers. In other words, even the children who “caught up” were, on average, still not as strong in language skills as those who were never late talkers. Furthermore, this research suggested that the longer a child’s language delay persisted into the 3rd year of life, the less chance they had of fully catching up on their own during the preschool years. This is a strong argument for acting early rather than waiting. 

• At least 20% of late talkers (1 in 5) have more lasting language difficulties that don’t resolve without intervention. Some of these children are later diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), a condition where language skills remain persistently below age expectations even though there’s no other obvious cause. DLD (previously called specific language impairment) affects about 7% of children and can impact academic learning, social skills, and self-esteem if not addressed. Late talking in toddlerhood is often the first sign of DLD. Because the stakes are high, language skills in early childhood lay the groundwork for things like reading and school success, we want to give these kids support as early as possible. 

• Even short-term disadvantages of late talking matter. Toddlers who have very few words can experience a lot of frustration. You might see more frequent tantrums or biting in late talkers, not because they’re “bad kids,” but because they can’t express what they want or how they feel in words yet. I’ve had parents tell me their quiet toddler seems to withdraw from play with other kids, or gets extra clingy, and it turns out the child was struggling to communicate and participate. Getting help early (such as teaching the child some gesture or picture communication, or jump-starting their language with therapy) can reduce this frustration and help them connect better with others. 

The “Support and See” Approach 

I want to emphasise the approach we live by at North Shore Speech Therapy (NSST): “Support and See.” This is my take on moving away from the old “wait and see.” Rather than waiting passively to see if a child will grow out of their delay (which can waste valuable time), I believe in providing support as early as possible and then seeing how the child progresses. This support can be very gentle and fun. It might just mean guidance for you as parents on how to encourage communication at home in everyday moments. It could be a weekly playgroup or a short series of therapy sessions with a professional. The idea is to give the child opportunities and encouragement to build their skills now, when their brain is growing fastest. 

Why am I so passionate about this? Because I’ve seen the difference it can make. When toddlers get help early, they often make faster progress in catching up to their peers. And if it turns out they weren’t actually delayed but just late bloomers, you’ve still invested in their language development which will benefit them in the long run. We know strong early language skills are linked to better outcomes in school and social life. On the flip side, I’ve met parents who waited until age 3 or later to seek help, and often they say, “I wish I’d come in sooner.” Early language delays can snowball into bigger issues if left unaddressed, affecting behaviour, learning to read, making friends, and more. 

Bottom line: a late-talking child may be a temporary “late bloomer,” but they may not. Since we can’t be sure, my philosophy is don’t delay support. If your toddler isn’t saying 20 words by 18 months or 50 words by 2 years, I recommend working with a speech pathologist to support their language growth now, instead of taking a passive wait-and-see approach. There is virtually no downside to early intervention, and a huge potential upside. In fact, a recent scientific review found that in 93% of cases, late-talking children made significant gains in their vocabulary after getting early intervention services. Those are odds I’ll take any day! And if it turns out your child would have caught up on their own, then all you’ve done is given them extra enrichment that likely puts them even further ahead. It’s a win-win. 

If your child isn’t talking yet and you’re worried, trust your instincts and get support. You have nothing to lose by bringing in help early. Even if it turns out your child is just on their own timeline, you will have gained useful strategies and peace of mind. And if your child does need a boost, you’ll be glad you started early, when progress is easiest. 

Being concerned means you’re a caring parent. You’re not alone in this. Many families have walked the late-talking journey. Most of the time, with the right support and a language-rich environment, “late bloomers” make tremendous strides. I’ve seen formerly silent toddlers turn into nonstop chatterboxes by age 3 or 4! And if a child has deeper challenges, identifying them early opens the door to services that can help. Remember, communication is a skill that underpins all facets of life, so giving it attention early is one of the best investments you can make in your child’s future. 

If you’re in the Sydney area and seeking guidance, feel free to reach out to us at North Shore Speech Therapy (NSST). We’ve been helping families improve their children’s communication since 2001, with a dedicated “support and see” ethos. 

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