When Should I Be Concerned About My Toddler’s Speech?
As a parent, it is very easy to start comparing your toddler’s talking with other children of the same age. One child at nursery might be chatting away in sentences, while another is communicating very effectively with a handful of words, sounds, gestures and facial expressions.
There is a wide range of typical speech and language development, and children do not all learn to talk at exactly the same pace. However, there are also times when it is helpful to ask for advice rather than simply waiting to see what happens.
If you are wondering whether your child is late to start talking, finding language difficult or would benefit from some extra support, a speech and language therapist can help you understand their communication more fully.
Speech and language are not quite the same thing
Parents often use the term “speech delay” to describe any situation where a toddler is not talking as much as expected, but speech and language therapists look at several different areas of communication.
Speech is about how we produce the sounds that make up words.
Language includes understanding words and sentences, learning and using new words, putting words together and using language to communicate with other people.
A toddler might understand lots of language but use very few spoken words. Another child might talk frequently but find it harder to understand what is being said to them. Some children may have difficulty producing clear speech sounds, even though they know exactly what they want to say.
Looking at the whole picture is often much more helpful than simply counting how many words your child can say.
What signs might mean it is worth getting some advice?
Every child develops differently, so there is no single checklist that can tell you whether your toddler needs speech and language therapy. However, it can be useful to seek advice if:
your child has not started using any spoken words by around 18 months
they do not seem to understand some of the familiar words and simple language you use with them
they are mainly using gestures or taking you to things they want rather than beginning to use words
by around two years old they are not beginning to put words together
their speech is very difficult for other people to understand as they get older
communication regularly seems frustrating or difficult for your child
you are concerned that their communication is not progressing
your child loses speech, language or communication skills they were previously using.
You do not need to wait until a child reaches a particular age if you are worried. Parents know their children extremely well, and it is always reasonable to ask for advice.
Does late talking always mean there is a problem?
No. Some toddlers start talking later and then make rapid progress.
However, it is not always possible to know which children will catch up without support and which will continue to find language difficult.
There are also lots of possible reasons why a young child may communicate differently. Some children have language difficulties, some have speech sound difficulties and some may later receive a diagnosis such as Developmental Language Disorder, autism or Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Other children simply need some additional help to get their communication moving forward.
An assessment does not mean assuming that something is “wrong”. It is an opportunity to understand what your child can already do, where they may be finding things more difficult and what might help them next.
How can I help my toddler to talk at home?
One of the most useful things you can do is follow your child’s interests.
Rather than repeatedly asking them questions such as “What’s that?” or asking them to copy a word, watch what they are interested in and give them useful language for what they are doing.
If they push a toy car, you might say “car”, “fast car” or “go car!”. If they take you to the fridge, you could model words such as “food”, “hungry” or the name of what they are asking for.
Try using language that is just a little more complicated than the language your child is currently using. If they use one word, you can model two or three. If they say “big dog”, you might respond with “yes, a big brown dog”. Remember to keep what you say grammatically correct rather than missing out little words like “is” or “the”.
Everyday routines such as getting dressed, bath time, cooking, going to the park or playing with favourite toys give you lots of opportunities to model words without making talking feel like a task.
Most importantly, communication should feel enjoyable rather than like a test.
What happens if my toddler sees a speech and language therapist?
Speech therapy for toddlers is usually very different from the kind of formal “lesson” parents sometimes imagine.
For younger children, assessment and therapy can be largely play-based. A children’s speech and language therapist will look at how your child communicates, what they understand, the words or sounds they use, how they interact and play, and the ways they already get their message across.
Parents are a really important part of this process.
At All Join In, support for younger children may include parent coaching and practical strategies that can be incorporated into everyday play and family routines. This means your child has opportunities to develop their communication throughout their week, rather than only during a therapy session.
Looking for speech therapy for toddlers in Bristol?
If you are concerned about your toddler’s speech, language or communication development, you do not have to work out by yourself whether they are simply a “late talker” or need additional support.
All Join In provides children’s speech and language therapy in Bristol and the surrounding areas, including assessment and support for toddlers and preschool children.
You can also read more about speech and language therapy for language delay, including how parent coaching can help younger children develop their communication.
If you would like to discuss what you have noticed about your child’s communication and whether an assessment might be helpful, get in touch with All Join In.
