How to response if your child is a late talker?

Your child is two years old but still is not talking or says very limited words compared to other peers. You think and realize that he is way behind while other children can put at least two words together in a sentence at the same age. Expecting he will catch up, you postpone seeking professional advice. No worries!

This scenario is common among parents of kids who are slow to speak. Knowing what’s “typical” and what’s not in speech and language development can help you figure out whether your child is right on schedule or not.

How common is late talking?

Late-talking children are usually typically developing in all other skills (fine motor, gross motor, cognition, and social/emotional) but has limited speech for his or her age. The first 3 years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills. Researchers determined that approximately 13% of two year olds are late talkers.

It is important to understand normal milestones of speech and language development which can help you to know your child’s developmental stages.

What are the warning sign of late talker?

In general, a child says his or her first words around the age of 12 months. He or she will learn more words and add vocabulary between the ages of 12 months and 24 months.

Warning sign of late talker

A child is a late talker If he or she,

  is 18-20 months and has fewer than 24 words

 is 21-24 months and has fewer than 40 words

 is 24-30 months and has fewer than 100 words

 is 24 months and has limited word combinations

  uses shorter and less grammatically correct words

  uses less communicative gestures

  understand fewer words or displays delayed comprehension

Risk factors

Based on research there are some risk factors for late talkers comparing with typically developing peers including:

 Males are 3 times more likely than females to be a late talker.

 children born at less than 85% of their optimum birth weight or earlier than 37 weeks’ gestation were found to be at higher risk

 late talkers are more likely to have a parent with a history of late talking

 Lower maternal education and lower socio-economic status of the family are associated with higher risk for being late talker. That issues thought to be related to the amount of support (resources) available to the child for language learning

 In addition, the lack of appropriate language learning environment is also a common cause of late talking in children. For example: Over-protection by caregivers reduces child’s opportunities to learn to communicate, Lack of role model in communication  , Multiple languages used in communicating with children, Addicted to using electronic devices at early age

What should you do if your child is a late talker?

If you think your child may be a late talker don’t wait and see, it’s never too early to seek help. Research shows that within the first 5 years of the life, the brain has the most plasticity. That means we can actually reinforce existing synaptic connections and create new ones. We can essentially rewire the brain! That is why it is so important to start intervention early. So, the earlier intervention is started, the better the outcome. In that case you should consult a speech and language therapist about your child.

Approximately 50% to 70% of late talkers are reported to catch up to peers and demonstrate normal language development by late preschool and school age. Because it is difficult to predict who will catch up on his or her own, speech and language therapy along with using strategies at home are recommended for almost all late talker.

Late talkers who do not get early treatment are at an increased risk for: language-based disabilities, academic failure, social rejection, behavior and self-esteem problems, and anxiety Disorders.

What parents can do?

Like so many other things, speech development is a mixture of nature and nurture. Here are a few general tips to use at home:

 At home talk to your child a lot about different topics. Speak using your native language as far as possible.

 Make sure you make eye contact when speaking. This shows you are actively involved in the conversation and lets your child know whether you have understood them.

 Children learn from each other – encourage your child to get to know others of the same age.

 Take a break when speaking with your child.

 Taking turns is part of speaking: once you’ve spoken, it’s their turn and vice versa.

 Take your child seriously when they are talking to you. They should realize they can make a difference through speech.

 Encourage them to read books: read picture books to them give them books as presents, visit the library regularly. Talk about what you have read.

 Spend a lot of time communicating with your child, even during infancy—talk, sing, and encourage imitation of sounds and gestures.

 Use fun play-based activities or games to help motivate the child to learn. Using simple language whilst playing with your child.

 Use simple and concise information. Use visuals to supplement auditory information. For example : pictures, signs, gestures

Explain new vocabulary.

Expose child to language in a variety of settings. For instance: in the community, during daily routines such as bath-time, cooking.

 

How to response if your child is a late talker?

Your child is two years old but still is not talking or says very limited words compared to other peers. You think and realize that he is way behind while other children can put at least two words together in a sentence at the same age. Expecting he will catch up, you postpone seeking professional advice. No worries! This scenario is common among parents of kids who are slow to speak. Knowing whats typical and whats not in speech and language development can help you figure out whether your child is right on schedule or not. How common is late talking? Late-talking children are usually typically developing in all other skills (fine motor, gross motor, cognition, and social/emotional) but has limited speech for his or her age. The first 3 years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills. Researchers determined that approximately 13% of two year olds are late talkers. It is important to understand normal milestones of speech and language development which can help you to know your childs developmental stages. What are the warning sign of late talker? In general, a child says his or her first words around the age of 12 months. He or she will learn more words and add vocabulary between the ages of 12 months and 24 months. Warning sign of late talker A child is a late talker If he or she, is 18-20 months and has fewer than 24 words is 21-24 months and has fewer than 40 words is 24-30 months and has fewer than 100 words is 24 months and has limited word combinations uses shorter and less grammatically correct words uses less communicative gestures understand fewer words or displays delayed comprehension Risk factors Based on research there are some risk factors for late talkers comparing with typically developing peers including: Males are 3 times more likely than females to be a late talker. children born at less than 85% of their optimum birth weight or earlier than 37 weeks gestation were found to be at higher risk late talkers are more likely to have a parent with a history of late talking Lower maternal education and lower socio-economic status of the family are associated with higher risk for being late talker. That issues thought to be related to the amount of support (resources) available to the child for language learning In addition, the lack of appropriate language learning environment is also a common cause of late talking in children. For example: Over-protection by caregivers reduces childs opportunities to learn to communicate, Lack of role model in communication , Multiple languages used in communicating with children, Addicted to using electronic devices at early age What should you do if your child is a late talker? If you think your child may be a late talker dont wait and see, its never too early to seek help. Research shows that within the first 5 years of the life, the brain has the most plasticity. That means we can actually reinforce existing synaptic connections and create new ones. We can essentially rewire the brain! That is why it is so important to start intervention early. So, the earlier intervention is started, the better the outcome. In that case you should consult a speech and language therapist about your child. Approximately 50% to 70% of late talkers are reported to catch up to peers and demonstrate normal language development by late preschool and school age. Because it is difficult to predict who will catch up on his or her own, speech and language therapy along with using strategies at home are recommended for almost all late talker. Late talkers who do not get early treatment are at an increased risk for: language-based disabilities, academic failure, social rejection, behavior and self-esteem problems, and anxiety Disorders. What parents can do? Like so many other things, speech development is a mixture of nature and nurture. Here are a few general tips to use at home: At home talk to your child a lot about different topics. Speak using your native language as far as possible. Make sure you make eye contact when speaking. This shows you are actively involved in the conversation and lets your child know whether you have understood them. Children learn from each other encourage your child to get to know others of the same age. Take a break when speaking with your child. Taking turns is part of speaking: once youve spoken, its their turn and vice versa. Take your child seriously when they are talking to you. They should realize they can make a difference through speech. Encourage them to read books: read picture books to them give them books as presents, visit the library regularly. Talk about what you have read. Spend a lot of time communicating with your child, even during infancytalk, sing, and encourage imitation of sounds and gestures. Use fun play-based activities or games to help motivate the child to learn. Using simple language whilst playing with your child. Use simple and concise information. Use visuals to supplement auditory information. For example : pictures, signs, gestures Explain new vocabulary. Expose child to language in a variety of settings. For instance: in the community, during daily routines such as bath-time, cooking.