What Brooklyn Parents Need to Know

Every parent has heard “boys talk later” or “my neighbor’s child didn’t speak until 3, and she’s fine” — but what if your gut says something is off? It’s natural to worry about your toddler’s language development, but knowing the signs of a late-talker can help you differentiate between what’s normal and what’s not. There’s no need to make yourself unnecessarily anxious, so here’s what to actually look for. 

What is a Late Talker?

To put it simply, a late talker is a toddler with fewer words than expected for their age, but typical comprehension and play skills. 

In case you’re unsure where your child should be at their age, here are some key milestone benchmarks: 

• 12 months: a few words, lots of babbling
• 18 months: ~10-20 words
• 24 months: ~50 words, starting 2-word combinations
• 36 months: short sentences, mostly understandable

Signs Your Toddler May Be a Late Talker

• Not meeting word count milestones
• Limited variety of sounds/babbling
• Not pointing, waving, or gesturing by 12 months
• Not responding to their name consistently
• Frustration during communication attempts
• Good comprehension but minimal output

Late Talker vs. Language Disorder: What’s the Difference?

This is an important distinction to make, especially when making treatment decisions, but also to help ease any anxieties you may have about your toddler’s language development. 

As previously mentioned, a late talker is when language output is delayed, but comprehension and social skills are intact. Some toddler’s will catch up on their own, but paying attention and staying knowledgeable is important for deciding when to intervene, 

The key difference between a late talker and language disorder is that a language disorder is defined by a broader difficulty with understanding and/or using language, and it’s less likely to be self-resolved. 

Understanding this difference helps in making treatment decisions and plans. If your toddler is not talking at 2 years old, but is still comprehending and developing socially, their treatment plan may look different from a 2-year-old who is struggling with comprehension skills and during play. 

What Brooklyn Parents Should Know About Getting Help

If you’re unsure if your toddler is a late talker or may have a language disorder, it may be helpful to schedule an evaluation – sooner rather than later. Early intervention is key to making sure your child stays on the right track and catches up in their language development. It’s okay to be unsure, so getting an evaluation might help ease any anxieties you have about your toddler. 

An evaluation at Everyday Language Co. is designed to keep you and your child as comfortable as possible while getting the full picture of what’s going on. 

For example, we might start by asking you a few questions about your toddler, the kinds of words they use, and how they typically communicate in different situations. Then, an SLP may try to understand your toddler’s comprehension skills through play or a more standardized language assessment if needed. One of our SLPs will always communicate what they learn with you and let you know what you can do at home to help their process as well. More sessions may be recommended based on the evaluation. 

Depending on the insurance company/plan, your evaluation and sessions may be covered with out of network benefits. While Everyday Language Co. does not bill insurance companies directly, families can submit for reimbursement through their insurance separately. We encourage all families to contact their insurance company before starting therapy to understand their benefits.

About Everyday Language Co. 

Everyday Language Co. is a Brooklyn-based pediatric Speech-Language Pathology practice, providing in-home evaluations within the area. 

Jocelyn is a speech therapist with almost two decades of experience in pediatric speech and language development, with a specialty in early language development and late talkers.  Always using the most up-to-date research in the field of communication development, Jocelyn is dedicated to helping your child develop their language and communication skills. As mom herself, Jocelyn knows that every child is unique, with their own personalities and individual needs, so she is sure to create therapy plans with the care, attention, and confidence that your child will succeed on their path.

FAQ

Will my late talker catch up on their own? 

Sometimes. Although late talking may be resolved on its own, often enough it doesn’t. Feel free to save and refer back to the signs of late-talking, and if they don’t improve within 3 months, scheduling an evaluation should be the next move. 

What age is “too-late” to start speech therapy?

It’s never “too late” to start speech therapy! Although early intervention is critical in preventing speech and language problems from developing further, speech therapy is helpful at any age and is proven to make a large difference no matter when you start. 

How do I get my toddler evaluated in Brooklyn?

At Everyday Language Co., we come to you! Our in-home visits make your child’s evaluation as easy as possible. All you have to do is schedule a consult call, where we can learn a bit more about your child and any concerns you have. Then, we can schedule an in-home evaluation for your late talker. 

What’s the difference between a late-talker and autism?

Late talking by itself is not enough to indicate autism. There may be more cause for concern when late talking occurs alongside differences such as:

• Limited eye contact
• Few gestures like pointing or showing
• Limited interest in peers or shared play
• Repetitive movements or repetitive use of objects
• Strong need for routines or distress with changes
• Unusual sensory reactions (very sensitive to sounds, textures, lights, etc.)

During an evaluation, an SLP will be able to differentiate between these two further if you’re worried. 

The Next Step

It’s understandable if differentiating between late talking vs. a language disorder is confusing or difficult. That’s why getting an evaluation – even just as a baseline – is a good idea. You don’t have to wait and wonder; you can get clear answers and intervention for your child now. 

If you feel that an evaluation may be necessary, a quick 15-minute consult call can help clear up any concerns. Please feel free to schedule a consultation here – where you can tell us more about what your child is experiencing, and we can discuss the next steps.