What is a “late-talker?”
Toddlers who are referred to as “Late-Talkers” are:
Typically aged between 1-3 years
Has a typical comprehension of language
Follows simple directions (i.e., “get your shoes, throw the ball, come here”)
Points to / looks at named items (i.e., “Point to the ball”)
Has typically developing play skills
Limited spoken words and expressive vocabulary
Research tells us that Late-Talkers, also known as "Late Language Emergence” may be at risk for future difficulties in the areas of language, literacy, cognition, and development of speech-processing skills. This is why it’s extremely important to address concerns early-on in a toddler’s lifespan.
How can I help my child learn to communicate?
Specialized professionals who are trained to screen and evaluate toddlers in particular areas of development and determine whether your child may fall under the category of being a ‘late-talker,’ include Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs).
A toddler who is seen by an SLP may be tracked and monitored for any ongoing concerns, in order to catch any indicators early-on, offer the opportunity to strengthen the above skill areas, and prevent challenges from becoming more significant issues in the future.
To learn specific strategies to help your child, request a Parent Coaching session, specifically designed for parents of toddlers of ‘late-talkers.’ Learn about how to support your child using research-based techniques presented by a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist.
Additional Resources for parents of Late-Talkers or children with limited expressive vocabulary, check out our printable resource below:
20 First Word Tracker & Parent Survival Guide
References:
Capone Singleton, N. (2018). Late talkers: Why the wait-and-see approach is outdated. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 65(1), 13-29.