If you are watching other kids the same age chatter away while your child stays quiet, it is natural to wonder whether something is wrong. Children develop language on their own timelines, and milestones are a guide, not a test.
Still, knowing the general pattern can help you decide whether to keep watching or reach out. Here is a plain-language look at milestones by age, what “late talker” actually means, and when it makes sense to talk to a professional.
Speech and language milestones by age
In 2022, the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics updated their “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklists. Each milestone is now something most children (about 75 percent) do by that age. So if your child is not doing one yet, that is a reason to check in, not a reason to wait.
ASHA (the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) uses its own milestones, and some of its timing is earlier. For example, the CDC lists about 50 words at 30 months, while ASHA places about 50 words between 19 and 24 months. ASHA publicly raised concerns about the CDC change. Our practical take: if your child is not near 50 words by age 2, checking in is reasonable.
The lists below come from the CDC checklists. When we think about your child, signs, gestures, and words on a talker (AAC) all count as communication. For a fuller chart, see our speech milestones resource page.
By 12 months
- Waves “bye-bye”
- Calls a parent “mama,” “dada,” or another special name
- Understands “no” (pauses or stops when you say it)
- Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
By 18 months
- Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”
- Follows a one-step direction without a gesture, like “Give it to me”
- Points to show you something interesting
- Looks at a few pages in a book with you
By 2 years
- Says at least two words together, like “More milk”
- Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”
- Points to at least two body parts when asked
- Uses more gestures than waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes
By 30 months
- Says about 50 words
- Puts two or more words together with one action word, like “Doggie run”
- Names things in a book when you point and ask “What is this?”
- Says words like “I,” “me,” or “we”
By 3 years
- Has a conversation with at least two back-and-forth turns
- Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions
- Says what is happening in a picture, like “running” or “eating”
- Talks well enough for others to understand most of the time (more on this in our post on how much of your child’s speech you should understand by age 3)
By 4 years
- Says sentences with four or more words
- Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
- Talks about at least one thing that happened during the day
- Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?”
What is a late talker?
A late talker is usually a child between about 18 and 30 months who understands language well and is developing as expected in other ways, but uses fewer spoken words than expected for their age. The key feature is a smaller spoken vocabulary, not a delay in understanding or thinking.
Late talking is common. A large study of about 1,800 two-year-olds in Western Australia, published in 2007 in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, found that about 13 percent were late talkers, roughly one in eight. Some children catch up on their own and others benefit from support. There is no reliable way to know in advance which group your child is in, which is why early input is useful.
When to check in with a speech therapist
Reach out sooner rather than later if your child:
- Is not trying to say a few words (or use signs) by 18 months
- Is far from 50 words, or is not combining two words, around age 2
- Seems to understand much less than other children their age
- Has lost words or skills they used to have
- Is not pointing, gesturing, or trying to communicate in other ways
- Gets very frustrated trying to be understood
That last point matters. When communication is hard, frustration often follows. Support is not only about words. It is about helping your child connect.
“Should I wait and see?”
You will hear a lot of “wait and see,” and sometimes children do catch up. But waiting has a cost when a child would have benefited from support. Reaching out early does not commit you to anything.
At the very least, you get information and a few strategies to try at home. At best, your child gets help during the years when language grows quickly. Reaching out is not a verdict on your child or your parenting. It is one more form of support.
What support actually looks like
A first visit with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is usually a relaxed conversation plus play-based observation, not a stressful exam. From there, you might get home strategies, or your child might work with a therapist who weaves language into play your child already enjoys.
Much of it looks like play with a little extra talk. If your child loves cars, it might sound like this:
Child: “Car!”
You: “Red car. Car go fast!”
Child: (pushes the car)
You: “Zoom! Car go!”
No one asks your child to repeat anything. The adult models a word or two, then waits and lets your child take a turn in whatever way works for them.
Communication also looks different for every child. Some children speak, some use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), like a speech app, signs, or picture boards. Some are Gestalt Language Processors who learn language in whole phrases or scripts first. An affirming approach supports all of these as real, valid ways to communicate.
How we can help
If you are in Irvine or nearby and wondering about your child’s talking, we are happy to help you think it through. You are welcome to book a tour with your child and see how our speech therapy works through play. There is no pressure, just a conversation about your child and what, if anything, would help.