Condition guide
If your toddler understands you but is slow to start talking, you are not alone, and you are right to look into it. Many late talkers catch up, but early support can make a real difference, and it removes the worry of simply waiting to see. A speech and language therapist can tell you whether to keep an eye on things or start now.
A late talker is usually a toddler between about 18 and 30 months who understands well and is developing normally in other ways, but is slow to start using words. A common guide is fewer than 50 words and no two-word phrases by around 24 months. Many late talkers go on to catch up, which is why this can feel so uncertain to parents.
The terms overlap, and only an assessment can really tell them apart. The reassuring difference is that a late talker typically understands language well and is simply slower to produce it. If your child also seems to struggle to understand, or is harder to understand when they do talk, it is worth reading about speech delay too.
Small daily habits help: narrate what you are doing, pause and wait for your child to respond, follow their lead in play, and offer choices so there is a reason to use words. A therapist can show you exactly which techniques fit your child. Our resources have practical ideas to start with.
For toddlers, online sessions usually coach you as the parent, in your own home, with your child’s own toys. That matters, because the people a toddler talks to most are at home, not in a clinic. Studies show online results comparable to in-person for most early language needs. See online speech therapy for children for how it works.
Getting Started
Browse therapists by specialism and availability. Find the right match for your needs.
Pick a date and time that works for you. No waiting lists, no referrals needed.
Connect with your therapist via secure video call. No travel, no waiting rooms.
Claim Back the Cost
Sessions start from €65, and you see the exact price on each therapist’s profile before you book. Every session comes with an itemised receipt.
Many private health insurance plans reimburse part of the cost of speech and language therapy, and you may be able to claim tax relief on qualifying medical expenses through Revenue. Cover and eligibility vary, so check your policy and with Revenue.
Trust and Quality
Every therapist on Lingo is registered with CORU, Ireland’s regulator for health and social care professionals, so you can book with confidence.
FAQ
A common guide is fewer than 50 words and no two-word phrases by around 24 months. If you are unsure, a short assessment gives you clarity with no pressure to continue.
Some toddlers catch up on their own. The trouble is you cannot tell in advance which children will. An assessment helps you make that call with a therapist rather than alone.
Yes. For toddlers, sessions usually coach you as the parent in your own home, which is where most of their talking happens anyway.
Book a session and get clear answers. No referral, no waiting list.
Book a session→