If your toddler isn't talking as much as other children their age, you're not alone in worrying. "Late talker" is one of the most common concerns parents bring to speech and language therapists in Ireland, and it's also one of the most misunderstood.
The good news: many late talkers catch up on their own. The harder reality: some don't, and the children who benefit most from early help are the ones who get it before age three. Knowing which group your child is in matters.
Key takeaways
A "late talker" is typically a toddler aged 18–30 months who has fewer words than expected but otherwise develops normally
Around 70–80% of late talkers catch up by age four, but 20–30% go on to have a language disorder
You don't need to "wait and see". Early support is low-cost and can make a real difference
A speech and language therapist can assess whether your child needs intervention or simply more time
What does "late talker" actually mean?
A late talker is usually defined as a toddler between 18 and 30 months who:
Has fewer than 50 spoken words by age two
Isn't combining two words together by age two (e.g. "more milk", "Daddy gone")
Otherwise seems to develop typically, they understand what's said to them, play normally, and reach physical milestones on time
Late talking is different from a broader language delay or developmental language disorder. A child with a language delay also struggles with understanding language, following instructions, or reaching other developmental milestones. A late talker, by contrast, often understands plenty but produces few words.
Why does it happen?
The honest answer: we don't fully know. Late talking can run in families and is more common in boys. Sometimes it's linked to other factors like ear infections affecting hearing, but often there's no clear cause.
The most important thing to understand is that late talking isn't caused by anything parents have done or haven't done. Bilingual households don't cause late talking either, despite the persistent myth.
When should you seek help?
If you're noticing any of the following, it's worth speaking to a speech and language therapist:
By 18 months: your child has fewer than 10 words
By 24 months: your child has fewer than 50 words, isn't combining words, or isn't pointing to communicate
At any age: your child seems frustrated by communication, isn't responding to their name, or has lost language they previously had
The "wait and see" approach used to be common advice, but research has moved on. Early intervention is low-risk and can prevent later difficulties. Most therapists will tell you it's better to assess and discover everything is fine than to wait and miss the window where help is most effective.
What you can do at home
While waiting for or alongside professional support, simple daily habits can help:
Narrate your day - describe what you're doing as you do it ("I'm pouring the milk, here it comes, all done")
Wait and watch - give your child time to attempt a word before filling the silence
Reduce questions - instead of "what's that?" try commenting ("look, a dog!")
Read together daily - picture books with simple, repetitive language
Sing songs - rhyme and rhythm support language development
What a speech therapist can offer
A first session typically involves an informal play-based assessment. Your therapist will watch how your child communicates and ask you about their development. They may use formal screening tools or rely on observation, depending on age.
If therapy is recommended, sessions for young children focus on parent coaching as much as direct work with your child. You'll learn specific strategies that fit your daily routine. For toddlers, online sessions can work surprisingly well because your child is comfortable at home.
The bottom line
If you're worried about your child's talking, that worry alone is reason enough to get advice. A 30-minute conversation with a speech and language therapist can either give you reassurance or set you on a useful path. Either way, you'll have more clarity than the wait-and-see approach offers.
Sources
Source
https://www.iaslt.ie/This article is based on current peer-reviewed research and clinical guidelines. It is intended for informational purposes and does not replace professional clinical advice.