04/04/2025
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
As parents, it’s natural to wonder whether your child’s speech and language development is on track. But how do you know if your child is simply a “late talker” or experiencing a speech delay that requires professional attention? Understanding the difference can help you make informed decisions about seeking support for your child.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆?
A speech delay occurs when a child’s ability to produce sounds and form words lags behind typical developmental milestones for their age. For example:
✅ By age 2, most children can say around 50 words and form two-word sentences.
✅ By age 3, they typically have a vocabulary of up to 1,000 words and can speak in short sentences.
Speech delays can result from various factors, including hearing loss, neurological conditions, or developmental disorders. Early intervention is crucial to addressing these challenges and improving outcomes.
𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀?
Late talkers are children who develop language skills more slowly than their peers but show no other signs of developmental delays. These children typically:
✅ Have fewer than 50 words by 24 months.
✅ Struggle with expressive language (speaking) but demonstrate strong receptive language (understanding).
Unlike children with speech delays, late talkers often catch up on their own. However, ongoing monitoring by a speech-language pathologist is essential to ensure progress and identify any underlying issues early.
If your child is not meeting key speech milestones or you’re unsure whether they’re a late talker or experiencing a delay, it’s always better to consult a professional.
At Kidstart Pediatric Therapy, we specialize in helping children overcome communication challenges through personalized, evidence-based therapy. If you’re concerned about your child’s speech development, don’t wait—schedule a consultation today. 𝟲𝟬𝟰-𝟯𝟯𝟲-𝟲𝟴𝟴𝟱
---
www.kidstartpediatrictherapy.com
