What if Your 2-Year Old is Not Talking But Understands You?
What if your two-year-old is not speaking yet, but you know they understand what you are saying? If your child has not yet fully developed their verbal communication, they may be what is commonly referred to as a "late talker."
Late talking is when a child understands more than they can say. While this may cause concern for some parents, it is important to remember that all children develop at different rates. In fact, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about 15 percent of children between the ages of 18 and 24 months old are late talkers.
There are several reasons why a 2-year-old is babbling but not talking. Sometimes, it may be because they are shy or introverted. It can also be related to hearing loss or other developmental delays. In most cases, however, the cause is unknown.
Early intervention is key if you are concerned that your child may be a late talker. This article will share tips on a few things you can do to encourage your child's communication development and help you understand when it’s time to seek help.
How to Know if Your Child Understands You
How Do I Know if My Child is Just a Late Talker Or if It’s Something More?
Two-Year-Old Speech Milestones
Causes of Speech Delays in 2-Year-Olds
Does Your Two-Year-Old Need Speech Therapy?
Tips For Parents of Late Talkers
Activities to Encourage Speech and Language in Toddlers
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help Your Toddler Communicate More Effectively
How to Know if Your Child Understands You
Receptive language is the ability to understand spoken language, including following directions, answering questions, and understanding stories. If your child has good receptive language skills, they can communicate their needs and wants, even without talking.
Here are ways of knowing that your child understands you even if they are not talking yet:
Your child follows your gaze
If you are looking at something across the room, does your child look in that direction, too? This is called "joint attention," an important milestone in communication development.
Your child points
Pointing is one of the first ways babies communicate. If your child points to things they want or need, it is a good sign that they understand what you are saying.
Your child responds to their name
If you call your child's name and they look at you, they understand you are talking to them.
Your child imitates sounds
If your child makes sounds back when you make sounds, it shows they are trying to communicate with you.
Your child uses gestures
Gestures are another form of communication. If your child waves "bye-bye" or shakes their head "no," they understand what those gestures mean.
How Do I Know if My Child is Just a Late Talker Or if It’s Something More?
Expressive language is the ability to use spoken language. This includes saying words, putting sentences together, and asking questions. If your child has good expressive language skills, they should be able to communicate their needs and wants verbally.
Here is a checklist of some ways of knowing that your 2-year-old may have an expressive language delay:
Your child has a limited vocabulary
If your child only says a few words, they are likely a late talker.
Your child uses made-up words
If your child uses words they only understand, it is a good sign that they are trying to communicate, but their expressive language skills are not yet developed.
Your child does not imitate words or sounds in their environment
It may indicate a delay if your child does not imitate the words or sounds they hear.
Your child points or gestures to get what they want
If your child is using gestures instead of words to communicate their needs, it may be because they don't yet know the word for what they want.
Your child does not put two words together
If your child is not yet saying phrases such as "more milk" or "daddy pig," they are likely a late talker.
Your child has difficulty asking questions
If your child can only answer yes or no questions, it is another sign that they are a late talker.
Two-Year-Old Speech Milestones
Keep in mind that developmental milestones provided by speech pathologists are a range, not a rule. All children develop differently and at their own pace.
The following milestones are for typically-developing children:
Causes of Speech Delays in 2-Year-Olds
While there are several possible causes of speech delay, often the cause is unknown, and it may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Early intervention and therapy can be beneficial in helping children with speech delays improve their communication skills.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is among young children's most common causes of speech and language delays. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, around 3 in every 1,000 children in the United States are born with hearing loss.
Hearing loss can make it difficult for infants and toddlers to learn the sounds of speech, which can, in turn, delay their development of language skills. In some cases, hearing loss can also lead to behavior problems, as children may become frustrated or withdrawn if they cannot communicate effectively.
If you suspect an early language delay or hearing loss or have a family history of hearing issues, you should have your child's hearing checked.
Neurological Disorders
Some children may have neurological conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome, which can cause speech delays. Children with neurological and developmental disorders may struggle with expressive and receptive language. In addition, they may have trouble understanding what others are saying.
As a result, children with neurological disorders may not receive the same level of language exposure as other children their age, leading to delays in speech development. Various treatment options are available for children with neurological disorders, including occupational, physical, and speech therapy.
Intellectual Disability
Children with an intellectual disability may have difficulty understanding language or processing information, leading to delayed speech development.
Speech and Language Developmental Disorders
Children with speech and language developmental disorders may have difficulty producing sounds and forming words, which can delay speech development.
Lack of Stimulation
Children not exposed to various sounds, words, and conversations may have more difficulty developing speech skills.
Speech Sound Disorders
Some children may have difficulty producing specific speech sounds, such as "r" or "s," which can result in speech delays.
Cognitive Delays
Children with cognitive delays may have difficulty understanding and using language, resulting in speech delays.
Does Your Two-Year-Old Need Speech Therapy?
If you are concerned about your child's speech and language development, the best thing to do is consult a professional at the first signs of a problem. If your child is not yet talking, but you feel they should be, you can ask your pediatrician for a referral to a speech therapist.
A speech therapist can assess your child's development and guide you on what you can do to help. In some cases, speech therapy for your 2-year-old may be recommended.
Remember that early intervention is critical if your child is a late talker. Late language emergence is not always a cause for concern, but it is important to consult a professional to rule out any underlying issues. With the proper support, your child will develop the skills they need to communicate effectively.
How Do Speech Pathologists Assess Children For Language Delays?
Speech pathologists assess children for language delays in a few different ways. One way is through clinical observation, where the speech therapist watches the child interact with others and takes note of their verbal and nonverbal communication.
Another way is through formal testing, which may include using standardized assessments or developmental milestones to identify areas of concern. Finally, speech pathologists may also talk to the child's caregivers to better understand their development.
A speech-language evaluation is conducted playfully, and the child should not feel like they are being tested. The speech pathologist will ask the child to do various tasks, such as answering questions, following directions, or naming objects. They will also observe how the child interacts with others.
The goal of the evaluation is to get a clear picture of the child's strengths and weaknesses to develop an individualized treatment plan.
Tips For Parents of Late Talkers
There are several things you can do to get your toddler talking:
Model Communication
Talk to your child often and use simple words and phrases. They will be more likely to want to communicate when they see you communicating. Pay attention to their body language and facial expressions and respond to them. Describe what you are doing as you do it. For example, "I am cooking dinner now. I am putting the chicken in the oven."
Encourage Your Child to Communicate With You
Encourage your child to communicate with you, even if they are not speaking. You can use baby sign language or picture cards to help your child express their needs. Baby sign language can be a great way to communicate before your child can speak.
If your child points or gestures, try to understand what they want. Respond to their sounds and encourage them to make more sounds.
Read to Your Child
Read to your child every day. Reading will help them learn new words. Point to the pictures as you read and discuss what is happening in the story.
Encourage Turn-Taking
When playing with your child, take turns talking or making sounds. Taking turns will help them understand that communication is a two-way process.
Make Eye Contact
Make sure to look at your child when you are talking to them. Maintaining good eye contact will help them feel connected to you and more engaged in the conversation.
Be Patient
Try to be patient when communicating with your child. Give them time to respond, and don't get frustrated if they don't understand everything you are saying.
Play Games With Your Child
Games are a great way to help your child learn new words and practice their communication skills. Try games that involve pointing, such as "I Spy" or "Where is Thumbkin?" You can also play with toys that involve taking turns, such as block towers or simple card games.
Activities to Encourage Speech and Language in Toddlers
You can still do many things together if your child is not speaking.
Play Catch
Playing catch is a great way to bond with your child and get them moving. It can also help improve hand-eye coordination, skill, and strength. Try using a soft ball or bean bag so it's easy for them to catch. You can make the game more challenging by adding obstacles, such as trees or fences, or by increasing the distance between you and your child.
Read Books
There are so many great books to read with your toddler. Reading is a great way to help your child learn new words and understand their surroundings. Be sure to point to the pictures and discuss what's happening in the story. Pointing will keep your child engaged and interested in reading.
Draw Pictures
Drawing is an excellent way for children to express themselves. Encourage your child to draw pictures and discuss what they did.
Sing Songs
There are many great songs to sing with your toddler, most of which are easy to learn. Some of our favorites include "The Wheels on the Bus," "Old McDonald Had a Farm," and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." These songs are great for teaching new words and sounds, and they're also fun to sing. Plus, they're easy enough for even the youngest toddlers to join in on the singing.
Play With Blocks
Blocks are a great way to help children learn about shapes and sizes. They can also be used to teach counting and other basic concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words should a two-year-old know?
Children learn the language at different rates, so there is no one answer to this question. Some two-year-olds may only be saying a few words, while others may be able to repeat words and phrases. However, most experts agree that children should have a vocabulary of about 50 words by the time they reach two years old.
How can I help my two-year-old with speech and language development?
Helping your 2-year-old with speech and language development is essential for future success. While every child develops at their own pace, there are some general milestones that most children reach around this age.
A toddler talking 50 words and combining two words to make simple phrases is normal for spoken language. In terms of speech development, most two-year-olds are starting to produce sounds like "m," "b," and "p." If your child is not meeting these milestones, or if you have concerns about their speech or language development, it is always a good idea to consult with an early intervention speech pathologist.
What causes expressive language delay in toddlers?
There are many potential causes of expressive language delay in toddlers. Some children develop more slowly than others and may eventually catch up. Others may have underlying medical or developmental issues that impact their communication ability. And some children may be exposed to limited opportunities to practice and hone their language skills.
What are the treatment options for language delays?
The treatment options for language delays will vary depending on the child's needs. Sometimes, no treatment is necessary, and the child will eventually catch up to their peers.
However, in other cases, treatment may be recommended to help the child reach their full potential. The most common type of treatment is speech therapy. Speech therapy can help children improve their communication skills by teaching them how to produce sounds, use words, and compose sentences.
Speech therapy is usually conducted one-on-one. It would be best to look for a speech therapist that your child feels comfortable with and who uses appropriate techniques for their age and level of development.
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help Your Toddler Communicate More Effectively
If your toddler is not meeting the expected speech and language milestones for their age, it is vital to seek professional help. A certified speech-language pathologist can assess your child's skills and guide you on how to best support their development.
At Connected Speech Pathology, we specialize in working with toddlers and their families. We understand the challenges of raising a non-verbal or late-talking child and are here to help. We offer various services, including individual speech therapy and parent coaching. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help your family.
Learn more about our speech therapy services for children
About the Author
Allison Geller is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and the owner of Connected Speech Pathology. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Florida in Speech-Language Pathology. Allison has practiced speech therapy in a number of settings including telepractice, acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and private practice. She has worked extensively with individuals across the lifespan including toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adults. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of communication disorders including receptive/expressive language disorders, articulation disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders, brain injury, and swallowing disorders.
Allison served as the clinical coordinator of research in aphasia in the Neurological Institute at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. She is on the Board of Directors for the Corporate Speech Pathology Network (CORSPAN), a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) certified clinician, and a proud Family Empowerment Scholarship/Step-Up For Students provider. Allison is passionate about delivering high quality-effective treatment remotely because it’s convenient and easy to access. What sets us apart from other online speech therapy options is—Allison takes great care to hire the very best SLPs from all over the country.
