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What Is a Late Talker?

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Summary

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A late talker is a child who doesn’t start speaking as much as other kids their age. This can be normal, but in special cases, it can signal a speech or language problem, and it’s important to talk to a doctor about it.

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Frequently Asked Question

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What causes a child to be a late talker?

There can be many reasons for a child to be a late talker, including hearing loss, developmental delays, or difficulties with oral motor skills. At times, the causes may not be clear and may require further evaluation by a doctor or speech therapist.

Is a late talker a sign of a more serious problem?

Being a late talker can, in some cases, indicate a more serious problem, such as autism or a language disorder. However, in many cases, late talking is simply a developmental delay that can be overcome with the help of speech therapy.

How can I help my child if they are a late talker?

To help your child if they are a late talker, you can provide them with opportunities to practice speaking and engage in activities that promote language development. It may also be helpful to seek the advice of a doctor or speech therapist, who can offer more specific guidance and support.

Scientific Definition

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A late talker is a child who doesn’t start talking or speaking as much as other kids their age. Most babies start saying simple words, like “mama” and “dada,” around one-year-old. But some children don’t start talking until they’re two years old or older. This can be normal for some kids, especially if they have other ways of communicating, like pointing or gesturing. But, in some cases, it can be a sign of a speech or language problem that needs to be addressed. Talk to your doctor immediately if you’re worried about your child’s speech development. They can help you figure out if there’s a problem and what you can do to help your child start talking more.

Treatment to Help with the Symptom Late Talker

Effective treatment strategies for late talkers can help improve their speech and language development. By incorporating engaging activities and consistent communication practices, parents can support their child’s progress.

  • Speech Therapy: Work with a speech-language pathologist for targeted interventions.
  • Encourage Communication: Create a language-rich environment and encourage gestures and simple words.
  • Use Visual Aids: Utilize picture cards or visual schedules to enhance comprehension.
  • Play and Social Interaction: Engage in language-focused play and encourage interaction with peers.
  • Patience and Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate milestones and provide encouragement.

With early intervention and support, most late talkers can catch up to their peers in language skills. Ongoing speech therapy or support may be needed for some children. Overall, the prognosis for long-term language development is positive.

Conditions Associated with Being a Late Talker

Late talkers may have underlying conditions affecting their speech development. Identifying these conditions helps parents seek appropriate support and interventions.

  • Speech/Language Disorders: Expressive language disorder, speech sound disorder, and other speech/language issues can contribute to late talking.
  • Hearing Loss: Impaired hearing can significantly impact speech and language development.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Some late talkers may have ASD, which can delay language acquisition.
  • Developmental Delays: Cognitive or motor delays can affect speech and language abilities.
  • Bilingualism: Growing up in multilingual environments may cause slight language acquisition delays.

Recognizing associated conditions aids early detection and intervention for optimal speech and language development. Goally, our tablet product, helps kids with late talking by offering interactive apps for life and language skills. With digital visual schedules, AAC, gamified learning, and apps for emotional regulation, executive functioning, bedtime routines, and social skills, Goally supports comprehensive development.

 

This post was originally published on Feb. 13, 2023. It was updated on July 8, 2023.