Is my 2-year-old a late talker?

The short answer

• Many 2-year-olds put two words together, like “more milk”.

• Many late talkers catch up, but some do not, and it is hard to tell which at this age.

• You do not have to wait and see. Asking early costs little and can save time.

What “late talker” means

Speech therapists often use the term for toddlers around age 2 who say fewer words than expected, or are not yet combining words, while their understanding, play and hearing seem on track.

It describes where your child is today. It is not a diagnosis, and it says nothing about how bright your child is.

What many 2-year-olds do

Milestone checklists, such as the one from the CDC, list what most children do by 2 years:

• Say at least two words together, like “more milk”

• Point to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”

• Point to at least two body parts when you ask

• Use gestures beyond waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes

Children grow at their own pace. Use this as a guide for a conversation, not a test.

Signs not to wait on

Talk to your pediatrician and a speech therapist soon if your child has lost words or skills they used to have, is missing several of the milestones above, does not seem to understand simple words or directions, or rarely responds to their name or to sounds.

Your pediatrician can check hearing. Children under 3 can also be evaluated by your state's early intervention program at no cost to you.

Try this at home

1. Narrate your day. Name what you are both doing, in short phrases: “Shoes on. Big shoes.”

2. Pause and wait. Leave a few seconds of silence after a question, so your child has room to try.

3. Offer choices. “Apple or banana?” gives your child the words to answer with.

4. Add one word. If your child says “ball”, you say “big ball”.

5. Read together, and point. Name pictures, then pause and let your child point or name them.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. If you are worried, ask a professional.