It is a question many parent’s ask, is my child a “late talker” or is it something more serious? “You know your child. You understand what they mean when they point to the door. You listen to them talk and watch them play. You remember what your older children did and said at the same age.

It is normal to compare your child to other children. It is also normal to worry if you think your child is not keeping up,” American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA)

Is my child a “late talker” or something more serious? ASHA answers this:

You won’t know for sure. All children go through the same stages as their speech and language develops. However, it is hard to know exactly when your child will get to each stage. There is a range of what is normal, and it can vary a lot. Your child’s speech and language development depends on:

Their natural ability to learn language.
Other skills that they are learning at the same time.
How much talking they hear during the day.
How people respond to what they say or do

Often times a child isn’t saying much because they don’t understand. Receptive language pertains to what language they understand. It is sometimes called language comprehension or auditory comprehension.

For instance, when you call their name, do they look at you? Respond to what you say or follow simple directions? If you ask, “do you want to go to the park?” Do they let you know they understand what you are saying by:

Get excited

Run to get their shoes

Enthusiastically shake their head yes or no

Grab their favorite toy and run to the door

“The earlier a child’s speech and language problems are identified and treated, the less likely it is that problems will persist or get worse. Early speech and language intervention can help children be more successful with reading, writing, schoolwork, and interpersonal relationships.”

If you have any questions or concerns about your child, we encourage you to contact Orlando’s First Words Therapy. We take a holistic approach to speech-language-therapy to help your child communicate more effectively.

Our therapists have extensive clinical experience and training, ensuring your child receives the highest level of care.