is my child a late talker?
Late talkers. Ah! This label can bring with it a sense of worry or concern for both parents and professionals. However, it's important to remember that all children develop at their own pace and that there is a wide range of what is considered normal language development.
Let’s reframe our thoughts around what a late talker actually is, some common misconceptions, and what parents can do to support their child’s development.
What is a late talker?
A late talker is a child who is slow to develop spoken language skills compared to their peers. Typically, a child is considered a late talker if they have not started to say words by the time they are 12-18 months old, or if they are significantly behind in their language development compared to other children of the same age.
One common misconception is that late talking is always a sign of a language delay or a more serious issue. While this can be the case for some children, it's important to understand that many late talkers go on to develop typical language skills without intervention. In fact, up to 25% of children who are considered late talkers eventually catch up on their own.
Another common misconception is that children who are not speaking by age 2 are at a disadvantage and will never catch up. This is simply not true. Children develop language skills at different rates and there is a wide range of what is considered typical. Some children may start speaking as early as 9 months, while others may not start speaking until after 2 years old.
It's also important to remember that there are many factors that can impact a child's language development, including genetics, environment, and individual differences in learning. This means that even with the best interventions and support, some children may take longer to develop their language skills.
So, how can we reframe our thoughts around late talkers? First, we can focus on the child's strengths and positive qualities rather than solely on their language skills. Children who are late talkers can still have strong social skills, imaginative play, and a love of books and songs.
Second, we can provide support and resources to families to help their child develop their language skills. This may include early intervention services, speech therapy, and simple strategies like talking to the child throughout the day and reading books together.
Finally, we can keep in mind that every child is unique and that language development is just one aspect of their growth and development. With patience, support, and a focus on their strengths, many late talkers go on to develop typical language skills and thrive in all areas of their life.
There are a number of things parents can do to support their child's language development if they are a late talker. These include:
Talking to your child: Encourage your child to talk by talking to them as much as possible. Use simple, repetitive language and give them plenty of time to respond.
Reading to your child: Reading is a great way to introduce new words and encourage your child to talk. Choose books with simple, repetitive language and lots of pictures.
Imitating your child: Repeat the sounds and words that your child says, and encourage them to imitate you.
Playing with your child: Play games that encourage your child to talk, such as pointing to objects and asking them to name them.
It's important to remember that every child develops at their own pace, and there is a wide range of normal when it comes to language development. If you are concerned about your child's language development, it's important to seek the help of a speech therapist. A speech therapist can help you to understand your child's language development and provide you with strategies to support them.
At SG Speech Therapy, we understand the importance of early intervention when it comes to language development. If you have concerns about your child's language development, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We would be more than happy to help!
With Love,
SG Speech Therapy