A toddler is usually called a late talker when they have very few words by 18 to 24 months, or are not putting two words together by age 2. Late talking has many causes, from simply being a slow starter to a hearing problem or a wider developmental difference. The first step is always a check with your pediatrician, including a hearing check, so the cause is found early and the right help can start.

What is normal speech for a toddler?

Children develop at their own pace, but there is a typical range. The CDC’s milestone checklists give these guides:

By 12 months
babbles with different sounds (“baba”, “dada”), responds to their name, waves bye-bye and points or reaches to show what they want.
By 18 months
says several words besides “mama” and “dada”, understands simple instructions such as “give me the ball” and points to show you things.
By 24 months
says at least two words together, such as “more milk”, and points to named body parts.
By 30 months
says about 50 words and starts to use short sentences.
By 3 years
talks in sentences, and strangers understand most of what they say.

Understanding matters as much as talking. A child who follows instructions, points and plays with others is usually on a better track than one who understands little, even when both say few words.

When should I worry about my 2-year-old not talking?

Worry is reasonable, and a check is worthwhile, if your child:

  • is not babbling by 12 months
  • is not pointing, waving or using gestures by 12 to 15 months
  • has no words by 16 months
  • has fewer than about 50 words, or no two-word phrases, by 24 months
  • does not seem to understand what you say
  • has stopped saying words or sounds they used to say, at any age

Loss of speech or social skills at any age needs to be checked promptly.

Many late talkers catch up by themselves, but you cannot tell which ones will. Getting checked costs little and means nothing is missed.

What causes speech delay in children?

There is often no single cause, but these are the most common:

Late talking as a variation of normal.
Some children start later and catch up, especially if there is a family history of late talking.
Hearing loss.
Even mild or temporary hearing loss, such as fluid behind the eardrum after repeated ear infections, can slow speech.
A language disorder.
The child has trouble understanding or using words, although hearing and thinking are typical.
Autism.
Delayed speech, with less eye contact, pointing or play with others, can be an early sign. See our guide to autism screening for toddlers in Dubai.
Wider developmental delay.
Speech is one area where a general delay shows up.
Oral-motor difficulty.
Problems with the muscles used for speech, or a tight tongue tie in some children, can affect clear speech. Not every tongue tie causes it. Our guide on speech issues with tongue tie explains how to tell.
Little back-and-forth talking at home.
Children learn language by being spoken to and listened to. Long periods in front of a screen can reduce this.

Speaking two languages does not cause speech delay. Bilingual children may say fewer words in each language at first, but their total vocabulary is typical.

Who should I see first?

Start with your child’s pediatrician. They will:

  1. Ask about your child’s speech, understanding, play and social skills, and your family history.
  2. Check your child’s ears, mouth and general development.
  3. Use a developmental screening questionnaire.
  4. Arrange a hearing test, which should always come before anything else.
  5. Refer you to a speech and language therapist, and to other specialists if needed.

Seeing the pediatrician first saves time. It rules out the simple causes, and a pediatrician can tell you which specialist your child needs, so you are not left guessing between a therapist, an audiologist and a neurologist.

Why does my child need a hearing test?

A child who cannot hear clearly cannot learn to speak clearly. A child can respond to loud noises and to your face yet still miss the softer sounds of speech, so you cannot judge hearing at home. A hearing test is quick and painless and is done for even very young children. Our vision and hearing screening service can help, and our guide to annual hearing and vision tests explains what to expect.

What can I do at home to help my child talk?

These everyday habits help most children, whatever the cause:

Talk about what you are doing.
“I’m cutting the apple. Here’s your apple.” Short, clear sentences work best.
Read together every day.
Point at pictures and name them. Let your child turn the pages.
Wait.
After you ask a question or say a word, give your child a few seconds to answer.
Repeat and add.
If your child says “car”, say “Yes, a red car!”
Sing songs and nursery rhymes,
in whichever language you use at home.
Cut back on screens.
Face-to-face time teaches more than a screen does.
Do not force or correct.
Praise any attempt to communicate, and say the word correctly in your reply without making them repeat it.

None of these replaces an assessment, but they help your child while you wait for one.

Is speech delay the same as autism?

No. Most late talkers are not autistic. But autism can include delayed speech, so a doctor will also look at eye contact, pointing, sharing interest and play. Our autism screening guide explains what the 18- and 24-month checks look for.

When to see a doctor

See your pediatrician if your child:

  • has no babble by 12 months, no words by 16 months, or fewer than 50 words or no two-word phrases by 24 months
  • does not respond to their name or to familiar sounds
  • does not point, wave or use gestures
  • has lost words or skills they once had
  • is hard to understand when they are 3 or older, or is much harder to understand than other children their age
  • has repeated ear infections, or you suspect they cannot hear well

See a doctor promptly if your child loses speech or social skills they already had, at any age.

How we can help at myPediaclinic

Dr. Tala Belbeissi, Consultant Pediatrician, and Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban, Consultant Pediatrician and Medical Director, see toddlers whose speech is slower than expected through our growth and developmental assessment. We review your child’s speech, understanding, play and development, check their ears and arrange a hearing test. Where your child needs speech and language therapy or another specialist, we refer you on and explain what to expect. Both consult in English and Arabic at our clinic in Dubai Healthcare City.

Frequently asked questions

Will my child outgrow a speech delay?

Some do, especially late talkers who understand well, play and point. But some children with a delay have a hearing problem or a language disorder that will not go away by itself. A check tells you which group your child is in, and starting help early gives the best chance.

My child understands everything but does not talk. Should I still worry?

Good understanding is a positive sign, and many late talkers like this catch up. It is still worth a check, because a few of these children have a language or oral-motor difficulty that helps from therapy.

Do boys talk later than girls?

On average, yes, and the gap is small. It does not explain a significant delay, so do not assume your son will catch up just because he is a boy.

Do dummies or pacifiers cause speech delay?

Occasional use does not. A dummy that is in the mouth much of the day can reduce talking and babbling. Limiting it to sleep and settling times gives your child more chance to practise sounds.

Should I wait until my child is 3 before seeking help?

No. Waiting rarely helps. If your child has few words by 18 to 24 months, ask your pediatrician then, since the early years are when speech and language help works best.

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