Most parents, even when they try to fight it, can’t help but compare their child’s developmental milestones to what all the parenting books say they should be as well as when other children in their life are reaching them.
When they sit up, start crawling, take their first steps, and of course when they say their first words. Though we try our best to remember each and every child is different, and rarely hit their milestones when the parenting books say they’ll hit them, sometimes we can’t help but be concerned when we feel like our child has somehow fallen behind. That is probably truest when it comes to starting to speak.
Based on my personal experience I notice that it is around the age of two or three that parents begin to grow concerned with what they see as a speech delay in their child. It is around this age (and slightly older) that parents might consider talking to their pediatrician or even visiting a speech therapist.
It’s easy to get scared when you begin to fear that your child’s speech development isn’t happening as it should be or that it may also cause lasting behavioral or emotional issues as well.
But parents can finally rest assure in regards to speech delays based on the results found in a recent study, which basically says that a toddlers language delay is no cause for concern.
The study, which was published in the July 4th issue of Pediatrics magazine, found that of the 1,400 children involved in the study 18% had a language delay. The big news is that the 18% of these toddlers showed that they were no more likely to have emotional or behavioral issues than children who did not have a language delay. The study also showed that these late talkers showed no difference in intellectual or developmental delay as well. They also tend to outgrow the frustration of not being able to communicate clearly.
“Parents should not be overly concerned that late-talking at age two years will result in enduring language and psychological difficulties for the child,” Dr. Andrew Whitehouse, an associate professor and of developmental psychopathology at the University of Western Australia in Subiaco, told HealthDay magazine.
Of course there can be variables in each child that should be discussed with the child’s pediatrician, but based on this study parents shouldn’t be overly concerned unless a child enters school and is still dealing with a language delay.
So if you’re concerned because your little two year old isn’t talking as much as your neighbors little chatty Cathy down the street, have no fear! You’re little one will talk when she’s ready too and you’ll probably be looking for her mute button in no time.
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{ 24 comments }
As the author of this piece I wanted to reinforce this statement, "Of course there can be variables in each child that should be discussed with the child’s pediatrician"
Someone on Twitter tweeted out the following link, http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/learn-sig… And pointed out that this article could cause someone to overlook significant signs of autism. A natural delay in speech ALONE is what is being talked about here in this article. But a delay in speech alongside the other many signs listed in the above link should never be ignored.
-Meghan
my daughter didn't talk until she was almost two, but she was walking by 1. our friend's child talked at one, but did not walk until almost 2. seems to me they are working on speech or walking but can't work on both at once!
Meghan, I thought you made the point very clearly that the article along shouldn’t take the place of consulting with a physician about concerns over a child’s situation, but that parents could be reassured that delayed speech in and of itself is not a dire sign of trouble.
When I pulled up the comments I was dismayed to see that someone had used this article (& study) as an opportunity to imply negligence or carelessness. But I suppose the person who tweeted that might have a high degree of sensitivity to the subject. So I’ll just reiterate that I thought your post was quite balanced and reasonable.
Thanks so much Beth. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and let me know that. Thanks!
my son is only 19 months, but has no words, technically this is still within the range of normal, but it is still VERY frustrating when we can't communicate.
that was one thing that this article seemed to gloss over was that with a speech delay, communication is really difficult, and can lead to a lot of frustration on both the child and the parents end. we have experienced quite a few frustration tantrums when our son clearly wanted something, but we could no figure out what with grunts and pointing alone.
BUT we have found that ASL (American Sign Language) is a lifesaver in this respect. as soon as we started signing to my son it was like a switch turned on, he now knows over 40 signs and while we still have a few communication troubles, things go much more smoothly for us! looking up some other studies, it seems that many children's language centers are ready to go way before their mouth and tough dexterity can form the words. but manual dexterity in the arms and hands is more than adequate to form signs, so that child can still communicate and build those neural pathways even of they can't yet speak with their mouths.
it may be worth it to suggest to parents of late talkers that they introduce some baby sign language to help with their communication woes while they work on getting their little ones to talk.
You are so right Abigail! Every child struggles during that phase when they figure out that they can communicate and when they are actually able to communicate, whether that phase lasts a few months or a couple of years. Sign language is certainly a smart tool to use during that phase in development. Aside from that, the best we can do as parents is try to be as patient as possible and know that it is a phase that will pass (in most cases). I was a daycare provider for many years and I remember having a child start in my daycare who was almost two and was hardly speaking at all, to the point the mom had brought it up to the doctor (who said he was still within normal range). Within two months of being in my daycare he was talking a blue streak! I don't take credit for it though, the very talkative kids in my care where the ones who helped push him over that hump. Being around talkative kids can sometimes be a big help in getting past that phase as well.
from my personal experience, each child develops their speech skills, or any other skill for that matter, at different ages. it is best to consult a speech therapist as to whether your child is truly late.
This is definitely reassuring, but I think parents are going to worry regardless! Everything is just a little scary anyway.
Each child develops their speech skills at different ages. My son started talking later than my daughter. The Dr reassured us he was still on schedule.
They all catch up eventually, Nothing at all to worry about. I've had early talkers and late talkers.
My son talked late but learned to read really early.
My youngest son was a late talker. While I agree with this artical, I do think it is important to consult with your pediatrician to make sure that there are no other problems. I believe that in cases of concern, early intervention is key to helping your child be successful.
Thank you! My daughter has been so worried that my granddaughter is a late talker. She spoke to the pediatrician, and has her in speech classes, but still continues to worry. I didnt see it as that big of a problem, since my granddaughter is fine in everything else. Also, she talks a little more for me than for my daughter…lol. This article just confirmed my thoughts. Thanks again!
I am a new mom, so I would worry regardless…My cousin didnt start talking until after 2 years old, he would point & grunt & everyone knew what he wanted, including his older brother & sister, so I guess he didnt feel the need to start using words…He finally started talking & when he did, he talked very well & is now a recent college grad.
Our daughter didn't start talking until shortly after turning four. I had always played phonics dvd's and shows for her through the years; and, then, just a couple of weeks after she turned four, she started reading everything–big and small words. She is now four and excels in her homeschooling. Our son, who just turned four, is also not talking. We have heard words here and there, but he just shows no interest in talking yet. However, he does excel in other areas of development. We don't worry about this. We know he will start talking when he wants to. There are four other people in the house constantly talking, and there may not have been a need or chance for them to try and talk earlier on.
"She is now seven and…"
For me this is just a good reminder that kids develop at different rates. If your child is slower in an area it is easy to get caught up and worry. Thanks for the reminder!!
I think this is definitely good for parents to know, since a lot of parents worry about everything! I also think that if you're worried about something, you should have it checked out, just to make sure. It never hurts to talk to your doctor about it. There is a balance between checking things out and not worrying too much!
I agree about talking to the doctor. I was determined not to be a worrier where my son was involved, so when he didn't have all his sounds, I figured he'd grow out of it. He was in speech therapy for 2 YEARS. I'm sure if I had talked to somebody sooner, it would have been quicker and a whole lot less painful for both of us.
After working with developmentally disabled children for 4 years, it's clear that everyone (non disabled kids too obviously) grow differently and it's clear that parents freakout over quiet kids and talkative kids alike. Don't be paranoid, read to your kid and relax. The words WILL come.
I did a lot of this when my son was younger. As it turns out, he was diagnosed with autism at age three. While there is no benefit to playing the "who's child can do what first game," there is a lot of benefit to being aware of what the red flags are for developmental disabilities. Even our pediatrician put us off by telling us that "boys talk later," etc. I think that if we had been more informed, we would have gotten an earlier diagnosis and earlier treatment.
My son, who is now 30 was a late talker, but appeared to be a deep thinker, almost like he was talking in his head first and not yet ready to share. Once he started, he ran with it, although he is a man of few words.
My daughter was a late talker. She babble, but nobody but my son could understand her. She would babble and my son would say "she wants some more juice" . She was three before we could understand her.
Yes!