Language Delay "Late Talkers"
Developmental specialists have used the general rule-of-thumb that 'late talkers' have a spoken vocabulary of fewer than 50 words on their 2nd birthday. Recent studies suggest this estimate is on the conservative side. It is probably better for parents to err on the side of caution and seek the professional opinion of a Speech-Language Pathologist if their toddler has fewer than 50 words between 18 and 24 months. This does not mean that the 50 words will be pronounced perfectly - two year olds are supposed to talk baby talk!
When to seek help?
The right time to seek help is when you, as a parent, are concerned. It can be difficult to decide if your child needs speech therapy. There is a wide range of what is considered "normal". All kids develop differently and excel in different areas. It is important to listen to that "parental instinct" and the best way to identify if your child would benefit from speech-language therapy is to seek the advice of a speech-language pathologist.
Copyright © 1998-2017 Caroline Bowen