Sub total: 0.00 BGN
Every parent eagerly awaits their child's first words. The first ‘mummy’ or ‘daddy’. The first words for “give” or ‘hold’. Sometimes months go by waiting to hear them, and they never come. Parents start to worry, look for advice online, or compare their child to other children. However, the line between normal speech delay and signs of concern is often too vague and confusing for most parents. That is why they increasingly ask themselves the question: When is it normal for a child to start talking, and when should it be considered a cause for concern?
In this article, we will look at what late speech is, what the normal stages of speech development are, what the causes of delay are, and when to seek professional advice. We will draw on the experience of child psychologists, speech therapists, and pediatricians to offer parents more clarity and peace of mind.
What is "late talking" and what are the norms?
Every child develops at their own pace, but there are established benchmarks for language development. We call ‘late talking’ a situation in which a child does not reach the expected language milestones for their age. According to experts, if a child does not use any meaningful words by the age of 18 months, this may be a sign of a delay. By the age of 2, a child is usually expected to be able to say at least 50 words and begin to combine them into simple sentences.
However, not every speech delay is cause for concern or a sign of a problem. Some children, especially boys, start speaking a little later than girls, but quickly catch up afterwards. In other cases, however, delayed speech development may be associated with underlying difficulties — auditory, neurological, behavioral or cognitive. That is why early recognition and consultation with a specialist are crucial for their development.
Signs that there may be a speech delay
Parents often intuitively sense when their child's development differs from that of their peers. It is important to pay attention to certain specific signs. If your baby does not babble or make sounds by the age of 9 months, this may be the first sign. Between 12 and 18 months, your child should be using at least a few clear and simple words — if they are not, it is a good idea to consult your pediatrician.
Other warning signs include a lack of understanding of simple instructions (‘Give me the ball’, ‘Come here’), lack of imitation (not repeating sounds, words or gestures), and lack of social attention — the child does not respond to their name, does not seek contact, does not want to play with other children, does not point to objects they want. If by the age of 2.5–3 years the child's speech is difficult to understand even by close relatives, this may also be a sign for further assessment by a specialist.
When is it time to seek help?
Various early childhood development specialists advise parents not to wait too long before seeking help. If by 18 months the child is not using any words, and by 2 years of age is not combining a few simple words into basic sentences, it is a good idea to seek consultation. This does not necessarily mean that there is a serious problem, but it allows for early diagnosis and, if necessary, timely support and assistance with speech development.
You should not rely on popular sayings such as ‘They'll grow out of it’ or ‘Boys always start talking later’. While this is sometimes true, postponing assessment can delay an important therapeutic window. Speech therapists and child psychologists work with children from an early age. The sooner the cause of the delay is identified, the faster the results will come and the better they will be.
If other worrying aspects are noticed during the development process, such as regression (the child was speaking but has stopped), severe irritability, social distance, hyperactivity or communication difficulties, this can be considered an additional reason for consultation.
Possible causes of delayed speech
Delayed speech development can have many causes and is most often not the result of a single factor. Among the most common physiological causes are hearing impairments — even partial hearing loss can significantly hinder the formation of words, no matter how simple they may be. Structural problems such as a short sublingual frenulum can also create mechanical difficulties in articulation.
From a neurological point of view, various forms of generalized developmental delay, including autism spectrum disorders, can manifest themselves precisely through a lack of speech. Children with autism often also lack pointing, have weak eye contact and limited social behavior. Increased hyperactivity can also affect speech — the child has difficulty focusing on linguistic stimuli, quickly moves from one activity to another, and is unable to process and reproduce what they hear.
Psychosocial factors also play a role — an environment with limited speech, screens, a lack of direct human communication, and a limited language model can lead to delays, even in an otherwise healthy child.
The role of specialists in the process of late speech development
When there are concerns about delayed speech development or dyslexia, the speech therapist is the key figure for initial assessment. They conduct various tests, observations and analyses of the child's language skills according to their age. Speech therapists can also guide parents on how to work at home through various speech and breathing exercises and how to create an effective stimulating language environment. If necessary, they can also recommend the involvement of other specialists in this process.
The pediatrician is important for ruling out physiological or medical causes — hearing problems, neurological conditions, chronic infections, etc. The child psychologist is involved when there are suspicions of autism, emotional blockages, hyperactivity, anxiety and social distancing. In some cases, working in a multidisciplinary team is recommended, especially when the delay is combined with other behavioral and developmental characteristics in the child.
The role of parents in late speech development
First, do not wait too long in the hope that everything will normalize on its own over time. Second, talk to your child every day, even if you do not receive a response. Name objects, explain what actions you are going to take, ask simple questions or give simple commands. Reading books, singing songs or doing puzzles can also be very good language stimulation. Speak slowly, clearly and calmly. Be patient and attentive with them.
The use of sensory toys, such as a busy board, can also aid development — especially in children who learn through action. Through active manipulation and listening to your explanations (‘Turn the cogwheel’, ‘Open the door’, ‘Fasten the zip’), the child not only develops their fine motor skills, but also associates words with actions and objects — a key step towards their first words.
Be patient!
Late speech development is sometimes simply part of a child's individual pace of development, but in some cases it may be an indication of a need for additional support. Parents should not panic, but they should not ignore their own feeling that ‘something is wrong.’ Early consultation with a specialist does not necessarily mean there is a problem, but rather care and attention to the child's individual development path.
It is important not to compare ourselves to others, but to focus on the needs of our own child. With love, patience and timely support, most children overcome difficulties and develop confidence in communication. And when the first words finally appear, they are even more precious because they come at the right time, with their own story.
