Late Talkers or Language Delay?

Toddlers who are not meeting developmental norms for speech and language development may be late bloomers or they may be showing signs of late language emergence or expressive and/or receptive language delays.

Late talking can also be a sign of another diagnosis such as autism spectrum disorder. SLPs can facilitate language development through direct therapy strategies and via parent education and implementation of a home program targeting speech and language. Language intervention for these children should be culturally attuned and based on family- and child-centered needs. Early intervention is considered best practice.

ASHA Communication Developmental Guidelines by age 24 months

Uses and understands at least 50 different words for food, toys, animals, and body parts.

Speech may not always be clear—like du for “shoe” or dah for “dog.”

Puts two or more words together—like more water or go outside.

Follows two-step directions—like “Get the spoon, and put it on the table.”

Uses words like me, mine, and you Uses words to ask for help.

Uses possessives, like Daddy’s sock. .

Why Early Intervention?

For some children, LLE may be an early indicator of language impairment. (ASHA.org). And although many children with LLE go on to perform within the normal range on expressive and receptive language measures by kindergarten age (Ellis Weismer, 2007; Rescorla, 2000, 2002), their scores on such measures continue to be lower than those of children with a history of typical language development, matched for socioeconomic status (Paul, 1996; Rescorla, 2000, 2002).Early intervention therapy can help narrow the gap and change their developmental trajectory.

I am trained in and have experience applying early speech and language development treatment strategies that are family supportive and evidenced based including: