San Jose Late Talker Speech Therapy

If your toddler isn’t talking yet, uses few gestures, struggles with speech sounds, or has trouble following directions, they may be a late talker.

This is a complex issue—some late talkers catch up independently, while others need support. Not every child requires early intervention, but certain risk factors make therapy crucial. Early intervention is effective and can prevent social and academic delays. Fortunately, evidence-based treatments are available to help families mitigate these risks

10-20% 

Prevalence estimates of late language emergency (late talking) in 2-year-old children range depending on the study, but 15% of the population is a good guesstimate.

20-30%

Around 20-30% of late talkers will go on to be diagnosed with a speech/language-based disorder (e.g., autism, developmental language disorder, speech sound disorder).

Wait and See?

While not all late talkers require direct speech therapy, some children are indeed ready to begin treatment. We’re here to help you make the right decision for your child. Get in touch for a free consultation.

What is late talking?

Late talking, also known as late language emergence or speech delay, refers to when toddlers develop spoken language more slowly than their peers. Often, this is just a normal variation in development and doesn't tell us much about future language abilities. However, for some children, a slow start might be linked to an underlying learning or brain difference.

Identifying when a child is a late bloomer versus those who will go on to have a diagnosed speeech or language disorder, can be challenging. Young children develop at different rates in the early years. Our team looks at a variety of different related skills including play, gesture, and understanding language in order to develop a full picture of a child's development and if speech therapy might be needed.

Late Talking Considerations for Therapy

Unfortunately, some pediatricians may be hesitant to recommend a speech therapy evaluation for young children because many late talkers eventually catch up—up to 70%! However, it can be challenging to predict which children will experience a spontaneous language breakthrough without intervention and which ones might not. If you notice any of the following signs or if you have concerns about a language-based disorder, consider reaching out for an evaluation as soon as possible:

  • Your child struggles to understand language and is not speaking as much as expected.

  • Your child seems frustrated, leading to frequent tantrums.

  • Your child is not using many gestures, such as pointing out things to you with an isolated index finger.

  • Your child has difficulty connecting and engaging with others.

  • Your parental instincts suggest that this is something worth exploring—don't underestimate your intuition!

Risk Factors for Language Disorders

  • Premature birth

  • Family history of language impairment (Developmental Language Disorder), autism, dyslexia, speech sound disorders, or processing disorders

  • Being a twin

  • Genetic syndrome

  • Cerebral palsy

  • History of trauma

Late Talker Treatment

Treatment starts with getting a diagnosis. Work with a speech-language pathologist or contact us to schedule an assessment for your child.

The most effective, evidence-based treatment for late talking focuses on equipping you, as the parent, with the skills to support your child's language development throughout daily life. This approach goes beyond tabletop tasks and drilling flashcards. In fact, most of our therapy occurs during your regular activities like playtime, mealtimes, and cleanup.

While some families prefer direct intervention over parent coaching, we are happy to offer either a direct or hybrid approach. All our evidence-based treatment plans include access to an online program for you or your partner to learn techniques before or after speech therapy.

Steps to Help Your Late Talker Thrive

  • Get your child assessed by a trained speech-language pathologist to determine whether or not s/he has a speech or language delay.

  • Your clinician will work with you to create a treatment plan that helps equip you with skills to support your child's language development.

  • Typically, a late talker treatment plan with Little Language Lab involves a structured 12-week program designed to provide you with all the tools and strategies needed to support your child. At the end of the 12 weeks, your therapist will have a clearer understanding of your child and family and will be able to make an informed recommendation about whether to continue speech therapy, take a break, or conclude therapy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is late talking a sign of autism?

Late talking can be a sign of autism, but it is not the only factor to consider.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference that impacts how individuals interact, communicate, and process the world around them. While differences in communication—such as delayed speech or non-verbal communication—can be part of autism, they are just one piece of a broader picture. Autism is often accompanied by differences in sensory processing, social interactions, and behaviors, which vary greatly from person to person. If you have noticed signs of autism bring up your concerns with your pediatrician, and mention them to us in your consultation. We have worked with many autistic children!

Do all children who are late talkers have difficulty in school?

Not all late talkers experience academic problems, but many children who struggle later in school have histories of late talking or other developmental issues. Research strongly supports the value of early intervention between birth and age 3, as language skills at age 3 are one of the best predictors of future academic success. While some late talkers do fine, differences in language processing can be a significant factor in school difficulties.