Is My Child a Late Talker? by Chicago Speech Therapy | Chicago Speech Therapy

Is My Child a Late Talker? by Chicago Speech Therapy

Some children are late bloomers; this is not a disorder of any kind.  If you are a parent, you are familiar with the concern that accompanies parenting – you cannot help but worry about your child’s progress and growth.  Communication between children and parents begins with the first moments they enter into the world.  Crying and smiling and waving their arms are the first attempts to convey a message.  It’s during these preliminary months that we really wish they were able to just “tell us what they want.”  Speech and communication is an important part to growth, mentally and physically.  There is no secret why the worry begins to seep in, when our child seems to be delayed in this category.

There is no exact standard to diagnose late talkers versus children with speech disorders.  A child develops communication through cooing, making sounds and reacting and imitating the sounds they hear.  The way your child reacts to you is the first way he or she learns to talk.  Your child will turn and look at you when you make sounds or talk to him or her.  Children will smile or cry to tell you what they want.  Without words they rely on sounds and gestures, reaching or waving at people or objects.  Each child progresses at a different rate, but you will see the ways your child grows, and if you sense something is delayed, you should follow that intuition.  If your child has reached 18 months and is still not using true words (even if it’s only 1, like “go, more, ma-ma”) you may want to have an evaluation done to investigate the situation further.

An evaluation can identify what is causing the delay in speech.  Licensed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are able to detect if your child needs speech and language therapy.  The sooner a diagnosis is reached, the easier it will be to rectify the issue.

Late talking can be the result of temperament, when a child is just shy.  It can also be due to verbal apraxia, a speech disorder that affects the way a child learns how to speak and make sounds.  While the cause is unknown, it is best to diagnose this disorder as soon as possible to counteract it with therapy.  There are other disorders cued by late talkers, but none can be correctly diagnosed without consulting a licensed speech therapist.  It is best to follow your intuition on your child’s development and seek professional help if you have questions or concerns.

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"Elizabeth was an incredibly communicative and supportive therapist for our daughter. We saw impressive improvement quickly, and our 2yo often looked forward to their weekly sessions. Our daughter just graduated from speech and we're so grateful for Elizabeth's expertise, empathy, and support over the past year!"

"We had the most wonderful experience with Chicago Speech Therapy! Our speech pathologist, Miss Megan, developed a bond with our son almost immediately. By week two, he would await her arrival by the window in our front door! She quickly discovered all of his favorite things and would bring so many toys of her own that would keep him engaged and wanting to talk! She gave us (parents) tons of strategies to work with on our own in between her weekly visits. Our son made consistent progress under her care and has now been released from speech therapy ~ which actually makes us so sad ~ simply because we miss Miss Megan! She basically became part of our family and will be dearly missed. I couldn’t recommend Miss Megan and Chicago Speech Therapy more!"

Speech Therapy Services We Offer | Chicago Speech Therapy

Speech Therapy Services We Offer

Our expert speech-language pathologists are equipped to address a wide range of communication challenges, providing tailored solutions for each child's unique needs. From early language development to complex communication disorders, we offer comprehensive support at every stage of your child's journey.