To think when your child starts talking is a sign of their intelligence?

My eldest cousin didn't speak properly (in sentences) until he was 3. He was a high achiever at school and is now a doctor,

Just because no words are coming out, it doesn't mean nothing is going on inside :)

My stepson was a good talker from a young age but isn't gifted intellectually

My nephew got to two with not many words and then all of sudden was speaking loads. Sometimes these things take time. Try not to worry

My DD1 started talking so early and was fully understandable by 2.5 in full sentences. She is dyslexic and struggles academically. BUT, her way with words is insane. She is sarcastic, so quick witted, very perceptive and aware of peoples feelings and emotions.

My DD2 didn't utter a word until after 2, and at 5, to some people, is not easy to understand. She is the most academically able child in her class. Can read and comprehend chapter books. Can do her times tables easily. BUT, she dislikes people. Is very shy and wouldn't say boo to a goose.

What is intelligence? How do you quantify it?

Someone at Oxford doing maths, but has no social skills. Someone at UWE doing Early Childhood Studies who will get any interview she goess too, as she is so personable? Someone who didn't pass their GCSE's but is incredible at the piano?

It really isn't. I talked pretty fluently at about 18 months. My Dsis didn't say anything much until past 2, then spoke in complex sentences from day 1. We are both more than averagely intelligent.

My son didnt talk until he was 2 years old and had to have some speech therapy.

He is now 17 and on track to be accepted at Oxford to study law.

"Autistic people are usually 'gestalt language processors', meaning that they learn sentences or figures of speech rather than single words. This also usually means that they start speaking later than usual. However, they might start reading earlier (hyperlexia)."

I genuinely didn't know this, despite the amount of autism in the family.

I first spoke at nearly 2 but could read at 2 (primary-school teacher parent, and a 4-yr-old brother). And yes, my first 'word' was a sentence.

I have a Cambridge PhD, for what it's worth, and a most excellent memory for turns of phrase, to the point that accidental plagiarism was always an academic risk.

I have 2 children one was speaking full sentences at 18 months the other was only saying odd words at 3 both now have degrees and good jobs

Not at all. Einstein didn't talk until he was 3. My son (gifted) didn't speak early (but used sign language early). Lots of geniuses started speaking late (I think it's called Einstein syndrome). I guess they realise it's more important to listen than talk.

There's a big 'normal' range in terms of learning to talk. Remember also that language is a two-way street: receptive and expressive. Ask your DD 'where's your nose?' and see if she points to it; this will show you her receptive language processing ability.

Autistic people are usually 'gestalt language processors', meaning that they learn sentences or figures of speech rather than single words. This also usually means that they start speaking later than usual. However, they might start reading earlier (hyperlexia).

Two of mine were slow talkers. One of them turned out to have hearing issues. Once those were resolved talks fine and does well academically at school.

Another was slow to talk for no obvious reason - barely said anything until about 3. I was getting pretty worried but chats away now and is exceptionally bright

My anecdotal evidence says not. I was 2.5 before I said my first ever word. My first word was "me want a bana". My DD said "no" and nothing else for a VERY long time and then moved straight to full sentences. We are both ASD but both intelligent. I have a STEM degree and a very senior job in science.

If that was the case then a scientific study would have proved it. It wouldn’t be hard to study because you could record speech development and compare it to IQ at a later age.

When you meet an adult, can you tell if they were an early talker or not? No you can’t.

It’s the same as Olympians not necessarily being early walkers- there’s no correlation

No for us it was a sign of ADHD! Chatter chatter chatter chatter

Nope, my youngest didn’t start talking until she literally had something to say. She is probably genius IQ but never had her tested.

My eldest DS didn’t talk until he was over 2. The health visitor was concerned when she visited for younger DS but I never was as I knew he understood what was being said around him and could follow instructions. I would have been concerned if he hadn’t seemed to understand. When he did start talking he was very quick to fluency and now at 15 he seems pretty bright (top sets at school).

clearly though there will be examples where not speaking until late is a cause for concern.

The Chris Packham Autism Documentary had a young-ish man on it who didn't communicate at all verbally but the stuff he wrote was emotionally mature and complex, and he completed a Masters. So no, verbosity isn't the only measure of intelligence.
I have a family member who didn't speak til nearly four but also learnt to read an analogue clock face at the same time. That person did a professional degree in their area of interest, is successful in their career (and has to communicate with clients as well as knowing their stuff professionally) has a happy marriage (as far as one can ever tell!) and is bringing up some wonderful kids. They were also really popular in school, confident and self assured. One of those people where if you didn't love the you'd hate them due to envy!
I'm unconvinced age of speech onset tells you anything much. Apparently Einstein didn't speak til 4 but most kids who don't speak til 4 don't grow up to be ground breaking physicists.

One of my children was quite slow to talk but turned out to be extremely intelligent. I think I was slow to talk as well, so maybe there’s an hereditary element.

20 months is very young. Speak to the HV or GP if worried.

Generally it isn’t, but at 20 months I would be asking the GP or health visitor about it. No professional qualifications but mum of 6 x

My son is 2.5. He says about 5 words. I've been told repeatedly by health professionals that it's nothing to do with intelligence. My OH didn't speak until he was 4, you wouldn't know it now.

No, I don't think there's a connection.

No link.

Some very bright children are early talkers. But not all early talkers are very bright. The same applies to late bloomers - some are very bright and some are not. Too many other variables to be able to infer anything from when they start talking. I'm sure your dc will start talking when he's good and ready.

I didn't speak until I was 5, neither did my son. We are both intelligent (based on being "high achievers"). We are both also autistic.

I hope not! My son was late to talk (SLT and everything) but he seems bright enough at 9.