If you had a late talker, when did they finally start talking?

[IdgieThreadgoodeIsMyHeroine]

My 19-month-old daughter can't say any recognisable words yet, although she babbles a lot and can sign quite a few words. It's also clear that she understands a lot of what we say, as, when asked, she can select the correct colour, toy, book etc.

If anyone had a similar situation with their toddler, please can you let me know when they did start talking, and if they required any outside intervention?

Many thanks!

My eldest son didn’t start talking until he was 2-21/2, he had SALT but turns out he had fluid build up in his ears, came close to having gromits fitted but thankfully they drained on their own the week before our appointment and his talking improved dramatically, now 12 and won’t stop talking lol👍🏻, my youngest son is 9 and still doesn’t talk per say he will parrot back words sometimes, can when asked say/name his colours, numbers to 12, shapes and surprisingly dinosaurs- only single words, has occasionally said 2 words together “red circle” but doesn’t use words to communicate like asking for drink or food etc, he has had SALT but they discharged him when he was 3 and hearing checks etc no idea why he can say brachiosaurus but not ‘drink please’ lol he is classed as non-verbal even though he can say words his communication is non-verbal xx

My DD wasn’t saying hardly any words at 19 months. She had an explosion in her speech at 2 years 1 month. Shes 4 now and in her nursery report they said her vocabulary is very sophisticated.. in other words she doesn’t shut up 😂

My DD spoke very clearly in 2/3 word “sentences” from 12 months but my friend’s daughter of the same age, didn’t speak until she was 3. She immediately put words together though and within a few weeks, matched my early talker in her ability to speak. Don’t panic If she’s understanding and supporting herself with signing them she’s getting there.

At DDs 2 year check she had 5 words. SALT was basically useless... they checked her hearing, said she was progressing and she would catch up...

At 4, we moved just as she started Reception. She was diagnosed as severe speech delay and selective mutism within weeks.

Shes got better over time. Her speech is on par with her peers now (since about 9ish?). But... she still has the selective mutism in unfamiliar situations. (For example... shes now able to go to the ice cream shop and ask for what she wants. She managed this at 12, whereas her sister could do it as a toddler (not one obviously!)... but she can't order food in an unknown restaurant). Another example... she really struggles with supply teachers. But can chat away fine to her regular teachers.

But 19months is still young. Its too early really to say if there will be problems or not.

My DD was similar. I can't exactly remember what age clearer speech developed but as she was showing clear understanding and could communicate we didn't worry. Various friends with children development experience 'accessed' her when we met up and didn't have any concerns.
She is now nearly 9 and is absolutely fine with speech etc!
I was a second child and basically didn't speak til I was 2+ as my older sibling communicated for me - then I just started talking in sentences and haven't stopped!

Thank you all for your replies, that's very reassuring.

Dc2 was definitely 2+ Dc1 had been an early talker, so I was a bit worried and remember asking the health visitor to do a hearing check. She said all was fine and that it was really common with a second dc, as the first would often ‘talk’ for them, bring them toys etc. (not the relationship between my two at the time at all, however, but I suppose there was more ‘entertainment’ provided by dc1!)
She was right not to be worried though. He was fine, started talking in his own time and did well at school, degree etc. Very laid back and unhurried personality, still, as an adult!

DC2 had about four words on his second birthday. (He hadn't been walking for that long at that stage either.) Three or four months after that, his vocabulary exploded and he started talking in sentences. He's now six, very bright, and never bloody shuts up.

I honestly think he couldn't be bothered talking until he saw the benefit. He had an unholy screech and we'd mastered understanding what he wanted just so he would stop making that awful noise. So he didn't bother with words until he actually wanted to express himself more precisely.

Apparently I didn’t start talking until 5!

I have no problems these days 😬

My son is 26 months and isnt uttering a word (apart from no, typical!) we have had hearing checks and are awaiting SALT sessions. He has also had a neurodevelopment check and they have said he has speech delay and developmental delay, however we are not sure that he understands us and seldom claps waves, doesn’t answer to his name etc

I’d say if your DC is signing, answering to name and understanding you these are really good signs and 19 months is still very young.
From what I’ve expereinced with various health teams whilst I’ve been dealing with this is that 19 months is still very young, we were told not to worry until my DC was 2, it’s only because of all the other lack of communication etc we are being seen.

2 of my friends sons didn’t start speaking till after 2, my brother round about 3 some kids just take time x

My 3 almost 4yo DS has really only started talking in full sentences in the last 6/9 months. He was referred to SALT at the start of last year as he still wasn't speaking at 2.5yo but he suddenly exploded with words at 3yo and was discharged. Now he won't stop talking 🤣 19 months is still very young and they can go from hardly speaking to a sudden explosion of words. I think it's a great sign that she understands you 😊

My DS was well past his 2nd birthday before he has more than the odd word. It was flagged as a concern at his 2 year check.

In all his development, it was as if he waited until he was sure he could do it before he'd try. So he'd watch and learn and then do it suddenly.

My ds is 4 and only just becoming understandable, at 3 he just repeated a few words over and over and over.

He had an unholy screech and we'd mastered understanding what he wanted just so he would stop making that awful noise.

This is 100% our situation, too!

Thanks again for the reassurance, everyone. @14Georgetown, best of luck with your little boy.

My DS was 25 months

I always say this on these threads but please get her hearing checked. Ask the GP for a referral to Audiology.

My son also only had a handful of words (and not very clear ones) when he was 2. He never has the explosion of language skills that I know other children have but gradually picked up more and more words. I'd say he was still a bit behind throughout nursery but he was very, very quiet there so I think he just didn't have many chances to practice. He's really blossomed since starting Reception and is absolutely in line with expectations and his peers now. He loves reading which has helped is vocab as well as the songs and poems they learn at school.

My DS had 2 words at 18 months and at the HV check when he was 2 years 3 months was saying lots of single words but not linking them, which his nursery said was behind his peers. HV however was unconcerned as his understanding was fine and the words he had, he used with purpose/ in correct context etc. He was also very good at getting his point across with gestures, facial expressions etc.
Within a few months of the HV check he started speaking in full sentences and now at just turned 3 we can't shut him up! The advice we had from both nursery and HV was not to worry too much, keep an eye and continue to encourage use of single words and short phrases by modelling them but ultimately some kids just take a bit longer than others.

Not with my dc, but Dh was a late talker. Didn’t talk until around 2.5 (didn’t really walk either). And then he started talking in sentences and running around. He is mildly dyslexic, though doesn’t impact him really as an adult. I don’t think there was ever really any explanation. He’s well educated and bright and successful now, so hasn’t impacted him any.

My dc didn’t really say words at 19 months either, and only really started showing an interest in words closer to 2. Once the talking started it never stopped and now dc’s speech and reading etc are all above average. So I wouldn’t worry at this stage.

2 and 1/2. But myself and DH were both 3 so I was actually impressed.
Very good understanding but he has his own way of learning where he wont try something new until he thinks he can master it, no stopping him then.

3 and a half, now he NEVER stops talking!!! Not for a single second!!

Ds didn't say a word until 25 months. He had a few speech therapy appointments, not sure how much they helped and was talking normally well before reception.
Never a problem after that, apparently I was rather late talking, blamed on older sibling anticipating my every need.
Dd singing songs and chatting away at 18 months. It varies.

Dts didn't talk until a week after their second birthday. With a couple of days they were talking in complete sentences and haven't stopped at all since.