Helping a Late Talker Find Their Voice: Tips from Sam, Speech-Language Pathologist at Allied Therapy
- Allied Therapy
- Sep 5
- 2 min read
At Allied Therapy, we know how concerning it can be when your child isn’t using as many words as expected. Parents often wonder: “Should I be worried? Should we wait and see?”
To answer these questions, we sat down with Sam, one of our Speech-Language Pathologists, to share simple strategies you can use at home to support a late talker.
What is a “Late Talker”?
A late talker is a child (usually between 18–30 months) who has a smaller vocabulary than expected for their age, but is otherwise developing well. Some children catch up on their own, while others benefit from early support to build strong communication foundations.
Sam’s Top Strategies for Supporting a Late Talker
1. Follow Their Lead
Instead of asking lots of questions like “What’s that? Can you say it?”—get down on your child’s level and join in what they’re already interested in. If they’re pushing cars, you might say:
“Go car!”
“Fast car!”
Children learn language best when it’s connected to something meaningful to them.
2. Use “Modeling” Instead of Pressure
If your child points to the fridge and grunts, instead of saying “Say milk!”, you can respond with:
“Milk. You want milk!”
3. Add One Word
If your child says “car”, you can build on it by saying “big car” or “blue car”. This helps stretch their vocabulary without overwhelming them.
4. Create Communication Opportunities
Sometimes we make life too easy for our kids by anticipating their every need. Try:
Putting a favourite toy in a clear container they need help to open.
Giving them just one cracker so they need to ask for “more.”
These little “communication temptations” encourage your child to use words to get what they want.
5. Repeat and Expand
Children need to hear words many, many times before they use them. If your child says “dog,” you can reply:
“Yes! A big dog.”
“The dog is running.”
Repetition builds confidence. Expansion grows language.
When to Reach Out for Help
Every child develops at their own pace, but it may be time to check in with a Speech-Language Pathologist if your child:
Has fewer than 50 words by age 2.
Isn’t combining words by age 3.
Is getting frustrated often because they can’t communicate.
Book in with our talented Speech-Language Pathologists today. Services are offered in English, Arabic, French, and American Sign Language.
Comments