“My toddler doesn’t speak at all!” Don’t panic – get informed

For parents of most toddlers, a moment’s peace is a thing to be treasured and enjoyed. But when your two-year-old barely speaks at all, silence can be very stressful – especially when all the other kids seem to be talking nonstop.

If your child isn’t saying words at 18 months, most doctors and speech pathologists (including me) will recommend a speech and language assessment.  This can seem like a huge step, but it really just helps get more information about your child’s strengths and what they might need to grow and develop.

How do speech pathologists help?

First, we will talk to you, asking you about your concerns and what your child is and isn’t able to do. We’ll observe your child playing or interacting with family members and then we’ll play and talk to your child. During this time we’ll be listening for the types of sounds your child produces and their words and language, and we’ll be watching their use of gestures and interactions. You can help by telling us whether what we’re seeing is typical and help with activities that show your child’s abilities. Afterward, we’ll review the results of the evaluation and discuss our findings. If there is a clinically significant language or speech delay, we will design and deliver an individual therapy plan to help you and your family kick-start your child’s language development.