Why Isn’t My 18-Month-Old Talking? Key Milestones to Monitor

As speech pathologists, we often encounter one of the most common queries: Why hasn’t my 18-month-old started talking? Caregivers seeking guidance in understanding developmental milestones and potential causes for delayed speech require reliable support and information. This article aims to offer insights into typical developmental patterns, provide checklists, and explore the foundational skills necessary for speech development.

By the age of 18 months, many toddlers become quite energetic, exploring their environment with boundless curiosity. This age marks a pinnacle milestone, with significant progress in physical, social, and communication development unfolding simultaneously. While some toddlers begin to form words and simple sentences, others may not talk as expected, instead communicating through babbling or a variety of sounds and gestures. It’s important to recognize that each child develops at their own pace, and a very active 18-month-old not talking may still be acquiring language skills by understanding words and commands without actively speaking them.

Understanding speech and language milestones at the 18-month mark can help parents and caregivers gauge a child’s progress. Typically, an 18-month-old should have a vocabulary of approximately 5 to 20 words. They often comprehend far more than they can express and can follow simple directions or point to familiar objects when named.

However, if a child is not talking but seems to understand, it may be a sign of a speech delay, which can be common and usually addressable with proper interventions. A speech and language checklist can be a valuable tool for identifying if a child is meeting developmental milestones or if they may benefit from additional support or evaluation by a professional. There are some important prerequisites to talking that we will explore in the post.

Key Takeaways

• Active 18-month-olds may vary in speech development, with some not talking yet but understanding language.
• Typical language milestones include a vocabulary of 5 to 20 words and the ability to follow simple instructions.
• Early identification of speech delays and targeted support can positively influence language development.

Understanding Toddler Speech and Language Development

Toddler speech and language development is a crucial stage where children typically begin to expand their vocabulary and start forming words. This progression allows them to express their needs and engage with their environment.

18-Month-Old Speech Milestones

By 18 months, a toddler often has a vocabulary of approximately 5 to 20 words. These words may be animal sounds and approximations for words. For example, “buh” for “ball” counts as a word as long as it is consistent. Other 18 month old speech milestones include:

• Babbling with intent as if conversing
• Gesturing to communicate needs or desires
• Saying their first word by 12 months, with significant variability among individuals
• Starting to imitate word combinations, such as “mama juice,” indicating a desire for juice from their mother, although this might not be consistent

18-Month-Old Language Milestones

Language milestones at this age reflect a child’s understanding, which often precedes verbal expression. An 18-month-old child usually can:

• Understand and follow simple commands without gestural cues from adults
• Point to objects or pictures when they are named, showing comprehension without producing words
• Demonstrate recognition of body parts and/or clothing
• Show interest in simple stories, rhymes, and songs
• Turn to look at familiar sounds and understanding words for daily routines like “bath” or “sleep”

Identifying and Addressing Speech Delays

In monitoring a child’s development, understanding when to identify and address potential speech delays is crucial, especially at the 18-month milestone.

Prerequisites to Speech Development in an 18-Month-Old

1. Hearing: Has your child had a number of ear infections or been diagnosed as having excessive wax in his/her ears? Even if your child has only been treated for a couple infections, that combined with a speech delay is enough to warrant further assessment.
2. Comprehension: This one can be more difficult to rate than you think. Many young children are great at following everyday directions within a routine, so to really get some good information try calling your child by a different name. In this way, you are looking to see if your child fully comprehends the words you are saying or just responding to the sound of your voice.
3. Gestures: Before children start talking, they use simple gestures like pointing or looking at desired objects. They may also reach towards or move away from objects to make their needs known. Keep an eye on them because while they are picking up small Cheerios on the table, they are also developing a refined movement with their fingers that will assist them in other activities like pointing.
4. Babbling and jargoning: These noise making activities speak volumes about language ability. Infants begin by babbling one syllable at a time like ba, ba, ba or da, da. After some time, they learn to string these syllables together, which begin to sound conversational. Soon, they vary their tones from low to high and add some of those gestures mentioned above. Once in a while, you may hear a real word in the mix, usually around 10-12 months old.

What to Do If Your 18-Month-Old is Not Talking

If an 18-month-old is not talking, observing their comprehension and communicative gestures is important. Understanding without speaking can still indicate healthy development. If speech delays are suspected, the following steps are recommended:

1. Hearing Test: Schedule a hearing test to rule out any hearing impairments that could affect speech.
2. Consult: Speak with your pediatrician to discuss concerns and locate early intervention services.
3. Speech Therapy: If indicated, enlist a speech-language pathologist for an evaluation and therapy.

Activities and Resources to Encourage Speech

While you wait for an evaluation, you can take these measures to stimulate communication:

• Engaging the child in daily reading activities to stimulate language development
• Simplifying language to match the child’s comprehension level
• Ensuring consistent responses to the child’s communication attempts
• Imitating the sounds your child makes
• Transitioning from bottle drinking to open cup and straws
• Teaching your child simple gestures and signs

For more ideas, check out this resource from ASHA.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section addresses common inquiries regarding the speech and language development of 18-month-old children who are not yet talking.

What are the common reasons for an 18-month-old child to not be talking yet?

Several factors may contribute to an 18-month-old’s lack of speech, including variations in development rates, being a late talker, or potential underlying issues such as hearing problems or speech and language delays. It is essential to observe the child’s overall development for a comprehensive understanding.

How can you tell if an 18-month-old child understands language even if they are not yet speaking?

An 18-month-old can demonstrate understanding through non-verbal communication, such as following simple instructions, recognizing familiar words and their meanings, and responding to questions with gestures. These indicators suggest they are processing language even if not verbally articulating words.

When should a parent be concerned about their 18-month-old’s lack of speech?

Parents should consult a healthcare professional if their child shows no speech progression, doesn’t understand simple instructions, or has no use of gestures by 18 months. These could be signs of developmental delays, and early intervention might be necessary.

What is the typical vocabulary range for an 18-month-old, and when is babbling considered normal?

The typical 18-month-old may have a vocabulary of approximately 5 to 20 words. Babbling remains a normal part of speech development at this age, especially as a precursor to forming actual words. Persistent babbling without clear words emerging may require attention from a speech-language professional.