What should I do if my toddler is very active but not talking yet?

Do you have a very active toddler not talking? Toddlers like to express themselves through communication in countless ways. They often cry when they don’t get what they want. They laugh when they think you are being silly. They smile when they’re feeling happy or excited. But they also use words. In this blog, let’s understand why your 2 year old not talking but babbling and how to encourage your toddler to talk.

Is it normal for a 2-year-old not to talk at all?

According to speech and language developmental milestones, a toddler should put two words together by the age of 2 and 3+ words in a sentence by the age of 3. If your child is unable to do this, it is best to reach out to a speech therapist and get a speech and language assessment. Feel free to reach our speech professional via noala.

What can cause a very toddler to not talk and what to do first

However, before doing this make sure that you have received a full-length audiological assessment as hearing difficulties may indicate challenges with acquiring language as the toddler is missing out on hearing the words that are being produced. Repeated ear infections can be a flag that hearing is impacted. If a speech therapist is concerned with limited verbal skills, they may refer you to a neuropsychologist to rule out a disorder or challenge that may be the source of limited verbal output.

Is it just that my toddler is active and isn’t listening?

While being physically active can cause a toddler to rely on movement and gestures/body language to convey their communication, it is still important that they use words. If your toddler is 18 month old not talking but understands, it is important to be supportive of your child’s eagerness to be playful through body movements. However, this should be a supplement to verbal communication and should not operate independently. Additionally, when you do speak to your active toddler, they should be able to imitate you.

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What are four reasons toddlers may be late talkers?

You may be wondering, is it normal for a 2-year-old not talking but babbling? However, challenges with processing language is often caused by one of the following, but not limited to;

• Expressive or receptive language delay
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Hearing impairment
• Global developmental delay

Is my child simply a late talker or when should I be worried that my toddler isn't talking?

This is a common question and the answer might be yes! Not every toddler will develop their verbal skills along the same age trajectory. Some will exhibit a language explosion later on. In order to help you think about this, reflect on what your child is ABLE to do:

• Can they point to things to request or understand what you are pointing to indicated by their response in gestures. If so there is a chance they will catch up!
• Can they use gestures functionally to communicate intentions such as hello or goodbye or to request or deny something? This is a sign that they could be a late talker.
• Are they learning new words? Even if they are working at a slower pace, they should be able to learn new words each month. If they can do this, this may also be a sign that they are a late bloomers/late talker.

What to do if my toddler is not talking?

You can ask your doctor to refer you to a developmental specialist who can help you determine if the language delay warrants a speech and language assessment. If the findings indicate a significant delay in verbal communication, early intervention services will be recommended. Early intervention is important for 0-3 year-olds as they can be the determining factor between a language delay persisting or being supported with intervention. Our speech and language services are available to you from £30. Contact us today to find out more.

For tips on how to encourage toddler to talk, we welcome you to read our blog.

Very active toddler not talking resources

• ‍Language Delays in Toddlers: Information for Parents‍
• Late Blooming or Language Problem?