Your baby seems just like every other baby. He smiles, laughs, plays, crawls and walks on the same timeline as any other child you see. As time goes by, you start to notice that he talks less than his same-age peers. He doesn't interact as much at the playground; he doesn't communicate his needs to you. You may start to wonder if your toddler a language delay.
There are many potential causes of language delays in toddlers. Some kids are simply not verbal-- and this is, of course, fine. Others are suffering from hearing problems, while some have cognitive disabilities. In general, it's safe to assume that your late-talking toddler is "just" a late talker, with no underlying problems. However, these red flags can indicate that your toddler has a developmental delay requiring evaluation.
1. She doesn't use gestures by 12 months. If, by your toddler's first birthday, she doesn't use simple gestures such as waving, clapping, shaking her head, or pointing, she may have a language delay. Gestures are an important component of communication, and a toddler who doesn't use them may be missing some major points of effective communication.
2. He doesn't "ask" for help by 12 months. Your one-year-old isn't yet supposed to ask for things in full sentences, but he should be able to indicate his needs in some way or another. For example, if he wants to nurse, he might ask for "nuh-nuh," point to your chest, or make the sign language signal for "milk." It doesn't matter how your toddler communicates his needs, but he should have some way of indicating that he needs help.
3. She doesn't use several consonant sounds by 12 months. Your one-year-old toddler should be able to use several consonant sounds, either in babble or in "real" words. She should be able to make simple consonant phonemes such as puh, buh, duh, guh, yuh and nuh. If she can't do this yet, she may have a hearing problem or other medical condition that needs to be addressed.
4. He doesn't respond to your words, by 15 months. Your toddler should respond to simple verbal cues such as "wave bye-bye," "no," and "okay," by 15 months of age. If he doesn't do this by 15 months, it is considered to be a red flag for a language developmental delay. Talk to your toddler's pediatrician if he seems to be unable to hear or understand common words and cues used in everyday speech.
5. She doesn't say at least three words by 15 months. Most 15-month-olds can speak at least three words meaningfully, and they begin acquiring several new words per day by 18 months. If your toddler doesn't say at least one to three words-- knowing the meaning of each-- by this stage, she should be evaluated by a professional.
6. He doesn't point to familiar objects by 16 months. Your toddler should respond readily and correctly to questions like, "Where is daddy?" and "Where is your belly?" by the time he reaches 16 months of age. A few babies may also be able to point to pictures in a book when asked at this age. Check with an expert if your toddler can't do these things.
7. She doesn't use at least 15 words by 18 months. By the time your toddler hits a year and a half of age, she should be adding to her spoken vocabulary every single day. If she can't use 15 words correctly, in a way that you can understand, before 18 months, she likely has a speech delay and would benefit from extra help.
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