First Words: What to Expect

Most children say their first words around 12 months of age and begin to steadily pick up new words during their first year of life so that they are on track to start combining words around their second birthday (eg. “mommy help”, “car gone”).  A child who is late to talk may need the support of a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to increase their rate of communication development, but make no mistake, parents are the drivers of this bus and the SLP is merely the map.  We’ll guide you by giving suggestions tailored to your child’s skill level, responses to our strategies, interests, and routines.  Parent-training and coaching are the critical elements for supporting a late talker.  An SLP may spend one hour a week with your child but that still leaves 167 more hours that you as a parent can incorporate language stimulation strategies into your everyday activities to make the biggest difference.  The Hanen Centre is world-renowned for their research and programs on this very topic.  Their website offers a variety of articles and information to help you learn, such as “Do Late Talkers Grow out of it”. 

Are you still concerned?  Book an in-person or virtual consultation with me through our online portal https://www.lethbridgetherapycentre.com/contact or send me an email with your questions to brie@lethbridgetherapycentre.com.

Brie Schindel

Registered Speech-Language Pathologist