Communication milestones can help you gauge where your child’s language development skills fall. If you are seeing consistent delays at each of the milestones, that’s a good indicator that there may be an underlying language delay or speech concern.
It’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace—but milestones help us notice patterns over time, not just isolated moments.
Here are some examples of delayed language development:
- At 7 months, your baby doesn’t babble
- Your 12-month-old isn’t using gestures (like pointing, waving, or reaching to communicate)
- Your toddler is nearing 18 months and only says a couple words
- Your child uses single words to communicate as they reach 3 years of age
If you’re reading through this and thinking that it applies to your child, you may be wondering what your next steps are.
Often, the first step is simply getting clearer on what is typical vs. what may be delayed. Many parents are surprised to learn that early communication includes so much more than just words—it includes gestures, joint attention (sharing focus with you), imitation, and early sound play.
If you want a simple breakdown of what to expect at each stage, you can download my free Communication Milestones Guide. It walks you through exactly what is typical from early infancy through toddlerhood so you can feel more confident about what you’re seeing.
Many states also offer free or significantly reduced early intervention (0–3 years) evaluation services. You can search “early intervention + your state” to find services available in your area.
Another option is to look up a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in your area and schedule a formal evaluation. Evaluations can help give you clarity on your child’s communication skills, what’s developing typically, and what may need extra support.
The good news is that when there is an underlying delay, early support can make a meaningful difference in progress and long-term communication outcomes. And if there is no underlying disorder, you’ll still gain reassurance, direction, and practical strategies to support your child at home.
If you are noticing signs of a late talker but aren’t sure what to do next, I also created a Late Talker Jumpstart Kit, a simple 7-day guide with scripts, routines, and practical strategies to help you confidently support language growth at home without guessing or overthinking every interaction.
And if you choose not to get your child evaluated right now, the most important thing you can do is continue supporting their language growth throughout the day in simple, consistent ways through everyday interactions.
Be sure to subscribe to my email list below and follow @monarch.speech on Instagram for easy, practical tips on how to do this.
