Speech and language therapy for toddlers: when to start

"Is this normal, or should we get it checked?" is one of the most common questions we hear from parents of toddlers.

Rough guideposts, not rules

By 18 months, most toddlers use around 10 or more words. By age two, many combine two words together ("more juice"). These are guideposts, not strict cutoffs — but a child significantly behind on both is worth a conversation.

Signs worth a screening call

Frustration around not being understood, regression in words previously used, very limited use of gestures like pointing, and difficulty being understood by family members past age two or three are all reasonable reasons to book a screening.

Why earlier is generally better

Toddler brains are highly responsive to early language input. Starting therapy early doesn't mean something is "wrong" — it means giving your child the best possible runway, and many toddlers catch up faster than parents expect once support starts.

What a screening actually involves

A short, low-pressure session — usually play-based — where a speech-language therapist observes your toddler's communication and tells you plainly whether therapy makes sense now or whether it's worth revisiting in a few months.