5 Signs Your Toddler Might Benefit from Speech Therapy

Every child develops at their own pace—but as a parent, it's hard not to compare. If you've caught yourself wondering whether your toddler's speech is "normal," you're not alone. Here are five signs that a speech evaluation might be worth exploring.

1. Limited Words for Their Age

By 18 months, most toddlers say around 20 words. By age 2, that number jumps to 50 or more, with two-word combinations like "more milk" or "daddy go." If your child has significantly fewer words than these benchmarks—or isn't combining words by age 2—it may be worth a closer look.

That said, word count isn't everything. Some late talkers catch up on their own. The key is looking at the full picture.

2. Difficulty Being Understood

By age 2, unfamiliar listeners should understand about 50% of what your child says. By age 3, that jumps to around 75%. If grandparents, babysitters, or other adults consistently can't understand your toddler—even when you can translate—speech clarity might be an area to address.

Common patterns include dropping sounds from words ("ba" for "ball"), substituting sounds ("tap" for "cap"), or simplifying words in ways that make them hard to decode.

3. Frustration When Communicating

Toddlers get frustrated—that's normal. But if your child regularly melts down because they can't express what they want, or if they've stopped trying to communicate altogether, that's a signal. Some kids compensate by pointing, pulling you toward what they want, or acting out physically.

Communication should feel mostly successful for your child, even if it's not perfect. If it feels like a constant struggle, support can help.

4. Not Responding to Their Name or Simple Directions

By 12 months, most babies respond to their name consistently. By 18-24 months, toddlers typically follow simple directions like "get your shoes" or "give me the cup." If your child seems to tune out language—even when hearing is fine—it could indicate a receptive language delay.

Sometimes what looks like "not listening" is actually difficulty processing language. A speech evaluation can help sort out what's going on.

5. Regression or Plateau in Skills

If your child was saying words and then stopped, or if progress has stalled for several months, that's worth noting. Some regression around age 2 can be normal (especially during big developmental leaps), but significant or prolonged loss of words should be discussed with a professional.

The Bottom Line

Some toddlers are late talkers who catch up just fine. Others benefit from a little extra support. The tricky part is that it's hard to tell which is which without professional input. If you're wondering, it's always okay to ask.

The worst case? You get reassurance that everything is on track. The best case? You catch something early and give your child a head start.