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Communication
Explore explanations, everyday questions and next steps connected with communication.
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Signs & concerns
Not Babbling at 12 Months
By 12 months most babies babble with varied sounds and tones. If yours isn't, it is worth checking — not panicking. The first step is usually a hearing check, since hearing and babbling are closely linked. A clinician can confirm whether your child simply needs time or would benefit from early support.
Read the answer AnswerNo Words at 12 Months
At 12 months many children are only just starting their first words, and not yet talking is usually within the typical range. What matters more is whether your baby babbles, points, responds to their name and makes eye contact. A developmental check is worth it if babbling and gestures are absent — for reassurance, never a verdict.
Read the answer AnswerNot Responding to Name at 15 Months
At 15 months, inconsistent response to name is common and usually not alarming, especially if your child shares looks, points and reacts to other sounds. The first step is a hearing check. If the pattern persists alongside limited pointing or shared attention, a gentle developmental review brings clarity. Only a clinician can assess — never an online checklist.
Read the answer AnswerNot babbling at 15 months — should I be worried?
At 15 months babbling does matter, so a quiet child is worth a prompt, gentle check — starting with hearing. Look at the whole picture: sounds, pointing, responding to name and reacting to sound. This is not a diagnosis, and early support at this age is play-based and effective. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle centre.
Read the answer AnswerNot Talking at 15 Months
At 15 months, no clear words yet is often within the normal range — first words commonly appear between 12 and 18 months. What matters most is whether your child is communicating in other ways: babbling, pointing, gesturing, responding to their name and understanding simple requests. If those are present, there is good reason for reassurance; a simple developmental check gives certainty.
Read the answer AnswerNot following instructions at 18 months
At 18 months, following only simple one-step instructions — and only sometimes — is normal, and toddlers are famously selective listeners. Watch the overall pattern of understanding and gestures rather than any single moment. Check in if your child doesn't respond to their name, uses no gestures, or seems not to understand everyday words; a hearing check is a sensible first step. Reassurance, not worry, is the right starting place.
Read the answer AnswerNot Responding to Name at 18 Months
Not responding to their name every time at 18 months is not, on its own, alarming — toddlers absorbed in play often tune out. What matters is the whole pattern: eye contact, pointing, babbling and at least some name response. Always check hearing first. If name response is consistently absent alongside limited eye contact or gestures, a developmental check is the wise next step. Only a Pinnacle clinician can assess.
Read the answer AnswerNot Babbling at 18 Months — Should I Worry?
At 18 months most children babble freely and use a few words, so no babbling at all is worth checking — starting with hearing — rather than panicking over. A late but socially connected, gesturing child may simply need a nudge; absence of babbling alongside no pointing or response to name is a clearer flag. Early support brings strong progress, and only a Pinnacle clinician can assess and guide.
Read the answer AnswerMy 18-month-old isn't talking yet — should I worry?
At 18 months a wide range is normal, and a single late-talking phase often resolves. What reassures most is understanding, pointing, eye contact and copying sounds — not word count alone. If understanding and connection seem limited, or you have any hearing concern, a clinician-administered developmental check is the calm next step. Only a Pinnacle clinician can establish an AbilityScore® or diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerFew words at 18 months — should I be worried?
At 18 months, a few words can be within the normal range — understanding, pointing and babbling matter as much as word count. If your toddler understands well and slowly gains words, keep talking and reading. A simple developmental check brings clarity; only a Pinnacle clinician forms an AbilityScore® or any diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerNot Following Instructions at 2.5 Years — Should I Worry?
At 2.5 years most children follow a simple one-step instruction. Occasional non-response is normal; a persistent pattern is a reason to check — starting with hearing — not to panic. A clinician-administered assessment gives clarity and, if needed, an early, play-based start.
Read the answer AnswerMy 2.5-Year-Old Doesn't Respond to Their Name — Should I Worry?
A 2.5-year-old who consistently doesn't respond to their name deserves a calm closer look. Rule out hearing first, then notice eye contact, pointing, words and play. A persistent pattern is a reason to book an early developmental check — not to panic. Only a Pinnacle clinician can assess and form an AbilityScore®.
Read the answer AnswerNot combining words at 2y6m
Many children combine two words by 2.5 years, so not doing so yet is worth a closer look — but it is not a diagnosis. Some are simply later talkers; others benefit from early speech support. A structured clinician check now gives clarity and, if needed, an early start. Only a Pinnacle clinician can establish an AbilityScore® or any diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerNo Words at 2y6m — Should I Be Worried?
At 2.5 years most children use 50+ words and start joining two together, so no words at all is outside the typical range and worth checking now — not panicking over. Look at understanding, gestures and hearing too. An early developmental and hearing check, including a clinician-administered AbilityScore® at a Pinnacle centre, gives clear answers while time is on your side.
Read the answer AnswerFew Words at 2 Years 6 Months
At 2½, most children use 50+ words and join two together. Using only a few words is worth a gentle, clinician-led check — including a hearing test — but it is not a diagnosis. Many children catch up well, and early speech support is play-based and effective. Only a Pinnacle clinician can establish an AbilityScore® or any diagnosis.
Read the answer AnswerUnclear speech at 2y6m
At 2.5 years, being understood only about half the time by strangers is normal — clarity keeps developing to age 4. If your child uses words, joins them and tries to communicate, that's reassuring. A friendly check is worth it if almost no one understands them, words are very few, or they've stopped talking. Only a Pinnacle clinician can assess.
Read the answer Answer2-Year-Old Behind in Communication
A communication gap at age two is a common and very treatable reason families seek help. Some children are simply later talkers; others benefit from early speech and language support. By around 24 months many toddlers use roughly 50 words, start two-word phrases, point to share, and follow simple instructions. Seek a developmental check now — not a long wait — if your child has very few words, isn't combining words, doesn't point, or has lost language once had. This is not a diagnosis; it is gathering a clear picture, and early help works best.
Read the answer Answer2-Year-Old Not Following Instructions
At two, not always following simple instructions is common and usually not worrying — toddlers understand more than they obey. What matters is some understanding of everyday words, responding to their name, and pointing to share. A clinician can reassure you and rule out hearing concerns; any AbilityScore or diagnosis is formed only at a Pinnacle centre.
Read the answer AnswerNot responding to name at 2 — should I be worried?
Not responding to name at 2 is worth checking but is not a diagnosis. Rule out hearing first, then look at the wider pattern — pointing, eye contact, words. A consistent lack of response with few social-communication signs deserves a calm developmental check, where early support works best.
Read the answer AnswerNot Combining Words at 2 Years
Many toddlers start combining two words between 18 and 24 months, but variation is normal. Not yet pairing words at two is a reason to check — starting with hearing — not to panic. Look at the whole communication picture: understanding, gestures and growing vocabulary. A clinical AbilityScore and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle centre.
Read the answer AnswerNot Talking at 2 Years
Most 2-year-olds use around 50 words and join two together; using no words yet warrants a prompt, gentle developmental check and a hearing test. Strong understanding and gesturing are reassuring, and early support is highly effective. Only a Pinnacle clinician can establish an AbilityScore® or diagnosis.
Read the answer Answer2-Year-Old Says Few Words: Should I Worry?
Most 2-year-olds say around 50 words and begin joining two together. A few words is worth a gentle check, but it is not a diagnosis — many late talkers catch up. What matters most is whether your child understands you and communicates with gestures. A simple developmental check brings clarity.
Read the answer AnswerNot following instructions at 3y6m
At 3.5 years most children follow simple two-step instructions, but many still need repetition or gestures — which is normal. Watch the whole picture: hearing, understanding, attention and play. A consistent pattern of not understanding everyday requests is a good reason for a friendly developmental and hearing check, never a diagnosis on its own.
Read the answer AnswerNot combining words at 3y6m — should I be worried?
By 3.5 years most children use short sentences, so a child still on single words is past the typical window — worth a developmental and hearing check, not panic. Many causes (including glue ear or a late-talking pattern) respond well to early support. Only a Pinnacle clinician can establish a clinical AbilityScore or any diagnosis.
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