Non-Verbal
What a delay in spoken words means for your toddler
A delay in spoken words means your toddler is reaching talking milestones later than most peers — but it does not mean they cannot communicate; many connect through gestures, pointing and play. Watch for few or no words by 18–24 months, no two-word phrases by two years, little pointing or response to name, or loss of skills. This is a reason for an early, gentle developmental and hearing check, not a diagnosis — and early speech support works beautifully at this age.
If your toddler is not yet talking, taking a closer, loving look now is one of the kindest things you can do — and there is so much you can do to help.
In short
A delay in spoken words means your child is reaching the talking milestones later than most children their age — for example, fewer than expected words by 18–24 months, or not joining two words by around two years. A toddler being non-verbal does not mean they cannot or will not communicate; many connect beautifully through gestures, eye contact, pointing and play, and respond wonderfully to early support. It is a reason for a gentle developmental check, not a diagnosis — and at this age, early speech support works remarkably well.What to watch at 12–36 months
Communication is about far more than words. Encouraging signs that a clinician's eye is wise now include:- Few or no words — fewer than a handful of words by 18 months, or fewer than around 50 words and no two-word phrases by 24 months.
- Little non-verbal communication — not pointing to show you things, not waving, not using gestures to ask or share.
- Limited response — not turning to their name, or not following a simple instruction like "give me the ball".
- Little back-and-forth — few shared smiles, limited eye contact, or not bringing toys to show you.
- Loss of a skill — words or babble that were there and then faded.
Look at the whole picture — a child who points, gestures, understands you and stays socially connected is communicating well even before words arrive. The aim is opportunity, not alarm.
The science
Understanding (receptive language) usually grows before talking (expressive language). Early years are a window of rich brain growth, so support started early tends to bring the strongest gains. A speech-language assessment also checks hearing, since even mild hearing loss can quietly delay words.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our team builds a warm picture of how your non-verbal toddler communicates today, then shapes playful speech therapy around their strengths.Trusted sources
ASHA (asha.org) guidance on toddler communication milestones and late talkers; CDC "Learn the Signs, Act Early" developmental milestones; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) on early language and hearing checks.Next step — Trust what you've noticed. Book a developmental assessment for a calm, clear review of how your child communicates.
What to watch
Seek a developmental and hearing check if your child has few or no words by 18 months, fewer than ~50 words and no two-word phrases by 24 months, does not point or use gestures, does not respond to their name, shows little shared eye contact or smiling, or has lost words or babble they once had.
Try this at home
Narrate your day in short, clear words — name objects, pause, and wait expectantly for any sound, gesture or look back. Following your child's lead in play and rewarding every attempt to communicate builds language faster than pressing them to 'say it'.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 540 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
Does being non-verbal mean my toddler has autism?
Not at all — a speech delay can have many causes, including hearing differences, a 'late talker' pattern, or simply needing more support. Autism is only one possibility and is never decided from words alone. A clinician looks at the whole picture of how your child connects, gestures and understands before any conclusion.
How many words should my child have at two years?
As a gentle guide, many children have around 50 words and start joining two words (like 'more milk') by 24 months. Children vary widely, so it is the overall pattern — words, understanding, pointing and connection — that matters more than an exact count.
Should we wait and see if words come on their own?
Understanding develops before talking, and early support works best, so a gentle check now is wiser than waiting. It costs nothing to look early, and a clinician can reassure you or start playful support straight away.