{"h1":"When to worry about speech and language delay at 18–24 months","faq":[{"a":"Most 18-month-olds use roughly 10–20 words and point to show you things, though the range is wide and varies child to child. Far more important than an exact count is whether your toddler is steadily adding words, understands simple instructions, and uses gestures to communicate. If words are very few or have stopped appearing, a gentle screen is worthwhile.","q":"How many words should an 18-month-old have?"},{"a":"Good understanding is a reassuring sign, and many late talkers who comprehend well do catch up. Even so, if your 24-month-old isn't yet trying to combine two words or using around 50 words, a short screen gives clarity and peace of mind — it's far better than waiting and wondering.","q":"My 2-year-old understands everything but barely talks — should I worry?"},{"a":"Yes — hearing is the very first thing to check when speech is delayed, because even mild or fluctuating hearing loss (often from glue ear) can quietly hold language back. A hearing review is a standard, painless first step before any other conclusions are drawn.","q":"Could a hearing problem be the cause?"},{"a":"Not at all. The first three years are when the brain wires for language fastest, so early support is gentle, play-based and highly effective. Starting early is never ‘too soon’ — it simply gives your child a helping hand at the best possible moment.","q":"Is it too early to start speech therapy at this age?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-i-worry-that-my-18-to-24-month-old-might-have-speech-and-language-delay","title":"When should I worry about speech and language delay at 18–24 months?","entity":{"key":"speech-delay","kind":"condition","name":"Speech and Language Delay","slug":"speech-language-delay"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent / Family","value":"parent"},{"kind":"age","label":"Toddler-18-24","value":"toddler-18-24"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Communication","value":"communication"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Concern","value":"concern"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Speech-Therapy","value":"speech-therapy"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"},{"kind":"condition","label":"Speech and Language Delay","value":"speech-delay"},{"kind":"icd11","label":"6A01 · Developmental speech or language disorders","value":"6A01"},{"kind":"language","label":"English","value":"en"},{"kind":"sdg","label":"SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities","value":"10"},{"kind":"sdg","label":"SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being","value":"3"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"ASHA / PHC / Frontline","value":"asha_phc"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Doctor / Pediatrician","value":"doctor"}],"parent":{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-i-worry-that-my-9-to-12-month-old-might-have-speech-and-language-delay","title":"When should I worry about speech delay at 9–12 months?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-i-worry-that-my-12-to-18-month-old-might-have-speech-and-language-delay","title":"When should I worry about speech delay at 12–18 months?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-i-worry-that-my-2-year-old-might-have-speech-and-language-delay","title":"When should I worry that my 2-year-old might have Speech and Language Delay?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-speech-and-language-delay-in-a-12-to-18-month-old","title":"Early Signs of Speech & Language Delay (12–18 Months)"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-i-worry-that-my-18-to-24-month-old-might-have-non-verbal-minimally-verbal-presentation","title":"When should I worry about few words at 18–24 months?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-i-worry-that-my-18-to-24-month-old-might-have-developmental-language-disorder","title":"When to worry about DLD at 18–24 months"}],"summary":"Between 18 and 24 months there's a wide normal range, but very few words, no pointing or gestures, not understanding simple instructions, or losing words are worth a gentle check. A single quiet phase often resolves; a persistent pattern is the real flag. A screen brings clarity — only a clinician can confirm anything.","answer_md":"*If the words you were waiting for haven't arrived yet, that worry is real — and it's a kind, wise reason to check.*\n\n## In short\nBetween 18 and 24 months there's a wide, normal range — but a few patterns are worth a gentle look. By **18 months**, most toddlers use around 10–20 words and point to show you things. By **24 months**, many use 50+ words and are beginning to join two words (\"more milk\", \"daddy go\"). One quiet phase is common and often resolves; a *persistent* pattern is the real flag, and the kindest response is simply to check — not to panic.\n\n## What to watch by this age\nConsider a [speech and language](/speech-language-delay) screen if, by around 18–24 months, your child:\n\n- uses **very few or no words**, or has stopped using words they once had\n- **doesn't point** or use gestures to share interest or ask for things\n- **doesn't seem to understand** simple instructions (\"give me the cup\")\n- isn't combining **two words** by 24 months\n- makes little eye contact or rarely tries to get your attention to communicate\n\nLosing skills, or never responding to sound, deserves a prompt check — including a hearing review, since hearing is the first thing to rule out.\n\n## The science, briefly\nThe WHO classifies developmental speech and language difficulties under **ICD-11 6A01**. The first three years are a period of rapid brain wiring for language, which is exactly why early support works so well — and why a brief screen now is far better than \"wait and see\". Many late talkers catch up; a screen simply tells you which children need a helping hand, and gives that hand early.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nNo diagnosis or clinical AbilityScore® is ever made from an online form — it is formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care, as a structured clinician-administered assessment measuring your child against their *own* baseline. Our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) team looks for other causes first, then gives you clarity and a plan — not a label. Learn how the [AbilityScore® is calculated](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated).\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICD-11 (6A01); CDC \"Learn the Signs. Act Early.\" milestones; Indian Academy of Pediatrics; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org); RBSK developmental screening.\n\n**Next step —** The kindest thing you can do with worry is check. [Book a speech and language screen](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) with a Pinnacle speech-language pathologist.\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-18-to-24-month-old-might-have-speech-and-language-delay","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-18-to-24-month-old-might-have-speech-and-language-delay","lang":"en","indexable":true},{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-18-to-24-month-old-might-have-speech-and-language-delay-te","lang":"te","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"Speech Delay at 18–24 Months: When to Worry","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Narrate your day and leave gaps for your toddler to fill: \"We're putting on your…?\" Pause, wait, and warmly celebrate any attempt — a sound, a point or a word. Ten minutes of this back-and-forth daily is gentle, powerful language practice.","published_at":"2026-06-10T09:06:00.101053+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-speech-and-language-delay-affect-a-child-s-daily-life","title":"How Speech and Language Delay Affects Daily Life","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-speech-and-language-delay-considered-a-disability","title":"Is Speech and Language Delay considered a disability?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-speech-and-language-delay-genetic-or-hereditary","title":"Is Speech and Language Delay Genetic or Hereditary?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-common-myths-about-speech-and-language-delay","title":"What are common myths about Speech and Language Delay?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-speech-and-language-delay","title":"What are the types or levels of Speech and Language Delay?","reason":"Same 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Delay: What to Do Next","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-with-speech-and-language-delay-has-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-what-should-we-do-next","title":"AbilityScore 500–600 for Speech and Language Delay — next steps","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Explore therapy & support","total":62}],"what_to_watch":"Seek a screen sooner if your child loses words they once used, never responds to sound or their name, doesn't point or gesture by 18 months, or shows real frustration when trying to make themselves understood. A hearing check is always the first step.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://icd.who.int/browse11","code":"6A01","label":"WHO ICD-11 · Developmental speech or language disorders"},{"url":"https://www.cdc.gov/child-development","label":"CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early. (milestones)"},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org","label":"American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T09:06:00.101053+00:00","meta_description":"Worried about your 18–24-month-old's talking? Gentle signs to watch, what's normal, and when a speech and language screen helps. Warm, clinician-guided.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}