My 18-month-old isn't talking. Should I worry?

At 18 months most children try to say three or more words beyond "mama" and "dada" and follow a one-step direction without gestures. No words by 16 to 18 months is a red flag worth acting on. If your child also understands you, points, and gains new words every few weeks, they may be a late bloomer, but an evaluation is the only way to be sure. It is free for children under three, and you do not need a doctor's referral.

How many words should a 2-year-old say?

By age two, children typically use and understand at least 50 different words and put two words together, such as "more milk" or "go outside." The two-word combination matters more than the exact count, because it shows your child is starting to build grammar. No two-word phrases by 24 months is a sign to request an evaluation.

What is the difference between a late talker and a speech delay?

A late talker is usually behind on producing words (expressive language) but understands well, points and gestures, and slowly adds new words. A child with a delay that needs help is often behind on both understanding (receptive) and talking, has stalled, or has lost skills they once had. Understanding is the key signal. Because you cannot reliably sort this out at home, an evaluation is how you find out.

Should I wait to see if my child catches up before getting help?

No. Public guidance is not to wait and see when milestones are missed. The earlier a delay is identified, the more early intervention can help. For a child under three, you can contact your state's early intervention program yourself for a free evaluation without a referral or diagnosis. If a doctor tells you not to worry but you remain concerned, it is reasonable to get a second opinion.

Does being bilingual cause a speech delay?

No. Growing up with more than one language does not cause language delays. Bilingual children may mix languages and their total vocabulary is spread across both, but they reach communication milestones on a typical timeline. Keep using all of your family's languages. If your child is behind on milestones in every language they hear, that is a reason to seek an evaluation, the same as for any child.

When should a child's speech be understandable to strangers?

Speech clarity develops gradually. At two to three years, speech is becoming clearer but may not be understandable to people who do not know your child. By age four, most of what your child says should be understandable to others, though some later sounds like r, l, and th can still be developing. If by four people who do not know your child cannot understand most of what they say, ask the doctor about an evaluation.

Speech · 12–48 mo

Speech Milestones and Late Talkers: When to Worry

My 18-month-old barely says any words. Is this normal, or should I get help now?

Children build language on different timelines, and many quiet toddlers catch up. A few do not. This page gives the by-age milestones and the specific signs that mean you should ask for an evaluation instead of waiting.

7 min read Speech Updated June 2026

Reviewed against current AAP and CDC guidance

Two kinds of language, tracked separately

Language has two halves. Receptive language is what your child understands: following directions, pointing to named objects, responding to their name. Expressive language is what they produce: words, gestures, and phrases. A child who understands well but talks little is in a different situation than a child who is behind on both. Track both halves. When deciding whether to worry, what your child understands matters as much as what they say.

Language milestones, 12 to 48 months

Age	Understands (receptive)	Says and does (expressive)	Speech clarity
12 months	Understands "no" (pauses or stops); plays games like pat-a-cake	Waves bye-bye; calls a parent "mama" or "dada" or another special name	Babbling with varied sounds
18 months	Follows a one-step direction without any gestures (gives you the toy when you say "Give it to me")	Tries to say three or more words besides "mama" or "dada"	Single words, often unclear
2 years	Points to a named picture in a book; points to at least two body parts; follows a two-step direction (ASHA)	Uses and understands at least 50 different words (ASHA); puts two or more words together, like "more milk"; uses gestures beyond waving and pointing	Familiar adults understand much of it
2 to 3 years	Answers simple questions like "What do you do when you are sleepy?"	Says their name when asked; uses -ing verbs and -ed for the past, like "eating" and "played"	Becoming clearer, but may not be understandable to unfamiliar listeners
3 to 4 years	Understands location words like in, on, and under; follows a story from a book or video	Tells you a story from a book or a video; uses longer sentences	By age 4, people can understand most of what your child says

What each age usually looks like

12 months

Babbles with changing sounds, as if talking.
Uses a few gestures: waving, reaching, showing you things.
Calls a parent "mama" or "dada" and responds to their own name.
May have one or two true words.

One clear word is common at a year. Gestures and understanding matter more right now than word count.

18 months

Tries to say three or more words besides "mama" and "dada."
Follows a one-step direction without you pointing or gesturing.
Points to show you things they want or find interesting.
Many words are unclear, and that is expected.

Word counts at 18 months range widely. A child who understands you, points, and is gaining new words every few weeks is usually progressing, even if speech is hard to understand.

2 years

Uses and understands at least 50 different words.
Puts two words together, like "more milk" or "go outside."
Points to named pictures and at least two body parts.
Familiar adults understand a good share of what they say.

Two-word combinations are the milestone that matters most at this age. They show your child is building grammar, not just collecting words.

3 years

Speaks in short sentences and asks "why" and "how."
Says their own name when asked.
Uses -ing and past-tense -ed, like "running" and "looked."
Strangers understand much of it, though not always all.

At three, speech is becoming clearer but may still confuse people who do not know your child. That alone is not a delay.

4 years

Tells a short story from a book or a video.
Uses longer sentences and connects ideas.
People outside the family understand most of what they say.
Some later sounds, like r, l, and th, are still developing.

By four, the test shifts from word count to being understood. Most of your child's speech should make sense to people who do not know them.

Red flags: ask for an evaluation, do not wait and see

No babbling with varied sounds by 12 months.
No gestures like waving or pointing by 12 months.
No words by 16 to 18 months.
Fewer than three words besides "mama" or "dada" at 18 months.
No two-word phrases by 24 months.
Loss of any speech, language, or social skill your child once had, at any age.
Does not respond to their name.
Little eye contact, pointing, or interest in sharing things with you.
Does not follow simple directions and seems not to understand much of what you say.

Late bloomer or delay: how to tell them apart

Understanding is on track: your child follows directions and points to named things, even if they talk little. This points toward a late bloomer.
Words are slowly increasing every few weeks, not stalled or going backward.
Your child communicates through gestures, eye contact, and shared attention.
Both understanding and talking are behind, or skills are being lost: this points toward a delay that needs evaluation.
You cannot reliably sort this out at home. An evaluation is how you find out, and it is free for children under three.

How to get a free early intervention evaluation

For a child younger than three, contact your state's early intervention system and request a free evaluation, sometimes called a Child Find evaluation. You do not need a doctor's referral or a diagnosis to make this call. For a child three or older, contact any local public elementary school and ask to have your child evaluated for preschool special education services. You can do both while also talking to your pediatrician. The earlier a delay is found, the more an evaluation and any therapy can help. If your doctor says to wait and your child will catch up, but you remain concerned, it is reasonable to get a second opinion.

Day-to-day ways to build language

Narrate what you do as you do it, naming objects and actions. Read picture books daily and ask your child to point to things. Expand on what your child says: if they say "dog," you say "big dog." Give two-step directions during routines, like "Get your shoes and bring them here." Pause after you speak to leave room for a response, and respond to gestures and sounds as if they are conversation. If your family speaks more than one language, keep using all of them; this does not cause delays. A hearing check is worth requesting if speech is behind, since hearing loss is a common and treatable cause.

Quick answers

My 18-month-old isn't talking. Should I worry?: At 18 months most children try to say three or more words beyond "mama" and "dada" and follow a one-step direction without gestures. No words by 16 to 18 months is a red flag worth acting on. If your child also understands you, points, and gains new words every few weeks, they may be a late bloomer, but an evaluation is the only way to be sure. It is free for children under three, and you do not need a doctor's referral.
How many words should a 2-year-old say?: By age two, children typically use and understand at least 50 different words and put two words together, such as "more milk" or "go outside." The two-word combination matters more than the exact count, because it shows your child is starting to build grammar. No two-word phrases by 24 months is a sign to request an evaluation.
What is the difference between a late talker and a speech delay?: A late talker is usually behind on producing words (expressive language) but understands well, points and gestures, and slowly adds new words. A child with a delay that needs help is often behind on both understanding (receptive) and talking, has stalled, or has lost skills they once had. Understanding is the key signal. Because you cannot reliably sort this out at home, an evaluation is how you find out.
Should I wait to see if my child catches up before getting help?: No. Public guidance is not to wait and see when milestones are missed. The earlier a delay is identified, the more early intervention can help. For a child under three, you can contact your state's early intervention program yourself for a free evaluation without a referral or diagnosis. If a doctor tells you not to worry but you remain concerned, it is reasonable to get a second opinion.
Does being bilingual cause a speech delay?: No. Growing up with more than one language does not cause language delays. Bilingual children may mix languages and their total vocabulary is spread across both, but they reach communication milestones on a typical timeline. Keep using all of your family's languages. If your child is behind on milestones in every language they hear, that is a reason to seek an evaluation, the same as for any child.
When should a child's speech be understandable to strangers?: Speech clarity develops gradually. At two to three years, speech is becoming clearer but may not be understandable to people who do not know your child. By age four, most of what your child says should be understandable to others, though some later sounds like r, l, and th can still be developing. If by four people who do not know your child cannot understand most of what they say, ask the doctor about an evaluation.

Sources & further reading

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This guide reflects current AAP and CDC guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.