Expressive Language Delays, Late Talkers...

Let's talk about expressive language delays, late talkers, late bloomers, and language explosion.

Which statement is true about language development? A. toddlers should have 50 words by 24 months B. Toddlers can go from saying a few words to a bunch of words and phrases seemingly overnight C. Toddlers who are late talkers are demonstrating expressive language delays D. All of the above

If you said D, you, my friend, are correct! Speech and language development isn’t always linear. Today, we are diving into some of the lesser-talked-about aspects of expressive language development. I’ll be honest; I definitely geeked out when researching these topics!

According to the American Speech and Hearing Association, ASHA, when a person has difficulties expressing their thoughts, feelings, or ideas- they are experiencing an expressive language disorder.

In toddlers and children, expressive language disorders look like children having difficulty with asking questions, naming objects, using gestures, putting words together into sentences, learning songs and rhymes

Sometimes, expressive language delays may result from traumatic experiences or other disorders. Most times, however, the cause of expressive language delay is unknown. It’s important to take a comprehensive medical history and ask parents/caregivers if there is a family history of language delay

Late Talkers may be diagnosed with expressive language delays. These toddlers develop language at a slower rate than their peers. A distinctive characteristic of late talkers is that “they just aren’t talking.” There are no other diagnosed cognitive delays, motor development delays, or disabilities. These toddlers will have expressive language delays, less than 50 words at 2 years old, and no word combinations.

• Several factors contribute to late talking:
• Children with a family history of late talkers are twice as likely to be late talkers themselves.
• Boys are 3x more likely to be late talkers
• Children born earlier than 37 weeks or weigh less than optimum birth weight may experience later language emergence
• Children with siblings are twice as likely to be late talkers than an only child

Late bloomers are late talkers who catch up to their peers.

Language explosions—otherwise known as language bursts or vocabulary explosions—occur between 16 and 24 months in typical development. When a toddler experiences a language explosion, their vocabulary and expressions rapidly develop through fast mapping.

Fast mapping occurs when a toddler hears a new word and immediately applies meaning to the word.

Why does language explosion occur? When they first begin to acquire language, toddlers learn words at one at a time through multiple repetitions and multiple exposures. As development continues and toddlers build their solid vocabulary foundation, they can process language much quicker and learn multiple words at varying levels of complexity.

Language explosions can be encouraged, but you won’t force a toddler to start using complex language. You won’t be able to force a toddler to talk, period. Toddlers with language and communication delays may eventually experience an explosion in their language development—aka, their communication takes off—but it may not be until much later in their development.

Want a handout to help you remember all of this information? I’ve got you, friend! Check out my SLP Early Intervention and Speech Therapy for Toddlers handbook. This handbook includes 4 chapters on toddler development, including prelinguistic skills, methods of communication, language development, and literacy development [with much more to come!]\

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