My child is not talking yet: when to seek an assessment
Written by the Brighters team · Clinically reviewed by Kannika Bharath Iyengar, Clinical Lead & Assessment Specialist
6 min read · Published 22 October 2026 · Last reviewed 23 October 2026
Other children in the park are chattering, and yours is quiet. Relatives say, "He will talk when he is ready," and you want to believe them, but a small voice in your head keeps asking whether you should do something. That voice is worth listening to. This guide explains what most children do by the age of two, which signs call for a closer look, and what to do next, so that you can decide calmly.
What most children do by age 2
The CDC's milestone checklist for 2-year-olds, revised in 2022, includes these language and communication skills. By about two years, most children:
- say at least two words together, such as "more milk"
- point to pictures in a book when asked, for example "Where is the bear?"
- point to at least two body parts when asked
- use gestures beyond waving and pointing, such as blowing a kiss or nodding yes
Milestones are a guide, not a deadline. Children develop at their own pace, and missing one does not by itself mean there is a problem. But a child who is behind on several, or who is not making progress, deserves a closer look.
Earlier signs worth raising
Talking begins long before first words. These are signs worth discussing with your paediatrician:
- no babbling or cooing by 12 months
- no gestures, such as waving or pointing, and no words by 12 months
- no single words by 16 months
- no two-word phrases by 24 months
- any loss of words or skills the child once had
Language is more than words. Whether your child understands what you say, uses gestures, shows you things and enjoys going back and forth with you matters as much as how many words they say.
Why some children talk late
There is no single reason. A child may be slow to talk because of a hearing difficulty, a specific language delay or disorder, a wider developmental delay, autism, or because they are simply on the slower side of normal. Only an assessment can tell these apart.
Hearing is usually the first thing to check. A child who cannot hear well will find it hard to learn words, and a hearing test is a simple step that can be taken before anything else.
If your child is learning more than one language
Growing up with two or more languages, as many Indian children do, does not cause a language delay. A bilingual child may say fewer words in each language, so clinicians count words across all the languages your child uses. If you are worried, please do not blame the languages at home, and do not stop using the language you speak best with your child.
When to act
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental screening for all children at 9, 18 and 30 months, and autism screening at 18 and 24 months. If your child is not meeting milestones, has lost skills, or you simply have a concern, you can ask your paediatrician about screening at any time.
Waiting to see if a child grows out of it can cost valuable time. If you are still worried after a check-up, ask for a referral to a specialist, such as a speech-language therapist, an audiologist or a developmental paediatrician, and look for early intervention services near you. If your child has lost words or skills they once had, our article on regression explains why that needs a doctor's attention soon.
What you can do at home in the meantime
While you arrange a check-up, a few simple habits help every child. Talk about what you are doing as you do it, in short, simple sentences. Read picture books together every day and let your child point to and name things. Pause and give your child time to answer, and treat their sounds and gestures as part of the conversation. Offer choices, such as "banana or biscuit?", and wait for a look, a point or a word. Play face-to-face games like peek-a-boo, singing and copying each other.
These habits will not do any harm, and they help. But they do not replace an assessment or therapy if your child needs one.
What an assessment looks at
A speech-language therapist looks at how your child understands and uses language. A wider developmental assessment looks at the other skills that go with it: social communication, play, daily living and movement. This helps show whether the delay is limited to speech or is part of a wider picture.
Brighters assessments do not include hearing tests or speech therapy. They can help you understand your child's strengths and support needs across communication, daily living and socialisation, and, where relevant, whether autism or ADHD is indicated. Your clinician will tell you if another assessment, such as a hearing test, is needed first.
Frequently asked questions
My 2-year-old is not talking. Should I wait?
It is better not to wait if you are worried. Ask your paediatrician for a developmental check and a hearing test. If your child has not yet said single words by 16 months, or two-word phrases by 24 months, that is a clear reason to ask.
Does speaking two languages cause a delay?
No. Learning more than one language does not cause a language delay. Clinicians count words in all of your child's languages.
Does a speech delay mean my child has autism?
Not necessarily. Many children with a speech delay do not have autism, and it can have other causes such as hearing difficulties. An assessment looks at communication, play and behaviour together to find out.
Who should I see first?
Usually your paediatrician, who can arrange a hearing test and refer you to a speech-language therapist or a developmental specialist.
This article is general information for parents. It is not medical advice or a diagnosis, and it does not replace an assessment by a qualified professional. If you are worried about your child, speak to your child’s doctor.