top of page
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

My Toddler Isn't Talking: Do They Need Speech Therapy?

  • Sep 17, 2025
  • 2 min read

If you're asking "Is my toddler's speech on track?" or "Does my toddler need speech therapy?", you're not alone. Navigating a toddler's communication development can be confusing, but knowing the signs of a speech delay is the first step to finding the right support.




Is My Toddler's Speech on Track? Signs of a Speech Delay


Every toddler develops at their own pace, but there are key milestones that can signal when it’s time to seek a speech therapy evaluation.


By Age 2:

  • Uses fewer than 50 words.

  • Doesn’t combine two words (e.g., "more juice").

  • It is difficult to understand, even for family members.


By Age 3:

  • Is unable to form simple sentences.

  • Is difficult to understand by people outside the immediate family (a toddler should be about 75% understood by age 3).

  • Shows frequent frustration when trying to communicate.


If your toddler shows these signs, or if you have a gut feeling that something is off, getting an expert opinion is always a good idea.



The Speech Therapy Evaluation Process


The first step in toddler speech therapy is an evaluation by a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP). The process is often play-based, where the SLP observes how your toddler plays and communicates to assess their receptive (what they understand) and expressive (what they can say) language skills. After the evaluation, the SLP will discuss their findings and recommend a personalized plan if needed.


How to Find Toddler Speech Therapy in California


There are several ways to find a qualified speech-language pathologist for your toddler in California:

  1. Start with Your Pediatrician: Your doctor can provide a referral to an SLP and help you navigate insurance coverage.

  2. Contact Your Local Regional Center: California's Early Start program provides early intervention services for toddlers with developmental delays. You can get a free evaluation by calling the Early Start BabyLine at (800) 515-BABY (2229).

  3. Search Professional Directories: Use resources like the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA) or the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to find a licensed SLP near you.

  4. Embrace Therapeutic: This organization provides bilingual (Spanish-English), play-based, and neurodiversity-affirming speech therapy for children.


Sources:

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page