When a Child Isn’t Talking Yet
Understanding Pre-Verbal Development & When to Seek Support
It’s one of the most common concerns we hear from parents:
“My child isn’t talking yet… should I be worried?”
The short answer is - sometimes yes, sometimes no. But the most important thing is this:
Early support makes a real difference.
At Lycali, we often meet families who weren’t sure whether to “wait it out” or seek advice. This blog will help you understand what’s typical, what to look out for, and when it’s time to seek support.
What Does “Pre-Verbal” Mean?
A pre-verbal child is a child who is not yet using spoken words meaningfully to communicate.
This doesn’t mean they aren’t communicating.
Many pre-verbal children:
Use gestures (pointing, reaching)
Make sounds or babble
Use facial expressions
Lead adults to what they want
Communication starts long before speech.
Typical Early Communication Milestones (as a guide)
Every child develops differently, but here’s a rough guide:
By 12 months:
Responds to their name
Uses gestures (e.g. pointing, waving)
Makes a variety of sounds
By 18 months:
Says a few words (e.g. “mama”, “ball”)
Understands simple instructions
Points to show interest
By 2 years:
Uses around 50+ words
Starting to combine words (e.g. “more juice”)
Follows simple instructions
🚩 Clear Indicators to Seek Support
If you’re unsure, these are some key signs that it may be helpful to seek a speech and language assessment:
1. Limited or No Babbling (by 9–12 months)
Very quiet baby
Not experimenting with sounds
Limited back-and-forth vocal interaction
2. Not Responding to Name (by 12 months)
Doesn’t turn when called
Appears unaware of voices
3. Lack of Gestures (by 12–15 months)
Not pointing, waving, or showing
Doesn’t try to share interest
4. No Words (by 18 months)
Not using any clear words
May rely only on sounds or crying
5. Limited Understanding (by 18–24 months)
Doesn’t follow simple instructions (e.g. “give me the ball”)
Appears not to understand everyday language
6. Regression at Any Age
🚨 This is always important
Loss of words or sounds previously used
Reduced interaction or engagement
7. Frustration or Behaviour Linked to Communication
Frequent meltdowns when trying to communicate
Pulling adults or crying instead of signalling needs
8. Limited Eye Contact or Interaction
Not engaging in back-and-forth interaction
Prefers objects over people
9. Not Imitating Sounds or Actions
Doesn’t copy clapping, waving, or simple sounds
Limited attempt to learn through imitation
“Should I Wait or Act?”
This is where many parents feel stuck.
You may hear:
“They’ll talk when they’re ready”
“Boys talk later”
“Give it time”
While this can be true for some children…
Waiting without monitoring can delay support that could really help.
Research consistently shows that:
Early intervention improves communication outcomes
It can reduce frustration and behavioural difficulties
It supports social and emotional development
What Support Might Look Like
At Lycali, support is always tailored to your child, but may include:
🧠 Understanding your child’s communication profile
🗣️ Strategies to encourage speech and interaction
👨👩👧 Parent coaching (this is key as you are the biggest influence)
🎯 Play-based interventions
📈 Tracking progress over time
A Reassuring Note for Parents
If you’re reading this and feeling worried — that’s completely understandable.
But here’s the important part:
👉 Seeking support doesn’t mean something is “wrong.”
👉 It means you’re being proactive.
Some children simply need a bit more support to find their voice.
When to Reach Out
If your child:
Is not using words by 18 months
Has lost skills
Is struggling to communicate their needs
Or you just have a gut feeling something isn’t quite right
👉 It’s worth having a conversation.
How Lycali Can Help
At Lycali, we offer:
Early communication support
Speech and language input
Neurodevelopmental-informed assessments
Ongoing support for families
We aim to make the process clear, supportive, and empowering, not overwhelming.