If your two-year-old isn’t talking as much as other children their age, you’re not alone. One in five children learns to talk later than their peers, and it’s one of the most common concerns parents bring to speech pathologists. While every child develops at their own pace, understanding the signs of speech delay can help you decide when it’s time to seek support.
At Kids and Cubs Clinic in Balmain, we work with families across Sydney’s Inner West to support toddlers through play-based speech therapy. Here’s what you need to know about speech delays in two-year-olds.
What Is a Speech Delay?
A speech delay occurs when a child’s speech and language development falls behind typical milestones for their age. Speech and language are different things. Speech refers to the sounds your child makes when talking, while language involves understanding words and using them to communicate meaning. You can learn more about how we support both on our understanding and using language page.
By age two, most children can say around 50 words and start combining two words together, like “more milk” or “mummy up”. If your toddler isn’t meeting these milestones, it doesn’t automatically mean there’s a problem, but it’s worth paying attention to.
Signs Your 2 Year Old May Have a Speech Delay
Watch for these indicators that might suggest your child could benefit from a speech assessment:
✓ They can’t say at least 50 different words
✓ They’re not combining two words together (like “daddy car” or “go park”)
✓ They don’t understand simple instructions such as “get your shoes”
✓ They rely heavily on pointing or gestures instead of words
✓ Family members can’t understand what they’re trying to say
✓ They rarely attempt to imitate sounds or words
Also note if your child previously used words but has stopped, or if they seem frustrated when trying to communicate.
What Causes Speech Delays?
Speech delays can occur for different reasons. Sometimes there’s no clear cause, and the child simply needs more time and support to develop language skills — these children are often called “late talkers”.
Other times, speech delays may be linked to:
✓ Hearing difficulties that make it hard to hear and learn sounds clearly
✓ Developmental language disorder (DLD) which affects how children understand and use language something our understanding and using language therapy addresses
✓ Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) which makes it difficult to coordinate mouth movements for speech, supported through our dedicated CAS Clinic
✓ Autism spectrum disorder or developmental delay, find out more on our autism and developmental delay page
Whatever the cause, early intervention through speech therapy can make a real difference to your child’s communication development.
Speech Milestones for 2 Year Olds
Here’s what typical speech development looks like around age two. For a full breakdown across all ages, visit our Developmental Milestones page.
By 18 months:
✓ Says 10–20 words
✓ Points to familiar objects
✓ Follows simple commands
✓ Uses gestures like waving bye
By 24 months:
✓ Says 50 or more words
✓ Combines two words (“big dog”, “want juice”)
✓ Speech is about 50% understandable to strangers
✓ Asks simple questions by raising voice pitch
Remember, these are guidelines, not rigid rules. If you’re concerned your child is well behind these milestones, book a speech assessment.
When Should You See a Speech Pathologist?
You should consider contacting a speech pathologist if your two-year-old:
✓ Isn’t saying any words by 18 months
✓ Can’t follow simple instructions by age two
✓ Isn’t combining words by 24–30 months
✓ Seems frustrated or gives up trying to communicate
✓ Isn’t making progress with their speech over several months
Trust your instincts as a parent, you know your child best. If you have questions before booking, our FAQ page covers many common concerns.
What Happens During a Speech Assessment?
A speech pathologist will evaluate your child’s communication skills through play-based activities. They’ll look at:
✓ How many words your child uses and understands
✓ Whether they can follow instructions
✓ How clearly they pronounce sounds
Have your child’s hearing tested too, as undetected hearing loss is a common cause of speech delays. Once hearing is checked, the speech pathologist can develop a therapy plan tailored to your child’s needs.
How You Can Help at Home
While waiting for a professional assessment or alongside therapy, here are practical ways to support your toddler’s speech development:
✓ Talk throughout the day — Narrate what you’re doing during daily activities like cooking, dressing, or shopping. This exposes your child to new vocabulary in context
✓ Read together regularly — Picture books are excellent for building vocabulary. Point to images and name them, then pause to let your child attempt the words
✓ Speak slowly and clearly — Give your child time to process what you’re saying and respond
✓ Expand on their attempts — If your child says “car”, respond with “yes, big red car”. This models how to build sentences
✓ Follow their lead — Play with what interests them and add language to their focus. If they’re playing with blocks, talk about colours, shapes, and actions
✓ Sing songs and nursery rhymes, Repetitive songs help children learn rhythm, sounds, and new words in a fun way
For free printable resources to use at home, visit our Downloads page.
Speech Therapy for Toddlers in Sydney
At Kids and Cubs Clinic, our speech pathologists work with toddlers and preschoolers using play-based therapy for toddlers and preschoolers. We understand that learning happens best when children are engaged and having fun.
Our therapy sessions are designed to feel natural, using toys, games, and activities that match your child’s interests. We also teach families strategies to continue language development at home between sessions.
We accept NDIS, Medicare (with a Chronic Disease Management Plan from your GP), and private health insurance. We offer both in-clinic appointments at our Balmain location and telehealth sessions for families across Sydney.
Taking the Next Step
If you’re concerned about your two-year-old’s speech development, trust your instincts. While some children do catch up on their own, getting a professional assessment gives you peace of mind and a clear path forward.
The first step is simple: contact our team at Kids and Cubs Clinic for a speech assessment. We’ll help you understand your child’s current communication skills and create a plan to support their development.
Remember, seeking help early doesn’t mean there’s definitely a problem. It means you’re being proactive about giving your child the best possible support during these critical early years. Little steps now can lead to big goals achieved.
Ready to support your child’s speech development? Contact Kids and Cubs Clinic on (02) 9166 7622 to book a speech assessment at our Balmain clinic or discuss your concerns with our experienced pediatric speech pathology team.
