Language Outcomes of Late Talking Toddlers at Preschool and Beyond

Abstract Toddlers who demonstrate delayed onset and progression of expressive language in conjunction with otherwise age-appropriate development are often referred to as “late talkers.” For speech-language pathologists who provide early identification and intervention of children who are late talkers, the ability to ascertain whether children ultimately recover or go on to experience difficulties throughout their school years into adulthood is of significant interest. This article summarizes criteria for the identification of late talkers based on research to date, and considers outcomes of late talking toddlers in preschool, kindergarten, and beyond.