Speech delay in children: milestones by age and when to consult

My 2-year-old does not talk: normal or not? Language milestones by age (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), common causes, warning signs and first reflexes.

Last updated: 2026-10-12

Language milestones, age by age

• 12 months: babbles, uses gestures (points, waves), responds to their name.
• 18 months: says about 10 to 50 words, follows simple instructions.
• 2 years: 50 words or more, combines two words, at least partly understandable to a stranger.
• 3 years: 3-4 word sentences, asks questions, a stranger understands most of their speech.
• 4 years: full sentences, tells a short story.
• 5 years: fluent, understandable speech, holds a conversation.

Most frequent causes (in checking order)

1. Hearing loss — always rule out first: a child who hears poorly talks poorly.
2. A simple delay: language arrives later but development is otherwise normal.
3. A language disorder that persists despite stimulation.
4. Autism or another neurodevelopmental condition, when the delay comes with other signs (see our autism factsheet).

What should prompt a consultation now

• No words at 18 months, no sentences at 2.5 years.
• The child does not point, does not look when spoken to.
• Words they used to say are lost (regression: always urgent to assess).
• At 4, still unintelligible to those around them.

Who to consult in Morocco?

Start with the pediatrician (hearing check + referral), then a speech therapist. Our guide details when and how to see a speech therapist in Morocco, and costs.

Frequently asked questions

Is it serious if a 2-year-old does not talk?

By age 2, most children combine two words. A child who says no words at 24 months deserves a medical opinion and a speech assessment. It does not automatically mean a disorder: some causes (hearing loss, bilingualism, simple variation) are benign — but only an assessment can tell.

Does bilingualism cause speech delay?

No. Bilingualism does not cause language disorders; bilingual children follow the same overall developmental calendar, even if they briefly mix languages. Keeping the home language actually strengthens communication foundations.

Speech delay vs. speech disorder?

A speech disorder concerns pronunciation (the child talks but is hard to understand). A language delay concerns vocabulary and sentences (the child talks little or not at all). Both can combine and are addressed in speech therapy.