Episode #25: 18 Month Old Not Talking but Understands: Milestones, Tips, and When to Get Help
It can feel confusing and even worrisome when your toddler seems to understand everything you say, but isn’t talking yet. At 18 months, many parents wonder: Is this normal? Should my child be saying more words? Do I need to get help now, or just wait and see?
In this episode of Talk It Out with Wee Talkers, we’re unpacking one of the most common questions we hear: “My 18-month-old isn’t talking, but they seem to understand a lot. What should I do?”
We’ll walk you through:
Speech and language milestones at 18 months — what’s typical and what matters most at this age.
The difference between receptive language (what your child understands) and expressive language (what they say out loud).
Why strong understanding skills are an encouraging sign, even if your toddler isn’t talking much yet.
Tips to support talking at home — simple, playful ways to model language, encourage first words, and set your child up for success.
When to consider getting help — how to know if it’s time to connect with a speech-language pathologist, and why early support can make a big difference.
As pediatric speech-language pathologists (and moms!), we know how stressful it can feel when your child isn’t meeting milestones the way you expected. Our goal is to give you clear information, encouragement, and practical steps you can take today.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your toddler is on track or what you can do to help, this episode is for you.