Toddlers with delayed expressive language: an overview of the characteristics, risk factors and language outcomes

Abstract

"Late talkers" is a term used in the scientific field of atypical language development to describe toddlers who exhibit delay in expressive language skills, although they do have intact receptive skills. This article provides an overview of the literature on late talking toddlers. Specifically, it underscores the risk factors for late talking as well as the parenting and individual characteristics of this group of children. It also presents the association between expressive language delay and the behavioral and socio-emotional development of late talkers, and the language outcomes of late talking toddlers at a later point in development. Our review culminates with recommendations and intervention guidelines for clinicians.

Keywords: Clinical implications; Expressive language delay; Intrinsic and extrinsic factors; Language outcomes; Late talkers.