Seattle Speech Therapy
Expert Support for Late Talkers
Is your child not talking as much as expected for their age? Many parents worry when their toddler isn’t meeting speech milestones. At Swanson Speech Therapy, we provide early intervention speech therapy to help late talkers build language skills, confidence, and communication success.
- Serving Ballard & Surrounding Areas In-Person
- Virtual Sessions Available Throughout Washington
What is a Late Talker?
A late talker is a toddler (15-30 months old) who has a limited vocabulary but is otherwise developing normally. Some children catch up on their own, while others need speech therapy to avoid long-term language delays.
Common signs of late talking:
- Less than 20 words by 15 months
- Less than 50 words by age 2
- Not combining two words by 24 months
- Difficulty imitating sounds or words
- Frustration when trying to communicate
- Struggles to follow simple directions
If your child shows these signs, early intervention can help them develop strong language skills and avoid future communication difficulties.
Disclaimer: The language milestones provided are intended to be descriptive and should be interpreted within the context of each individual child and their family structure. Every child develops at their own pace, and variations in language development are natural. If you have any concerns about your child’s speech or language skills, we encourage you to consult a speech and language professional or schedule an evaluation for personalized guidance.
How We Help Late Talkers
Comprehensive Evaluations
A detailed speech & language assessment to understand your child’s communication strengths and challenges. We evaluate:
- Expressive & receptive language skills
- Imitation, gestures, and nonverbal communication
- Parent concerns and daily communication needs
Key Therapy Strategies for Late Talkers
- Engaging Activities to Encourage Speech – We use play, books, songs, and movement to motivate communication.
- Modeling & Expanding Language – We help children learn words, gestures, and phrases through interactive techniques.
- Narrating & Expanding – Helping children connect words to their experiences.
- Repetition & Imitation – Strengthening word learning through fun, engaging activities.
To promote foundational skills, we recommend our Early Language Development Support program.
If your child’s delayed speech might relate to autism, explore our affirming Autism Spectrum Speech Therapy services.
Why Choose Swanson Speech Therapy?
Expert Pediatric Therapists
Expert speech therapists specializing in early language development.
Fun & Play-Based Approach
Fun, play-based approach to keep kids engaged.
Parent-Integrated Strategies
Parent coaching for lasting progress at home.
Testimonials
“Natalie and the team at Swanson Speech Therapy has been a godsend. Natalie and team are the greatest empaths that creates a positive and safe environment for the kids to learn and grow. Thank you so much!”
“Swanson Speech Therapy is fantastic! My son’s improvement was night and day. He went from being barely understandable at age 4, to speaking clearly and age appropriately by 5! The teachers are super supportive and make learning a fun environment.”
– Samantha Bowerman
“We had a fantastic experience with Swanson Speech Therapy for my daughter. The location was convenient and very comfortable and quiet. We could not have been more happy with the time we spent with Swanson Speech Therapy!”
– Amy Betz
Rates and billing
- Consultation: Free 15-minute phone call
- Evaluation: $329 for a 60-90 minute assessment
- Therapy: $159 per 40-minute session
- Travel Fee: $25.75 per visit
In-network with Premera Blue Cross. Out-of-network for other insurances: We provide a superbill for potential reimbursement, but you’ll be responsible for the full amount upfront.
Discover Virtual Speech Therapy Services
Explore our convenient and effective virtual speech therapy options, providing expert care from the comfort of your home. Start the journey to improve your child’s communication skills today!
Speech Therapy for Late Talkers FAQ's
What age is considered a late talker?
A late talker is typically a toddler between 18-30 months who has a limited vocabulary but is developing typically in other areas like motor skills and understanding. If your child has less than 20 words by 18 months or fewer than 50 words by age 2, they may be a late talker.
Will my late talker catch up on their own?
Some late talkers do catch up without intervention, but 30-40% continue to have language difficulties later in life. Early intervention speech therapy helps ensure your child builds strong communication skills and avoids long-term delays.
When should I be concerned about my child’s speech delay?
If your child exhibits any of these signs, it’s best to seek an evaluation:
- Not using at least 20 words by 18 months
- Not combining words by 24 months
- Struggles to imitate sounds or words
- Frustration when trying to communicate
- Has difficulty understanding or following directions
How does speech therapy help late talkers?
Speech therapy focuses on play-based techniques to encourage language development, including:
Play-based learning to engage toddlers in communication
Modeling and expanding language by introducing new words in context
Imitation and repetition to reinforce vocabulary and phrases
Parent coaching to help parents support speech at home
What are the benefits of early speech therapy?
Helps children build confidence in communication
Reduces frustration related to difficulty expressing needs
Prevents future learning and social communication challenges
Supports school readiness and peer interactions
What should I do if my child is a late talker?
Talk to a speech-language pathologist for a professional evaluation
Engage your child in language-rich activities such as reading, singing, and playing
Use modeling and repetition to reinforce new words
Encourage communication with gestures and choice
How do I get started?
- Click here to complete our inquiry form and/or email us to set up a 15-minute consultation call.
- After you have completed the inquiry form, we will reach back out to you with a therapist that best fits your needs and preferences
- Schedule an evaluation and complete intake forms
- Start your speech therapy journey!
Where does speech therapy take place?
We provide a variety of different treatment settings including our clinic space, virtual, your home, and or community settings such as your child’s school or daycare
How often can my child have speech therapy?
The frequency of sessions is dependent on your child’s needs and is determined case by case. However, we typically provide sessions 1-3 times per week for each child we treat.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept Premera insurance and are considered an in-network provider for Premera. For all other insurance companies, we are considered an out-of-network provider and families pay directly after each session. Many families that we work with are able to bill insurance themselves with the invoice we provide.
What is expected of me as a parent?
We ask that you play an active role in your child’s speech and language therapy, although that may look different for different clients. Ways that parents have engaged in their child’s therapy in the past include: getting on the floor and playing with the SLP and their child, actively observing and trying strategies used in the session at home, helping their child to play speech “games” at home that have been discussed and played during therapy. If it works out best for your family to have therapy provided at a school or daycare setting, we will put a plan in place to have open communication about strategies used during each session.
Looking for Speech Therapy in Seattle?
Swanson Speech Therapy provides pediatric speech therapy in Seattle for toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, and teens. Families visit our Ballard clinic for speech and language evaluations, articulation therapy, support for late talkers, stuttering therapy, autism-related communication support, AAC, and more.
