Speech Delay in 20 Month Olds: A Guide for Parents

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding Speech Milestones at 20 Months
3. What Exactly Is a Speech Delay?
4. Red Flags for 20-Month-Olds
5. Why Do Speech Delays Happen?
6. Speech Delay vs. Autism: Knowing the Difference
7. How to Support Your Toddler at Home
8. The Speech Blubs Approach: Smart Screen Time
9. Taking the Next Step: Professional Evaluation
10. Pricing and Value: Investing in Your Child's Voice
11. Conclusion
12. FAQs

Introduction

Imagine you’re at a playgroup, and you notice another toddler babbling away, pointing at every dog in the park and shouting "Woof woof!" while your 20-month-old stays quiet, perhaps only pointing or tugging at your sleeve when they want a snack. It is a moment many parents experience—that sudden, sharp pang of worry that your little one might be falling behind. If you are currently navigating the quiet spaces where you expected words to be, you aren't alone. Statistics suggest that nearly 1 in 4 children will face some form of speech or language challenge during their early development.

At Speech Blubs, we understand this journey intimately. Our founders all grew up with speech problems themselves and created the very tool they wished they had as children. Our mission is to empower children to "speak their minds and hearts" by blending scientific principles with the pure joy of play.

The purpose of this post is to provide you with a comprehensive look at speech delay in 20-month-old children. We will cover what typical milestones look like at this age, how to distinguish between a "late talker" and a more significant delay, the underlying causes, and practical, joy-filled strategies you can use at home. Ultimately, our goal is to show you that while a speech delay can feel overwhelming, it is also an opportunity to connect more deeply with your child and build a strong foundation for their future communication.

Understanding Speech Milestones at 20 Months

Every child follows their own internal clock, but pediatricians and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) use general milestones to gauge whether a child’s development is on a typical trajectory. At 20 months, children are often in a phase of "language explosion," where they begin to realize that everything in their world has a name.

Expressive Language: What They Say

By 20 months, many toddlers have a growing vocabulary. While the "magic number" often cited for two-year-olds is 50 words, a 20-month-old is typically working their way toward that goal. You might hear them using 10 to 30 words consistently. These aren't always perfect; "ba" for ball or "wa" for water are considered functional words at this stage.

We often see toddlers at this age beginning to:

• Imitate animal sounds (like "moo" or "meow").
• Use social words like "hi," "bye-bye," or "please."
• Start attempting two-word combinations, such as "more juice" or "mommy go."

Receptive Language: What They Understand

Often, a child's understanding (receptive language) far outpaces their ability to speak (expressive language). At 20 months, your child should be able to follow simple, one-step directions without needing you to gesture. For example, if you say, "Please go find your shoes," they should be able to look for them. They should also be able to point to several body parts (eyes, nose, tummy) when asked.

Non-Verbal Communication

Communication is about more than just spoken words. At 20 months, gestures are a vital bridge. A child should be pointing to show you things of interest—an airplane in the sky or a bird on the grass—and using gestures like waving or nodding their head. If your child is using these "bridge" skills, it’s a wonderful sign that the desire to communicate is strong.

What Exactly Is a Speech Delay?

It is helpful to clarify terms, as "speech" and "language" are often used interchangeably but mean different things in a clinical sense.

• Speech Delay: This refers to the actual act of making sounds and forming words. A child with a speech delay might be trying to communicate but has difficulty articulating sounds correctly, making them hard to understand.
• Language Delay: This involves the "rules" of communication. A child might be able to pronounce words perfectly but only have a few of them, or they might struggle to understand what others are saying.

At 20 months, a delay usually manifests as a smaller-than-expected vocabulary or a lack of attempts to join words together. It is important to remember that a delay is not a "disorder"—it often simply means the child is reaching milestones at a slower pace than their peers.

If you are feeling uncertain about where your child stands, we recommend taking our quick 3-minute preliminary screener. It consists of 9 simple questions and provides an immediate assessment and a personalized next-steps plan.

Red Flags for 20-Month-Olds

While we advocate for a "wait and see" approach only when combined with proactive "play and see" strategies, there are specific signs that warrant a conversation with your pediatrician sooner rather than later.

1. Lack of Gestures: If your child isn't pointing, waving, or reaching to be picked up by 18-20 months, it may indicate a struggle with the foundations of communication.
2. No New Words: If your child had a few words but hasn't added any new ones in several months, or if they have lost words they once had, this is a significant red flag.
3. Preference for Gestures Over Sounds: While gestures are great, a 20-month-old should be trying to vocalize alongside those gestures. If they only point and grunt without attempting sounds, they may need extra support.
4. Difficulty Following Simple Directions: If your child seems not to understand basic requests like "sit down" or "give it to me" (without you pointing), there may be an underlying receptive language issue or a hearing concern.
5. Limited Imitation: Children learn by watching us. If your child doesn't try to copy your actions (like clapping or blowing a kiss) or your sounds, it can make language acquisition much harder.

Why Do Speech Delays Happen?

If your child is experiencing a speech delay, please know that it is not your fault. There are many reasons why a child might take a little longer to find their voice.

Physical and Biological Factors

• Hearing Issues: Even temporary hearing loss from frequent ear infections can muffle the world for a toddler. If they can’t hear the sounds clearly, they can’t reproduce them.
• Oral-Motor Issues: Some children have difficulty coordinating the muscles in their lips, tongue, and jaw. This can make it physically challenging to produce specific sounds.
• Tongue-Tie: A short frenulum (the skin under the tongue) can sometimes limit tongue movement, although this more often affects specific letter sounds rather than total word count.

Developmental Variations

• The "Busy" Toddler: Some children focus intensely on one area of development at a time. A child who is a master climber or a fast runner might be "putting speech on the back burner" while they perfect their gross motor skills.
• Environmental Factors: In our modern world, passive screen time (like watching cartoons) can sometimes replace the back-and-forth interaction kids need. This is why we advocate for "smart screen time"—an active, participatory experience rather than a passive one.
• Family History: Sometimes, "late talking" simply runs in the family. If a parent or sibling was a late talker, there’s a higher chance the child will follow that pattern.

Speech Delay vs. Autism: Knowing the Difference

Many parents who search for "speech delay in 20 month old" are understandably worried about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While speech delay is a common symptom of autism, it is rarely the only symptom.

Children with a "pure" speech delay are usually very social. They will look you in the eye, use gestures to get your attention, and show you toys they are proud of. They are frustrated that they can't speak, but they are still communicating with their whole bodies.

In contrast, children with autism may show challenges in social communication beyond just words. They might:

• Avoid eye contact.
• Not respond to their name.
• Engage in repetitive play (like lining up cars for hours rather than "driving" them).
• Seem to be "in their own world."

Regardless of the cause, early intervention is the gold standard. Whether it is "just" a delay or something more complex, starting support now helps the brain's plasticity work in your child's favor. You can read our research to see how our methodology supports diverse learning needs.

How to Support Your Toddler at Home

You are your child's best teacher. You don't need a clinical setting to make a massive impact on their language development. Here are several strategies to turn your daily routine into a language-rich environment.

1. Narrate Everything

Think of yourself as a sports commentator for your child's life. "I’m picking up the blue cup. Now I’m pouring the milk. Splash, splash! Here is your milk." This constant exposure helps them map words to objects and actions.

2. The Power of "One-Up"

If your child says a word, repeat it back to them and add one more. If they say "Car," you say "Big car!" If they say "Juice," you say "More juice." This models how to expand their vocabulary without putting pressure on them.

3. Use Video Modeling

This is the core of the Speech Blubs experience. Research shows that children are highly motivated by watching their peers. In our app, kids watch videos of other children saying words and making sounds. This triggers "mirror neurons" in the brain, making the child want to imitate what they see.

For a parent whose 20-month-old loves animals, the "Animal Kingdom" section of Speech Blubs offers a fun, motivating way to practice "moo" and "baa" sounds by watching other kids do it first. This peer-to-peer connection is often much more effective than a child watching an adult’s mouth.

4. Create a "Need" to Speak

Sometimes we are too good at being parents. If we know exactly what our child wants before they even point, they have no reason to use words. Try "forgetting" to give them their spoon with their yogurt. Wait for them to look at you or make a sound before you provide it. This creates a functional reason for them to communicate.

The Speech Blubs Approach: Smart Screen Time

At Speech Blubs, we provide a joyful, effective solution for parents looking to supplement their child's development. We aren't about passive viewing; we are about active participation. Our app is designed to be a "screen-free alternative" in spirit—meaning it encourages the child to look away from the screen, make a sound, and interact with the adult sitting next to them.

Our unique "video modeling" methodology is backed by science and has earned us a high rating on the MARS scale for educational quality. We don't just teach words; we foster a love for communication. When a child sees another child on the screen wearing a funny digital hat and making a "pop" sound, it transforms "work" into "play."

To see the impact our community has made, you can read parent testimonials from families who have seen their children build confidence and reduce frustration through our app.

Taking the Next Step: Professional Evaluation

If your child is 20 months old and you are concerned, we encourage you to seek a professional evaluation. This usually begins with a visit to your pediatrician, who may refer you to:

1. An Audiologist: To rule out any hearing loss.
2. A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): To conduct a formal assessment of your child's receptive and expressive language.
3. Early Intervention Services: Many regions offer free or low-cost evaluations and home-based therapy for children under age three.

Professional therapy and home-based tools like Speech Blubs work best when used together. Think of the SLP as the coach and Speech Blubs as the fun "practice field" where your child can build their skills daily.

Pricing and Value: Investing in Your Child's Voice

We want to be transparent and helpful as you choose the best tools for your family. Speech Blubs offers two main paths:

• Monthly Plan: For $14.99 per month, you get full access to our speech-boosting activities.
• Yearly Plan: For $59.99 per year, which breaks down to just $4.99 per month. This is our best-value option and the one we recommend for families committed to seeing long-term progress.

The Yearly Plan is the superior choice for several reasons. Not only do you save 66% compared to the monthly rate, but it also includes:

• A 7-day free trial to ensure it’s the right fit for your child.
• Access to the Reading Blubs app, helping your child transition from speaking to reading.
• Early access to all our new updates and features.
• Priority 24-hour support response time from our dedicated team.

The Monthly plan does not include these additional high-value features. To get the full suite of tools and the free trial, we encourage you to sign up and create your account today.

Conclusion

A speech delay in a 20-month-old can feel like a silent barrier between you and your child, but it is a barrier that can be broken with patience, play, and the right tools. Remember that your child’s value is not defined by how many words they can say today, but by the unique way they connect with the world. By staying proactive and creating a joyful learning environment, you are giving them the greatest gift possible: the ability to eventually speak their mind and heart.

We are here to support you every step of the way. Whether it’s through our scientific research, our community of parents, or our engaging video modeling, our goal is to turn frustration into "aha!" moments.

Ready to start this journey? Download Speech Blubs on the App Store or get it on Google Play to begin your 7-day free trial. We highly recommend choosing the Yearly plan during sign-up to unlock the Reading Blubs app and ensure you have the most comprehensive support available for your little one.

FAQs

1. How many words should a 20-month-old have?

While there is a wide range of "normal," most 20-month-olds are using between 10 and 50 words. However, the quality of communication is just as important as the quantity. If your child is using gestures, following directions, and attempting new sounds, they are building the necessary foundation for a vocabulary explosion.

2. Can a 20-month-old catch up from a speech delay?

Yes! Many children who are considered "late talkers" catch up to their peers by the time they enter preschool or kindergarten. Early intervention—which includes talking, reading, and using tools like Speech Blubs—significantly improves the chances of a child closing the gap quickly and building confidence.

3. Is screen time bad for a child with a speech delay?

Passive screen time, where a child just sits and watches a show, does not help with language development. However, "smart screen time" that uses video modeling and encourages the child to mimic sounds and interact with a caregiver can be a powerful educational tool. Speech Blubs is designed specifically to be an active, educational experience.

4. When should I see a speech therapist for my 20-month-old?

If your child has no words by 18-20 months, doesn't point or use gestures, or seems to have trouble understanding simple instructions, it is a good idea to schedule an evaluation. You don't need to wait for a "diagnosis" to start supporting them; you can begin using speech-boosting activities at home immediately.