Podcast Summary: Talking Toddlers

Host: Erin Hyer
Episode: I’ve Seen Hundreds of “Late Talkers.” Here’s What All Parents Miss. Ep 133
Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, speech-language pathologist Erin Hyer draws on nearly four decades of experience to dismantle myths around “late talkers” and clarify what parents really need to notice in early childhood language development. Erin empowers parents to actively support their children’s speech and language at home, debunks the “wait and see” approach, and unpacks real red flags that are often overlooked by both caregivers and professionals.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Flawed “Wait and See” Approach

• Erin rejects the default advice that children will often outgrow late talking, highlighting the risk of missing critical intervention windows:
  • “We cannot determine which of the late talkers will catch up on their own and which ones won’t. And that's why the whole wait and see approach is a risky plan.” (04:01)
  • The old statistic Erin cites—70% of late talkers catch up on their own—is now closer to 60%. “That means 40% will not.” (15:29)

2. Differentiating Late Talkers from Communication Disorders

• Erin details the exact characteristics of a true late talker and contrasts them with signs of deeper developmental or communication issues:
  • A true late talker: “Engages socially, understands language well for his or her age, uses gestures, plays with purpose, imitates, has stable motor skills… no sensory red flags.” (06:29)
  • Not a late talker if: “They’re shy, just a boy, prefer movement, or 'will talk when ready.'” (07:08)
• She distinguishes between:
  • Language Delay: Struggles are isolated to speech/language, soil for words is lacking nutrients (09:05)
  • Communication Disorder: Multiple domains impacted (social, sensory, play, attention), much broader support needed (10:49)
  • Specific Language Impairment (SLI): Formerly used label for challenges in both understanding and expressing language (09:37)

3. Developmental Red Flags and What to Watch For

Erin offers a checklist and clear behavioral markers that parents and caregivers should note:

• Six Key Developmental Areas: (22:15–24:03)
  1. Understanding (following directions, routines)
  2. Gestures (at least 16 by 16 months)
  3. Imitation (actions, sounds, words, facial expressions)
  4. Play (functional and pretend, understanding sequences)
  5. Social Engagement (eye contact, reciprocity, joint attention)
  6. Vocal Play (babbling, varied consonant use, attempts at words)
• Red flags: (27:40–28:00)
  • Weak imitation
  • Lack of gestures
  • Limited consonant variety
  • Loss of previously used words
  • Poor comprehension
  • Flat affect (lack of warmth or engagement)
  • Little to no pretend play
  • Avoidance instead of curiosity
  • Sensory issues

Quote: “You want noisy babies, you want talkative toddlers... We want word attempts that are going to be very misarticulated and misunderstood, but we want them to attempt...” (24:03)

4. The Systemic Problem: Schools & Delayed Intervention

• Erin details the unfortunate reality that academic failure is often required to trigger testing and services in schools:
  • “Your child has to fail at academics before they'll test. Meanwhile, your child is struggling and feels broken. Not because he is...but because the world is asking him to use skills that were never fully supported.” (19:02–19:10)
• She warns that unresolved early speech/language issues often resurface later as literacy or learning disorders, ADHD, or other academic challenges. (16:32–18:10)

5. Environmental and Modern Challenges

• Erin discusses the increasing fragility in children's regulatory and sensory systems and attributes part of this to changes in maternal stress, environment, and lifestyle:
  • “A mother’s stress, her emotional support, her nutrient reserves, her toxin exposures, even her sleep, all of that shape the nervous system that's growing inside of her during pregnancy. So babies are entering the world with less margin…” (31:34)

6. Empowering Parents: What You Can Do Now

• Instead of passively waiting, Erin outlines what parents can control:
  • “Your environment, right? Your lifestyle choices, your daily habits, your intentionality and your presence… most importantly is your relationship.” (21:20)
• Erin’s Three P’s for Parents:
  1. Be Present: “Decrease distraction…get on the floor with him, share eye contact, follow your child's lead.” (37:17)
  2. Be Purposeful: “Understand what your modeling means...” Comment on your child’s actions instead of defaulting to “good job.” Narrate daily routines. (38:20)
  3. Be Playful: Imitate silly movements, take turns, use pretend play, support sensory and motor skills. (38:57)
• The bottom line: “If nothing changes in your child's day, nothing will change in their development.” (35:21, also emphasized at 35:31)

7. Rejecting False Reassurance and Urging Early, Everyday Action

• Erin is clear that therapy is helpful but not a magic bullet—what happens at home is determinative:
  • “Therapy will never replace what your child learns at home through you, ever.” (36:34)
• She offers free checklists and encourages parents to “start building a language-rich home now, with or without a professional diagnosis.” (33:16–34:27, 41:11)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “You’re not imagining it. You’re not overreacting. And honestly, you’re asking the right question.” — Erin Hyer (01:20)
• “The term late talker gets thrown around a lot casually by parents, yes, but also by professionals. Pediatricians seem to really use it loosely.” (05:07)
• “The earlier we respond, the easier it is to get them back on track. That’s why early intervention has so much possibility.” (33:16)
• “If nothing changes in your child’s day, nothing will change in their development.” (35:21)
• “Your child doesn’t need you to know everything. He needs your presence, your heart, and your willingness to take the next step with intention. And I’m here to walk that with you.” (43:30)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• What is a true late talker? (6:29–7:35)
• Distinguishing delay, disorder, and communication problems: (8:45–12:35)
• Six key areas for parents to assess: (22:15–24:03)
• Full Red Flags List: (27:40–28:00)
• Sensory processing in modern kids: (29:16–32:22)
• Why waiting doesn't work: (33:43–35:21)
• Parent empowerment – the Three P’s: (37:17–39:32)
• The power of daily home engagement: (36:34)
• Invitation to free discovery calls / closing encouragement: (41:11–43:30)

Tone & Style Notes

Erin's tone is warm, reassuring, and practical. She empowers parents with actionable information, constantly affirms their instincts, and provides clear, jargon-free explanations. She avoids fear-mongering and focuses on clarity, connection, and practical courage for families.

Takeaway for Parents

• Don’t brush off early speech concerns or accept vague reassurances; your observations matter.
• “Late talking” deserves both careful observation and proactive, daily support at home.
• Focus on holistic development: gestures, imitation, play, engagement, and vocal experimentation—not just vocabulary charts.
• The earlier you encourage speech and language through relationships and play, the stronger your child’s foundation for learning.
• Seeking support or making changes is not an overreaction—it’s wise stewardship of your child’s future.