The Late Talker: What to Do If Your Child Isn't Talking Yet

by Marilyn C. Agin, Lisa F. Geng, Malcolm J. Nicholl

Every parent eagerly awaits the day his or her child will speak for the first time. For millions of mothers and fathers, however, anticipation turns to anxiety when those initial, all-important words are a long time coming. Many worried parents are reassured that their child is "just a late talker," but unfortunately, all too often that is not the case. Nineteen million children in the United States have serious speech disorders, such as apraxia of speech. For these toddlers, early and intensive speech therapy is crucial if they are to stand a chance of ever speaking normally. This book was written to help the worried parent cut through the confusion and stress to determine if their child needs help.

The Late Talker is the first book of its kind, providing effective, practical answers to the questions every concerned parent asks. Written by Marilyn C. Agin, a highly respected developmental pediatrician, and Lisa F. Geng, a mother of two late talkers, it is a tremendously useful handbook that

- Ways to identify the warning signs of a speech disorder
- Information on how to get the right kind of evaluations and therapy
- Ways to obtain appropriate services through the school system and health insurance
- Fun at-home activities that parents can do with their child to stimulate speech
- Groundbreaking evidence of the promising and dramatic benefits of nutritional supplementation
- Advice from experienced parents who've been there on what to expect and what you can do to be your child's best advocate

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Health

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It gave some great ideas to make sure my son is getting what he needs from his speech pathologist. It covered a few types of therapy that I was curious about learning more about (like PROMPT), and also suggested Easy Does It for Apraxia, which I bought and plan on implementing at home. We've also started some plant based omega 3s to see if they help my son at all. I highly recommend if you child has a speech impediment at all.

[Inder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really focuses on apraxia, which is a neurological condition that can contribute to late speaking in children. While helpful in dealing with that diagnosis, this is not necessarily a "general" guide for parents of kids with a speech delay. I also found the chapter on encouraging children to talk (the only chapter I read in full), to be strangely high-pressure and parent-blaming. Overall, this left me feeling panicked and worried, rather than empowered. I think if I were coming to this book with an apraxia diagnosis already in hand, it would be quite helpful, but at this point, that's a worst-case scenario for my child, and this book made me more anxious.

[Sally Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good info with tips to apply practically

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a starting point for parents of "late talkers." My son was 2 when we found this book. I read it with skepticism.

Lisa Geng (author) is not a Doctor or Scientist. She was a frustrted Mom of a late talker. She & some other parents wanted to find answers!! The result? Talking children, happy children...and eventually this book.

Lisa Geng has a facebook group that is a companion to the book. There she answers all questions personally. From that group I learned which supplements to give my son. WITHIN 3 DAYS OF TAKING THE FISH OILS MY 2-yr-old SAID "YELLOW BANANA."

Did it all come from this book? No... but the book was the starting point to connect me with Lisa and other Moms who had gone ahead of me in this frustrating problem. So.. I give this book 5 stars.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book mainly focuses on children with various forms of Apraxia. It does give some hints and tips on how to differentiate a "late talker" vs. one with a significant neurological issue. It also provides very helpful information on how to get your child the help he/she needs as well as how to best fight with an insurance company to get various therapies paid for.

I'd definitely recommend this book as a starting place for any parent with any sort of concern about their child's verbal skills.

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although there are some nice developmental charts and ways to "maybe" distinguish a late-talking child from one with more serious neurological issues, I was not a big fan of this book. I read it a while ago, so I'm not going to go into reasons why I thought I didn't like it and maybe be wrong remembering info in the book, but just know that I didn't like it!

[Tamara B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so informative if you have a child with language delays, especially apraxia. It brought so many important points to life and made me feel like there were other people out there who really understood the difficulties we face everyday. It also provided a lot of information about what to do, where to go for help, and what the future holds for many of the "late talkers".

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great manual for any parent whose child struggles with a speech language problem -- especially developmental apraxia. It has a great deal of info on dealing with the school districts and finding a qualified private SLP. Also some good advice on fish oil supplementation. A must read for any newly diagnosed families.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, granted this is specific to apraxia, but it gives good details and experiences from a doctor and a mother who have gone down that road before. The title might lead you to believe it's a general book, but it is rather specific. I found The Cow Says Moo to be a better general book, but this was a better roadmap to apraxia. Know what you want.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think that my son qualifies for this book, but I did want to let those parents who kids aren't talking well that this is a good resource to have. I did end up with more ideas on how to help my son talk more but this book is more for children with disabilities and more severe issues rather than a boy whose vocabulary is mainly about trucks.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son is unofficially diagnosed with Apraxia and I found it to contain helpful quidelines and info on how to best help him. It gives me hope, yet at the same time kinda scares me. It is going to be a long hard process, but I know there can be success.

[Kerry DellaCava · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book if your child is having any difficulties speaking. I was reading this in an airport, and numerous people came up to me and told me that it helped them. It also specifically addresses apraxia.

[Ereksonkate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book to read if you have questions about how your child should be developing language. The main focus is apraxia and gives several concrete, practical ways to work with your child if they have this.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very helpful in informing me of all the potential options out there for speech delayed or disordered kiddos. Since I have one we are taking some of the steps listed in the book to get him a proper diagnosis. Very helpful!

[Vmichelle Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read this book cover to cover, but it was a great resource to understand where we're at as far as my toddler's language development right now. If you're wondering if you need to be worried, or not, and what to do next, check this book out.

[Murni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book to help confuse parents about their children who didn't speak yet.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been so validated by a book before. If your child is a "late talker" read this book. It's truly amazing and lead Jeremy and me to the true diagnosis of apraxia.

[Danyell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed not for the lay person.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I read when my son was experiencing developmental delays. Excellent book.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book focuses primarily on apraxia. My son has a language disorder, but is not apraxic, so this book wasn't as useful to us as "The Parent’s Guide to Speech and Language Problems."

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoping to get a better understanding of my daughter's speech delays.

**Update**
Got a better conceptual understanding, but this book did not have any advice on how to help.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent advice for struggles with true speech delays