Non Verbal Kids: When Do They Start Talking? A Guide for Parents

Table of Contents

1. Understanding the Spectrum of Non-Verbal Communication
2. Early Indicators Your Non-Verbal Child May Be Preparing to Talk
3. Factors Influencing When Non Verbal Kids Start Talking
4. Strategies to Encourage Speech Development at Home
5. The Role of Professional Support and Early Intervention
6. Exploring Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
7. Setting Realistic Expectations and Celebrating Every Step
8. Empowering Your Child’s Communication Journey with Speech Blubs
9. Conclusion
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Every parent eagerly anticipates their child’s first words, a significant milestone often associated with developing independence and deeper connection. But what happens when those words don’t emerge as expected? The journey of a non-verbal child, or one who is minimally verbal, can feel daunting, filled with questions about their future communication abilities. It’s crucial to understand that “non-verbal” doesn’t equate to “non-communicative.” Children express themselves in countless ways long before they utter a single word, and their communication journey is always unique. This post aims to illuminate the many facets of communication development, explore early signs that indicate a non-verbal child may be preparing to talk, and provide practical strategies and supportive insights for parents navigating this path. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and practical steps to nurture your child’s communication, no matter its form or timeline.

Understanding the Spectrum of Non-Verbal Communication

When we discuss children who are non-verbal, we are referring to those who have not yet developed functional spoken language to express their needs, wants, or ideas. This can apply to children with various developmental profiles, including those on the autism spectrum, children with apraxia of speech, or those with significant language delays due to other underlying reasons. For many children, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), communication development doesn’t follow a typical linear path. Some may develop a rich vocabulary in specific areas but struggle with social reciprocity, while others might rely heavily on gestures or other non-verbal cues for years before spoken words become consistent. Research consistently highlights that communication skills can continue to develop well into adolescence and beyond, emphasizing that progress isn’t confined solely to early childhood.

At Speech Blubs, we deeply understand this nuanced reality. Our mission is to empower children to “speak their minds and hearts,” recognizing that this can manifest through various forms of expression, not solely through spoken words. As you explore our offerings on the Speech Blubs homepage, you’ll see how our innovative approach, born from the personal experiences of our founders who themselves faced speech challenges, is designed to provide immediate, effective, and joyful solutions for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support. We achieve this by blending scientific principles with play, creating one-of-a-kind “smart screen time” experiences that serve as a screen-free alternative to passive viewing (like cartoons) and a powerful tool for family connection. Our unique “video modeling” methodology, where children learn by watching and imitating their peers, is particularly effective in encouraging early imitation—a foundational skill for all forms of communication. You can learn more about our science-backed methods and how they’ve helped countless families by visiting our research page.

Early Indicators Your Non-Verbal Child May Be Preparing to Talk

It’s natural to wonder, “When do non verbal kids start talking?” While there’s no single, universal answer, certain behaviors often signal that a child is building the foundational skills necessary for spoken language. These indicators are crucial to observe, as they represent your child’s innate drive to connect and communicate. Recognizing and responding to these subtle cues is a powerful way to encourage their journey towards verbal expression.

Nonverbal Communication is Key

Even without uttering a single word, children communicate constantly. Paying close attention to how your child expresses their needs, wants, and interests can provide valuable insight into their developing communication skills:

• Using Gestures and Pointing: Does your child point to objects they desire, wave goodbye to familiar faces, or shake their head for “no”? These are powerful forms of communication that demonstrate intentionality and understanding.
• Leading You by the Hand: If your child takes your hand and guides you to a desired object or place, they are actively initiating a communicative interaction, clearly indicating a request or interest.
• Tapping or Touching Objects: A child might tap a toy, a picture in a book, or even your arm to draw your attention to something specific, indicating shared interest or a desire for interaction.
• Bringing You Items to Share: Offering you a toy, a blanket, or a snack, even without words, is a significant social gesture that demonstrates a desire for connection and joint attention.

For a parent whose child is actively using gestures like pointing, the interactive “What’s Missing?” or “Guess the Animal” activities within the Speech Blubs app are fantastic. These sections prompt children to point at or tap specific objects on the screen, guided by peer models. This not only reinforces the gesture but also connects it to language concepts, preparing them for future verbal requests and descriptions. We believe in harnessing these early communication attempts and transforming them into stepping stones for speech.

Sound Making and Vocal Play

Long before clear words emerge, children experiment extensively with sounds. These vocal explorations are vital for developing the muscle memory, breath control, and auditory processing needed for speech production.

• Mimicking Environmental Sounds: Does your child make “vroom” sounds for cars, “moo” for cows, or imitate the ringing of a telephone? This indicates an awareness of the sounds in their environment and an attempt to reproduce them with their own voice.
• Babbling with Different Tones and Rhythms: Beyond simple repetitive “ba-ba” sounds, listen for varied consonant-vowel combinations, changes in pitch, and intonation patterns that begin to mimic the flow and rhythm of conversational speech.
• Humming Tunes or Melodies: Exploring vocal cords through humming shows an engagement with sound production and developing auditory memory, an important pre-linguistic skill.
• Making Specific Sounds for Requests: Some children might consistently use a particular sound (e.g., an “uh-oh” sound for dropping something, or a specific squeal when they want a particular toy) to communicate a clear, albeit non-verbal, message.

For a child who is mimicking animal sounds or vehicle noises, our app’s “Animal Kingdom” or “Vehicle Fun” categories are perfect. They feature real children modeling these sounds, creating an engaging and non-threatening environment for your child to imitate. This “video modeling” approach, central to our scientifically-backed methodology, capitalizes on children’s natural tendency to learn from their peers, transforming simple sound play into meaningful vocal practice.

Social Engagement Behaviors

Communication is inherently social, and improved engagement with others often precedes or accompanies advancements in verbal skills. These behaviors demonstrate a child’s growing awareness of others and their role in interaction:

• Responding to Their Name: Turning their head, making eye contact, or showing a brief pause in their activity when their name is called indicates an awareness of their identity and an understanding of auditory cues.
• Making Eye Contact More Frequently: While consistent eye contact can be challenging for some children, an increase in brief, shared gazes is a positive sign of social connection and joint attention.
• Taking Turns in Simple Games or Activities: Engaging in games like peek-a-boo, rolling a ball back and forth, or waiting for their turn in an activity builds crucial conversational reciprocity and social understanding.
• Showing Interest in Interactive Play: Actively participating in games with you or other children, even if non-verbally, demonstrates a desire for shared experiences and social connection.

Our app is designed not just for speech development, but for fostering connection. The interactive nature of Speech Blubs promotes turn-taking and shared attention, transforming passive screen time into “smart screen time.” For instance, when a child watches a peer in the app make a sound and then imitates it, they are engaging in a form of turn-taking, an essential social communication skill. We aim for these moments to be shared, turning communication development into joyful family connection.

Following Simple Verbal Instructions

Receptive language—the ability to understand spoken words—is a powerful and necessary precursor to expressive language. A child must understand before they can effectively speak.

• Responding to One-Step Directions: Does your child respond consistently to commands like “Come here,” “Give me the ball,” or “Sit down”? This shows their brain is processing and connecting spoken words to specific actions or objects.
• Reacting Appropriately to Questions: Even if they don’t answer verbally, looking at the correct object when asked “Where’s the teddy bear?” or pointing to their shoe when asked “Where are your shoes?” demonstrates strong comprehension. These abilities indicate that your child is building a robust “vocabulary of understanding,” which is a critical foundation for eventually using those words themselves.

Imitation Skills

Imitation is a cornerstone of learning, particularly for language acquisition and social development. It allows children to practice new skills by modeling others.

• Copying Sounds or Gestures: Does your child imitate claps, stomps, or silly faces you make? Do they try to repeat simple sounds or animal noises you say?
• Mimicking Actions During Play: Watching your child pretend to feed a doll after seeing you do it, or stacking blocks in the same way you did, shows strong imitative abilities that extend beyond simple motor skills into symbolic play.

Our entire Speech Blubs methodology is built around the power of imitation. Our “video modeling” features hundreds of real children demonstrating sounds, words, and phrases in an engaging way. For example, if your child sees a peer on screen making the “p” sound for “pop,” they are naturally encouraged to imitate, activating mirror neurons in their brain and making the learning process intuitive and fun. This approach is rooted in solid scientific principles, providing a strong foundation for speech development.

Pretend Play Development

Engaging in pretend play is a significant cognitive milestone closely linked to language development. It demonstrates a child’s ability to think symbolically, create narratives, and understand different perspectives.

• Moving Toy Cars with Motor Sounds: A child pushing a car and making “vroom” sounds is using objects symbolically and adding vocalizations, often practicing early sound sequences.
• Feeding Stuffed Animals: This imaginative scenario demonstrates an understanding of roles, actions, and often involves an internal monologue or babbling directed at the toy, practicing conversational turn-taking even alone.
• Acting Out Simple Scenarios: Making a doll “walk” to a dollhouse and “knock” on the door shows sequencing, cause-and-effect, and storytelling, all of which are deeply intertwined with language structure.
• Using Objects Symbolically: Pretending a block is a phone or a spoon is an airplane signifies abstract thought, which is crucial for language development where words represent objects and ideas. These pretend play scenarios are rich opportunities for parents to engage with their child, narrating actions and introducing vocabulary, which is something we enthusiastically encourage as part of the Speech Blubs experience.

Factors Influencing When Non Verbal Kids Start Talking

The timeline for when a non-verbal child begins to talk is influenced by a complex interplay of various factors. Understanding these elements can help parents gain a clearer perspective and tailor their support effectively.

• Individual Developmental Pace: Just as children walk, crawl, and read at different ages, speech development has its own unique timetable for each child. Some children are simply “late bloomers” in communication, developing speech later than their peers but catching up quickly once they start.
• Presence of Co-occurring Conditions:
  • Hearing Problems: Undiagnosed or untreated hearing loss can significantly impede speech development by making it difficult for a child to hear and process spoken sounds. Regular hearing checks are essential for all children, especially those with suspected delays.
  • Apraxia of Speech: This neurological motor planning disorder affects the brain’s ability to coordinate the muscle movements needed for speech, even if the child knows what they want to say. It can make forming sounds and words extremely challenging.
  • Cognitive Delays or Learning Disabilities: These conditions can impact the overall processing and production of language, affecting both receptive and expressive communication.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Characteristics: For children with ASD, speech development is highly variable. While many autistic children do develop spoken language, some may remain minimally verbal for years, and a significant percentage may not develop functional spoken language throughout their lives. The severity of ASD symptoms and the presence of co-occurring conditions can significantly influence this. If you’re unsure if your child could benefit from speech support, our preliminary screener can help you assess their developmental milestones and provide a personalized plan, including a 7-day free trial of Speech Blubs if appropriate. Take our quick 3-minute screener to get a simple assessment and next steps.
• Access to Early Intervention: The power of early support cannot be overstated. Comprehensive therapy, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral interventions, initiated during a child’s critical early developmental years, has been shown to significantly improve communication outcomes.
• Family Support and Engagement: An enriching and responsive home environment, where communication attempts are consistently encouraged, acknowledged, and celebrated, is a critical factor in a child’s progress. Active family involvement makes a profound difference in motivating and guiding a child towards effective communication.

Strategies to Encourage Speech Development at Home

Parents are a child’s first and most important communication partners. Your consistent, joyful engagement creates the fertile ground for speech to blossom. Here are practical strategies you can integrate into daily life to support your child’s communication journey:

Create Communication Opportunities

Intentional efforts to create moments where your child needs or wants to communicate can be highly effective.

• Follow Your Child’s Interests: Talk about what your child is already focused on. If they’re fascinated by trains, narrate their play: “Choo-choo! The train is going fast!” This makes communication meaningful, relevant, and motivating.
• Use the “One-Up” Rule: If your child uses single words (e.g., says “car”), you can expand on it by using a two-word phrase (“Big car!”) or a short, simple sentence (“The car is red.”). This models slightly more complex language without overwhelming them, encouraging gradual expansion.
• Give Wait Time: After you speak, pause and wait expectantly for your child to respond, even if it’s just a sound, a gesture, or a look. This teaches them that communication is a two-way street and encourages them to initiate or take their turn.
• Respond to All Communication Attempts: Whether it’s a babble, a point, an excited squeal, or an intentional gaze, acknowledge it. “Oh, you want the block! Here’s the block.” This validates their efforts and reinforces the idea that their communication is understood and valued, making them more likely to try again.

At Speech Blubs, we design our activities to naturally create these opportunities for interaction. Our app acts as a “smart screen time” experience, intentionally pausing and prompting interaction, rather than passive viewing. For example, in our “Early Sounds” section, children watch a peer make a sound, then there’s a natural pause, giving your child the perfect window to imitate or respond. This structured interaction, combined with your co-play, maximizes communication practice and learning.

Encourage Interactive Play

Play is a child’s natural language, and it’s where much of their learning happens. Engaging in playful activities together can build connection and communication skills simultaneously.

• Sing Songs with Actions: Songs like “Wheels on the Bus” or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” combine auditory input with motor actions, making words more concrete and memorable. The repetitive nature also aids in language acquisition.
• Play Peek-a-Boo and Other Turn-Taking Games: These simple, joyful games teach foundational social skills like anticipating, waiting, and reacting—all crucial for developing conversational turn-taking skills.
• Read Books with Animated Voices and Gestures: Point to pictures, make animal sounds, and use expressive voices to bring stories to life. Encourage your child to point or make sounds along with you, making reading an interactive experience.
• Engage in Tickle Games or Gentle Roughhousing: These physically engaging activities build connection, laughter, and often elicit spontaneous vocalizations and shared joyful moments, strengthening the bond between you and your child.

For a child who loves animals, the Speech Blubs app offers interactive animal sound and name activities. When a child sees a peer making a “woof” sound for a dog, and then you encourage them to imitate, it becomes a playful, interactive learning moment. This is how we make learning complex communication skills fun and effective, bridging the gap between digital content and real-world interaction. Ready to transform screen time into a powerful learning tool? You can download Speech Blubs on the App Store or Google Play Store to begin your journey.

Focus on Social Interaction

Building a strong, responsive social connection with your child is paramount for communication development. Children learn to communicate best within loving, supportive relationships.

• Position Yourself at Your Child’s Eye Level: Get down on the floor with them, making it easier for them to engage with your facial expressions and maintain eye contact. This shows you are fully present and approachable.
• Use Expressive Gestures and Facial Cues: Exaggerate your expressions to convey meaning. A big smile, wide eyes, or an open hand can communicate warmth, understanding, and enthusiasm, making your communication more accessible.
• Imitate Their Sounds or Play: If your child babbles “ba-ba,” babble “ba-ba” back. If they roll a car, you roll a car. This shows you are listening, engaged, and “speaking their language,” building trust and reciprocity.
• Warmly Celebrate Every Communication Attempt: Clap, cheer, or offer enthusiastic praise for any effort your child makes to communicate, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement encourages more attempts and builds confidence.

Our founders, all of whom grew up with speech problems, created Speech Blubs because they understood the profound impact of feeling heard and connected. We design our app to foster these very social interactions, making it a tool for shared experiences and strengthening family bonds.

The Role of Professional Support and Early Intervention

While home-based strategies are invaluable, professional support can provide targeted guidance and therapy to help your child reach their full communication potential.

• Speech Therapy: A qualified speech-language pathologist (SLP) can diagnose specific speech and language delays, and create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your child’s unique needs. SLPs use various evidence-based techniques to improve articulation, vocabulary, comprehension, and social communication skills. They also provide invaluable guidance to parents on how to continue therapy practices effectively at home.
• Early Intervention Programs: These comprehensive programs offer a wide range of developmental support during the critical early years (birth to age three). They can address not only speech but also physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and adaptive skills. Research consistently shows that early intervention significantly improves long-term outcomes for children with developmental delays.
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): For children with ASD, ABA therapy can be highly effective in teaching communication skills by breaking down complex behaviors into smaller, manageable steps and using positive reinforcement to encourage desired responses.
• Occupational Therapy: An occupational therapist can help with foundational skills like sensory processing, fine motor skills, and attention regulation, all of which indirectly support communication development by creating a more optimal state for learning.

At Speech Blubs, we believe in a holistic approach to child development. Our app serves as a powerful supplement to professional therapy, providing consistent, engaging practice that reinforces what children learn from their therapists. We are committed to empowering parents with the tools they wished they had, aligning our scientific methodology with expert recommendations to ensure children receive the best possible support. Many parents have shared their success stories with us, highlighting how our app complements their child’s therapy and contributes to their progress. You can read some of these inspiring testimonials here.

Exploring Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)

It’s crucial to acknowledge that not all non-verbal children will develop fluent spoken language, and that is perfectly okay. Effective communication can take many forms, and embracing Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) methods can be incredibly empowering for both children and their families. AAC provides a means for children to express themselves, reducing frustration and fostering connection.

• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): This structured system teaches children to communicate by exchanging pictures for desired items, activities, or social interactions. It builds from simple requests to more complex sentence structures.
• Communication Apps on Tablets and Devices: Many apps offer a wide range of symbols and text-to-speech functions, allowing children to construct sentences and express complex thoughts by tapping on icons. These can be highly customizable to a child’s vocabulary and interests.
• Simple Gesture Systems or Sign Language: Learning basic signs for common words or needs (e.g., “more,” “eat,” “help”) can provide a rapid and accessible way for children to express core messages and reduce immediate frustration.
• Visual Schedules and Supports: These tools use pictures or symbols to outline routines, steps for an activity, or upcoming events, helping children understand expectations, transition between activities, and participate more independently.

A common misconception is that AAC might prevent a child from developing speech. On the contrary, research often shows that using AAC can actually support speech development by reducing communication frustration, fostering communicative intent, and providing a successful means of interaction. It creates a bridge, allowing children to communicate effectively now while potentially developing verbal skills later. The goal is always effective communication, in whatever form it takes.

Setting Realistic Expectations and Celebrating Every Step

The journey of a non-verbal child towards communication is unique, often non-linear, and profoundly personal. There will be periods of rapid progress, and sometimes plateaus, which are all normal parts of development. It’s vital for parents to set realistic expectations and, most importantly, to focus on celebrating every small step forward, no matter how minor it may seem.

• Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Every new sound, every shared glance, every pointed finger, every attempted gesture is a victory. These small achievements build confidence and reinforce the pure joy of connection. Recognize and praise the effort, not just the outcome.
• Embrace All Forms of Communication: Whether it’s spoken words, gestures, pictures, sounds, or the use of an AAC device, validate and respond enthusiastically to your child’s attempts to connect. The overarching goal is effective communication and connection, not exclusively spoken speech.
• Cultivate Patience and Persistence: Language development is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be good days and challenging days. Your consistent love, unwavering support, and persistent encouragement are the most powerful tools your child has on their journey. Trust in their potential and your capacity to support them.

At Speech Blubs, we are dedicated to fostering a love for communication, building confidence, and reducing frustration for children and families alike. We strive to create joyful family learning moments, understanding that the benefits of our process extend far beyond just uttering words. We believe in providing powerful tools that supplement your child’s overall development plan, giving them a voice to “speak their minds and hearts” in whatever way works best for them, fostering connection and mutual understanding.

Empowering Your Child’s Communication Journey with Speech Blubs

We understand the hopes and challenges that come with nurturing a non-verbal child’s communication. That’s why we’ve poured our personal experience and scientific expertise into creating Speech Blubs – a tool designed to make this journey more effective, engaging, and joyful. Our app offers hundreds of activities that use our proven “video modeling” method, where real children model sounds, words, and phrases, making learning intuitive and fun. It’s a true “smart screen time” alternative, fostering active participation and family connection over passive viewing, turning screen time into a powerful learning opportunity.

To get the most out of Speech Blubs and our commitment to your child’s development, we encourage you to explore our subscription options. We believe in transparency and providing exceptional value for families.

• Our Monthly Plan is available at $14.99 per month.
• However, for the best value and a truly comprehensive experience, we highly recommend our Yearly Plan at just $59.99 per year. This breaks down to an incredible $4.99 per month, allowing you to save 66% compared to choosing the monthly option!

The Yearly plan isn’t just about significant cost savings; it’s about unlocking the full potential of Speech Blubs and giving your child the best possible resources:

• You’ll receive a 7-day free trial to experience everything we have to offer, risk-free, before committing.
• It includes full access to our exclusive Reading Blubs app, further enhancing your child’s early literacy skills alongside their speech development.
• You’ll get early access to new updates and a dedicated 24-hour support response time, ensuring you always have the latest features and prompt assistance whenever you need it.

The Monthly plan, while flexible, does not include these valuable benefits, such as the free trial, Reading Blubs app, or priority support. We’ve structured our Yearly Plan to give your family the most comprehensive and supported path to communication success.

Conclusion

The question, “When do non verbal kids start talking?” is less about a fixed timeline and more about understanding the rich and varied ways children learn to communicate. From the earliest gestures and sounds to imaginative play, every step in a non-verbal child’s journey is profoundly significant. By recognizing these early indicators, implementing supportive strategies at home, seeking professional guidance, and embracing alternative communication methods, you empower your child to find their voice and connect with the world around them. Remember that every child’s path is unique, and progress comes in many forms. Your patience, love, and active engagement are the most powerful catalysts for their development.

At Speech Blubs, we are honored to be a part of your family’s communication journey. We invite you to experience the difference our scientifically-backed, peer-modeled approach can make in fostering your child’s confidence and joy in communicating.

Ready to nurture your child’s communication with joy and confidence? Start your 7-day free trial today by creating your account! We encourage you to choose our Yearly plan to unlock all features, including the Reading Blubs app and priority support, ensuring your child gets the most comprehensive support from day one. You can also download Speech Blubs directly on the App Store or the Google Play Store and select the Yearly plan to begin. We’re here to help your child speak their mind and heart, empowering them every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What does “non-verbal” truly mean for a child?

A1: A non-verbal child is generally understood as one who has not yet developed functional spoken language to express their needs, wants, or ideas. However, “non-verbal” does not mean they cannot communicate. Many non-verbal children use a rich array of gestures, facial expressions, body language, sounds, or alternative communication systems (like pictures or apps) to interact with their world. The focus is on finding how they communicate effectively and celebrating every attempt.

Q2: Does using an app like Speech Blubs replace professional speech therapy?

A2: No, Speech Blubs is designed as a powerful supplement to professional speech therapy, not a replacement. Our app provides a fun, engaging, and consistent way for children to practice communication skills at home, reinforcing concepts learned in therapy through our unique video modeling approach. It’s a tool to empower parents and children between therapy sessions, fostering a love for communication and building foundational skills, but it should be used in conjunction with guidance from a qualified speech-language pathologist.

Q3: What if my child doesn’t start talking by a certain age?

A3: Every child develops at their own pace, and there’s no single “right” age for all children to start talking, especially for those who are non-verbal or minimally verbal. If your child is not speaking by 18-24 months, or if you have any concerns about their communication development at any age, it’s crucial to consult with your pediatrician. They can recommend a developmental assessment and refer you to specialists like speech-language pathologists, who can provide tailored guidance and intervention plans. Early detection and support are key.

Q4: How important is early intervention for non-verbal children?

A4: Early intervention is incredibly important for non-verbal children. The brain is most adaptable and responsive to learning during early childhood, making the period from birth to age five a critical window for development. Starting interventions like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or behavioral support as early as possible can significantly improve a child’s communication skills, social interaction, and overall developmental outcomes. Early support helps address potential delays, build foundational skills, and provides parents with strategies to effectively support their child’s unique communication journey.