Speech Therapy for Late Talkers and Language Delay in Dubai
Every child learns to talk at their own pace, but some take noticeably longer to understand words, use words or put words together. At ABLE UK, our speech-language pathologists support late talkers and children with language delay or language disorder in Dubai, combining play-based therapy with practical coaching for parents, in English, Arabic or both.
Late talker, language delay or language disorder?
These terms describe overlapping groups of children:
- Late talker: usually a toddler between 18 and 30 months with fewer words than expected, but whose understanding, play and social skills are developing typically. Some late talkers catch up on their own; others continue to have difficulties.
- Language delay: language is developing in the usual order but more slowly than expected for the child’s age.
- Developmental Language Disorder (DLD): persistent difficulty learning and using language that is not explained by another condition. It can affect understanding, vocabulary, grammar and storytelling, and often continues into the school years.
A speech-language pathologist can help work out which picture fits your child, and whether support should start now or whether careful monitoring is reasonable.
Signs your child may have a language delay
Understanding (receptive language)
- Not responding to their name or to simple words by around 12 months
- Difficulty following simple instructions such as “get your shoes” by around 18 months to two years
- Answering questions in unexpected ways, or relying on routine and gesture to understand
Talking (expressive language)
- Fewer than 10 words at 18 months, or fewer than 50 words at two years
- Not combining two words, such as “more juice”, by around two years
- Short, simple sentences with missing words at three to four years
- Difficulty finding words, retelling events or explaining ideas at school age
Other things that suggest an assessment is worthwhile include loss of words or skills, limited pointing or showing, and frustration when communicating. Our article on how speech therapy helps with speech and language delays covers this in more depth.
How we assess language
We start with a parent consultation covering development, hearing, play and the languages your child hears. The assessment then looks at what your child understands, how they express themselves, how they use language socially and how they play. For bilingual children, we consider both languages, because a child may appear delayed in one language while doing well in the other. Where a hearing check has not been done, we may recommend one.
How we support language development
Play-based therapy
Young children learn language best through play and shared routines. Sessions use toys, books and everyday activities to build attention, understanding, vocabulary and word combinations, following your child’s interests.
Parent coaching
Because children learn most language at home, parents are central to therapy. Our clinicians use strategies from Hanen programmes, including It Takes Two to Talk, to help you build language into daily routines such as mealtimes, bath time and play.
Gestalt Language Processing support
Some children learn language in chunks, or “gestalts”, repeating whole phrases from songs, films or conversations before breaking them down into single words. This is a recognised way of developing language, sometimes described as echolalia. Our therapists can identify gestalt language development and support children through its stages. Read more in our article What is Gestalt?.
School-age language support
For older children, therapy may focus on understanding classroom instructions, vocabulary, sentence structure, narrative skills and the language needed for reading and writing, with strategies shared with school where helpful.
Late talking and oral-motor development
In some children, slow speech development is linked to difficulty coordinating the lips, tongue and jaw rather than to language alone. Our therapists screen for oral-motor and myofunctional difficulties during assessment so that, where relevant, therapy addresses the physical foundation as well as language. This can involve our oral placement therapy and myofunctional therapy teams. Where speech is also inconsistent or effortful, we consider Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
Language delay in bilingual families
Learning two or more languages does not cause language delay, and families do not need to drop a home language. Bilingual children may mix languages or have a smaller vocabulary in each language while having a typical total vocabulary across both. Our Arabic-speaking and bilingual therapists can assess and treat in Arabic, English or both. See our article on speech delays in multilingual children.
Working alongside other therapies
Language delay sometimes occurs alongside attention, play, sensory or developmental differences. Speech therapy can be coordinated with occupational therapy and ABA in the same clinics, and with our ABA support for developmental delay where it is part of your child’s plan.
Language therapy at DHCC and JLT
ABLE UK has supported families in Dubai since 2014, building on 25 years of UK clinical heritage, and is DHA-licensed and DHCC-credentialed. Speech and language therapy is available at our clinics in Dubai Healthcare City (Building 33) and JLT (Fortune Executive Tower, Cluster T).
Frequently asked questions about language delay
When should I worry about a late talker?
It is worth seeking advice if your child has fewer than 10 words at 18 months, fewer than 50 words or no two-word combinations at two years, has difficulty understanding simple instructions, or has lost words they used to say. An assessment will show whether therapy or monitoring is the right next step.
Will my late talker catch up on their own?
Some late talkers do catch up without therapy, but it is not possible to predict reliably which children will. Children with difficulties understanding language, limited gestures or a family history of language difficulties are less likely to catch up on their own, so an assessment is a sensible step.
Does speaking two languages cause language delay?
No. Bilingualism does not cause language delay. Bilingual children may mix languages or know some words in only one language, which is normal. If a child has a genuine language delay, it will usually show in both languages, which is why we assess bilingual children in their languages.
What is Gestalt Language Processing?
Gestalt Language Processing is a way of developing language in which a child first learns whole phrases, or gestalts, often from songs, films or familiar conversations, and later breaks them down into single words and new sentences. Speech-language pathologists can recognise this pattern and support each stage.
What can I do at home to help my child talk?
Get down to your child’s level, follow their interests, comment on what they are doing using short phrases, and leave pauses for them to respond. Reading together and repeating familiar routines also help. Your therapist will give you specific strategies matched to your child.
What is Developmental Language Disorder?
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a persistent difficulty learning and using language that is not explained by another condition such as hearing loss or autism. It can affect understanding, vocabulary, grammar and storytelling, and children with DLD benefit from targeted speech and language therapy and support at school.
Book a language assessment
Talk to our speech therapy team about your child’s understanding and talking, and whether an assessment is the right next step.
More from our speech therapy service:Speech and language therapy overview · Childhood Apraxia of Speech · Speech Sound Disorders · Stuttering & Fluency · Autism & Social Communication · AAC & Complex Communication
Clinically reviewed by Sruthy Sankar, Lead Speech-Language Pathologist at ABLE UK (Master of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, PROMPT Level 3, OPT Level 3 Specialist, Certified Myofunctional Therapist). Last reviewed October 2026.