Child Losing Speech or Language Regression
Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Speech and communication milestones vary widely, and worries about child losing speech or language regression, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Losing words or language skills that your child previously had - known as language regression - is always worth taking seriously. While some temporary "quiet periods" can occur when a toddler is focused on a new skill like walking, true loss of words (especially multiple words over weeks) should be evaluated promptly. About 25-30% of children later diagnosed with autism experience some form of language regression.
Key takeaways
- Losing words or language skills that your child previously had - known as language regression - is always worth taking seriously. While some temporary "quiet periods" can occur when a toddler is focused on a new skill like walking, true loss of words (especially multiple words over weeks) should be evaluated promptly. About 25-30% of children later diagnosed with autism experience some form of language regression.
- Usually normal when: Your baby briefly stopped saying a word or two during a period of intense motor development (like learning to walk) but the words came back within a week or two.
- Call your doctor if: Your child has lost multiple words or phrases over a period of weeks and shows decreased social engagement - request a comprehensive developmental evaluation promptly.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, losing words or language skills that your child previously had - known as language regression - is always worth taking seriously. While some temporary "quiet periods" can occur when a toddler is focused on a new skill like walking, true loss of words (especially multiple words over weeks) should be evaluated promptly. About 25-30% of children later diagnosed with autism experience some form of language regression. At 12-18 months, some parents notice that a baby who was saying "mama" or "dada" seems to stop for a while. A brief pause in word use around the time a baby starts walking is not uncommon - their brain is busy mastering a huge motor skill. However, loss of multiple words, especially combined with decreasing social engagement (less eye contact, less interest in people), is different and warrants evaluation. It is generally considered normal when your baby briefly stopped saying a word or two during a period of intense motor development (like learning to walk) but the words came back within a week or two. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child has lost multiple words or phrases over a period of weeks and shows decreased social engagement - request a comprehensive developmental evaluation promptly.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
12-18 months
Some parents notice that a baby who was saying "mama" or "dada" seems to stop for a while. A brief pause in word use around the time a baby starts walking is not uncommon - their brain is busy mastering a huge motor skill. However, loss of multiple words, especially combined with decreasing social engagement (less eye contact, less interest in people), is different and warrants evaluation.
18-24 months
This is the age window where language regression is most commonly noticed by parents. If your toddler had 10-20 words and now uses only a few, or if they've stopped attempting to communicate altogether, don't wait - request an evaluation. The earlier regression is identified, the earlier supportive therapies can begin. A comprehensive evaluation will typically include hearing testing, developmental assessment, and often autism screening.
2-3 years
Language regression at this age - losing phrases or sentences previously used, or shifting from spontaneous speech to only echolalia - should always be evaluated. At this age, regression can sometimes be associated with a rare condition called Landau-Kleffner syndrome (acquired epileptic aphasia), which is treatable. An EEG may be recommended alongside developmental evaluation.
3+ years
Language regression in a child over 3 who was previously speaking in sentences is uncommon and should be evaluated urgently. Causes can include neurological conditions, hearing loss (which can develop at any age), severe emotional stress, or selective mutism. Your pediatrician will likely refer for a comprehensive workup.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed child losing speech or language regression and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child has clearly lost words they were using consistently - they used to say 5+ words and now use fewer.
- Mention if your child's communication attempts have decreased - they used to point and babble and now do less of both.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby briefly stopped saying a word or two during a period of intense motor development (like learning to walk) but the words came back within a week or two.
- Your toddler uses different words on different days - rotating through their vocabulary is normal and doesn't count as regression.
- Your toddler stops using a word because they've replaced it with a better version (stopped saying "ba" for ball because they now say "ball").
- Your child has clearly lost words they were using consistently - they used to say 5+ words and now use fewer.
- Your child's communication attempts have decreased - they used to point and babble and now do less of both.
- Your child seems less interested in social interaction than they used to be - less eye contact, less sharing of enjoyment.
- Other family members or caregivers have independently noticed that your child seems to be talking less.
- Your child has lost multiple words or phrases over a period of weeks and shows decreased social engagement - request a comprehensive developmental evaluation promptly.
- Your child's language regression is accompanied by new unusual behaviors - repetitive movements, extreme reactions to sensory input, or loss of other skills like self-feeding.
- Your child experiences sudden language loss after a period of illness, seizure, or head injury - seek medical evaluation immediately.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice child losing speech or language regression — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby briefly stopped saying a word or two during a period of intense motor development (like learning to walk) but the words came back within a week or two — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 12-18 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Talk, read, and sing to your baby frequently. Narrate daily activities to build language exposure.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your child has lost multiple words or phrases over a period of weeks and shows decreased social engagement - request a comprehensive developmental evaluation promptly.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is child losing speech or language regression normal?
When should I call the doctor about child losing speech or language regression?
When is child losing speech or language regression normal?
What causes child losing speech or language regression?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about child losing speech or language regression?
Is child losing speech or language regression normal at 12-18 months?
Is child losing speech or language regression normal at 18-24 months?
Should I go to the ER for child losing speech or language regression?
Does child losing speech or language regression go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics. What Are the Early Signs of Autism? HealthyChildren.org. AAP
- [2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. CDC
- [3]National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Speech and Language Developmental Milestones. NIH
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Child Losing Speech or Language Regression.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed child losing speech or language regression and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child has clearly lost words they were using consistently - they used to say 5+ words and now use fewer.
- Mention if your child's communication attempts have decreased - they used to point and babble and now do less of both.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your child has clearly lost words they were using consistently - they used to say 5+ words and now use fewer.
- Your child's communication attempts have decreased - they used to point and babble and now do less of both.
- Your child seems less interested in social interaction than they used to be - less eye contact, less sharing of enjoyment.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child has lost multiple words or phrases over a period of weeks and shows decreased social engagement - request a comprehensive developmental evaluation promptly.
- Your child's language regression is accompanied by new unusual behaviors - repetitive movements, extreme reactions to sensory input, or loss of other skills like self-feeding.
- Your child experiences sudden language loss after a period of illness, seizure, or head injury - seek medical evaluation immediately.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of child losing speech or language regression are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child has lost multiple words or phrases over a period of weeks and shows decreased social engagement - request a comprehensive developmental evaluation promptly.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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If your child was consistently using words and has truly stopped, this is something to act on promptly. Regression - the genuine loss of skills a child previously had - is different from a normal plateau or a toddler being too busy to talk, and it always warrants a conversation with your pediatrician sooner rather than later.