Is It Normal for My 3-Year-Old to Not Be Talking? When to Be Concerned and What to Do

The Learning Curve
Jul 2
2 min read

Updated: Aug 1

It’s a question many parents ask :“Is it normal for my 3 year old to not be talking?”

At age 3, children typically start speaking in short phrases, asking questions, and using language to express their needs. If your child isn’t talking much — or at all — it could be a sign of a speech delay, or it might be part of a broader developmental condition such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

At The Learning Curve Centre, we help families make sense of these early signs through evidence-based assessments and early intervention, including ABA therapy for children with speech and communication delays.

What Should a 3-Year-Old Be Saying?

By age 3, most children can:

Say 2–4 word phrases (e.g. “want more juice”)
Use 200+ words
Ask simple questions like “What’s that?”
Follow basic instructions
Be understood by parents and caregivers most of the time

If your child is not speaking at all, uses very few words, or seems to struggle to understand language, it’s important to explore why.

Could It Be Autism?

Not all speech delays mean autism — but it is one of the early signs.

Here are possible signs of autism in a 3-year-old:

Limited or no spoken words
Doesn’t respond to name
Avoids eye contact
Does not point, gesture, or show shared interest (e.g. not showing you a toy)
Repetitive behaviours (like hand-flapping or lining up toys)
Prefers to play alone or seems unaware of others

It’s important to note: Every child is different. Some children with autism are very verbal, while others are non-verbal. A comprehensive assessment is the best way to understand your child’s developmental profile.

What Else Could Cause a Speech Delay?

In addition to autism, speech delays at age 3 can be due to:

Hearing loss
General developmental delay
Language processing difficulties
Limited language exposure at home

What Can You Do?

If you're concerned, early intervention is key. Research shows that support before age 4 can lead to better communication, learning, and social outcomes.

Here’s what we recommend:

Book a developmental screening – This helps identify if your child is showing signs of autism, speech delay, or other needs.
Consult with an early intervention team – Centres like The Learning Curve offer personalised support for speech and language concerns.
Consider ABA therapy – ABA is highly effective in helping children with autism or speech delays build communication skills in small, meaningful steps.

How ABA Therapy Can Help

At The Learning Curve Centre, our ABA programs focus on:

Teaching children to request their needs (even non-verbally)
Expanding vocabulary and spoken language
Building social communication and eye contact
Reducing behaviours that may block learning
Supporting parent involvement to ensure progress at home

Whether your child is non-verbal or has limited speech, we design a step-by-step plan based on your child’s unique learning style.

Still Wondering, “Is It Normal for My 3-Year-Old to Not Be Talking?”

Trust your instincts. While some kids may catch up naturally, speech delays should not be ignored — especially if other developmental concerns are present.

We’re here to guide you with compassion, clarity, and proven strategies.

📞 Call us at 01162198538📍 Located in Bandar Sri Damansara & Petaling Jaya🌐 Learn more or book a consultation Here