15 Month Old Not Very Verbal

When my daughter was 15 months old the doctor asked us how many words did she know. He said about 10 is normal. You listed 7 that your daughter has. I would think that is fine. Also they can only really work on one thing at a time. Either the motor futions or the brain -IE speach math etc. I would say if she is develping everywhere else give her time. I was a mommy play group a while back there was a little girl just over 2 and my daughter who was about 18-20 months. This child had a hugh vocab I was a little concerned about it. Well I talked to the mother of 3 and my doctor who both said childrens vovab will pick dramacically about two-years old. It does. My daughter turned two last month and she went from matbe 10 -15 words to full sentances. You can say one word and she picks up on it. She can even say her name with a little help she has a hard one - Penelope. But she can say it. Just give you daughter time and she will develope at her own speed.

I wouldn't worry about it too much at her age, but there are things you can do to help like playing childrens song CD's, watching Sesame Street or Blue's clues or Dora where they interact with kids and ask them to repeat words, phrases and sing along or copy what they are doing. Also when she wants something and she just points, say what it is (ex: ball) and say "Do you want the ball? The more verbal you are with her, the better. Teaching body parts is good too and reading the same story book to her several times until she is comfortable with it and feels she "knows" the characters and she may say words from it when hearing it repeatedly. Hope this helps.

Hi there, I know you've already received quiet a few comments, but I work in this field and work with speech therapists everyday. I am a coordinator for the 0-3 program in IL and we give free evaluations to children who might have a delay in development. I would say that 15-18 months is more the time for picking up words (she seems to have quite a few already) then 18-24 is when they start spitting out what they've learned. You're valid in your concern as now is the best time, it is more helpful than waiting until 2 or 3 to be concerned. Slow down your speech. Draw out the first letter "mmmmmilk" and point to your mouth so she watches how you say it. Say one word to each word that she uses. Meaning, if she says juice, say juice please? or more juice? I was told to never say "say", kids just do not want to perform. Animal sounds is a good idea, anything to do with just playing or daily requests. If you are still concerned, find a 0-3 program that gives free evaluations....it can't hurt. Hope these ideas work!

Maybe try reading to her or take her on walks and point to things and explain what they are to her. I know with my son who just turned 2 he was talking about a lot of stuff about 18 months. I've read to him since I've taken home from the hospital.

My advice to any parent with concerns is to have your child tested by a speech-language pathologist. My suggestion in particular to you would be to call the speech therapy clinic on the KU campus (I think they have one)and ask for an appointment. Testing would be completed by students and overseen by licensed and seasoned SLP's. The best part of it all is I think it would be free!! Not knowing your daughter, I would say that there may be nothing to worry about at this time, but getting that testing done would certainly ease your mind. Good luck to you and your family!

I wouldn't worry too much about it, but you may want to mention it to your doctor during your next wellness visit, if anything, just to reassure yourself. My son, Caleb is 19 months and it's been in these last few months that his verbal skills have really taken off. If she's a new walker, it could just be that she is too busy with this new task and all it has to offer to bother with antything else right now

good luck!
:)

I wouldn't worry about it. My daughter was pretty much the same and then all of the sudden at 23 months sentences started coming out of her mouth and she won't be quiet now! It was just like one day she woke up and sentences were popping out. If you are really concerned ask your pediatrician if you have anything to be concerned about.
My husband and I would tell her what things were and have her repeat the word two or three times until she said it correctly. The words obviously stuck with her because at her magical age of 23 months all those words were coming out!
If you do ask her to say things and she doesn't seem to understand you, then maybe she does need a hearing test, but from the sounds of things she is already speaking clearly. She just needs to build her vocabulary. I just took Dora The Explorer (my daughter's favorite show) as an example...she always does/says things in threes. We would just say and have her repeat everything three times. Good luck!

It sounds to me like she is doing great!!!! My friend has a 2 year old that just started speaking! She would speak some spanish but no english and she is american. Just give her some time and she will get the hang of it! My son was the same way. But you can not get him to stop talking now and he repeats EVERYTHING that is said!!!!!! He is a very smart boy...sometimes he amazes me!! She will catch on and it will seem like it happened over night!!! I dont know if you have it or if you have heard of it but there is a chanel called magrack and they have some shows on there that my son just loves...it teaches him first words and colors...they just have a majority of stuff on there! So if she loves tv then that would work miracles! Sit down with her and repeat it to her until she says it back then stop telling her what the things are and wait for her to tell them back to you on her own. That worked on cyrus really well!! He still loves those shows! I am sure walmart or some places like that would have things like that for sale. Magrack has a website but those videos are expensive. They are only 30 min videos and they want $20 for them...but they are worth it!!!! Go to www.sosmart.com...it wouldnt hurt to start from the beg. and look at the 0-3 months either!!

She seems to be pretty typical, but I wouldn't say she's behind. One fun thing that gets them talking is animal sounds. :)

I highly recommend the Parents as Teachers program. Call your local public elementary for more info. It's a free program that helps parents of young kids. I've learned so many things to teach my daughter that I'd never think of on my own.

http://www.parentsasteachers.org/site/pp.asp?c=ekIRLcMZJx...

I would get a hearing test done and then a speech evaluation

My daughter exploded with vocabulary when she turned 18 months. Until then, She said about what yours is saying, and she also knew several animal sounds. She was an earlier talker than most, so I wouldn't be worried. Some kids don't talk much at all until they're two or older. I would check more with what she can understand than what she can repeat.

Kids do learn at different ages. Some kids don't talk as quick, especially if you are doing the talking for her. While learning to talk you should ask her questions. Point to things and ask what it is and she if she can answer you. My youngest daughter is now 5 and has a speech problem. I did not test her early because I thought she would grow out of it. She never did, but kids are all different. She is now in speech classes and doing much better. They say she will have to go to speech for about 2 years. You could get her tested if you would like. You can call the local school district that you are in and they will test her for free. It does not matter if you have a child enrolled in the school or not. It never hurts to get them tested. You may also talk to your ped. about it.

Hey A.. Honestly, since she is talking and saying something at all, she should be okay, but you can talk to your peditrician about it. You can also, if you don't like the Pediatricians answer, you can contact your local Health Department to find out what resources there are. I let it go too long with my littlest one. At 18mths she said nothing. Not mommy, or daddy, or please. Nothing. My pediatrician said its normal for them to open up at 2. So I tried for months to find a program to help us and I didn't look hard enough. Now my little one has been with SoonerStart and is getting better. She had frequent ear infections and wasn't hearing us. So they got her tubes in, adenoids out, and she has really opened up. If you live in OK, you can contact SoonerStart. If you don't, your Health Department can help you.

I would have your pediatrician evaluate her. He can connect you with the right people if there is a problem. Also, check with your local schools to see if there is a pre-school program. They can screen you child and provide any services they may feel your child needs. She is a bit young for that, but she can be put on a waiting list if needed.
Kathy M.