15 Month Old Speech

At the same age, my daughter wasn't doing much but squeeling. She was on target with all her other milestones as well. I had an evaluation done and it came up that she was an only child and really wasn't around other children much. Since children learn by immitation it was recommended that we enroll her in a program where she could spend more time with children her age. She seemed to take off from there. At times we longed for the days when she was quiet ha ha.
As parents we all worry and want the best for our children Hang in there- But for peace of mind have it checked out. There are early intervention programs such as Easter Seals that may be able to help or call your school district and ask them
And that little girl who didn't speak at 15 months is now an intelligent 20 year old sophomore in college that some days seems to never stop talking!

1 mom found this helpful

Well, do you answer for him when he points to things? If so, try getting him to say the word before you give him anything. Otherwise, the ENT is a start. Has he had ear infections? His hearing could be compromised...

C.

Hi K.~
My daugter is about 20 months now. When she was about 15-16 months, she was only using very few words--which mama & dada were NOT part of. Those actually came later. Every baby develops at their own pace. I read baby books and ask other opinions when I have developmental questions, but I never really use anything to "compare" my baby with. It's nice to get opinions, but really every baby/child develops at their own pace. My son, now 5, wouldn't stop talking once he was about 15 months. But, then my daughter, who like I said is 20 months, is just now really starting to communicate verbally. I honestly wouldn't be too concerned.
Hope this helps!!
J.

You are at exactly the same place I was 9 months ago. I had taught my son sign language and he used that proficiently. He communicated so well with gestures, but was not saying words. Here's what concerned me most - he would imitate everything we did - but he really seemed unable to imitate sounds. I am not kidding when I say I sang Old MacDonald about 1 million times - and this child still said a cow said "oooo" instead of "mooo". Even though I got plenty of opinions about it being too early, about him being a boy, and more... I knew there was something up. I started with a hearing test and then had him evaluated. He was diagnosed with an expressive language delay and began getting speech at 18 months old. I am very happy we did that. After 5 months of therapy - 1 hour a week - I am noticing a change. The bottom line is - he is probably fine and you should follow all that advice about MAKING him speak instead of just giving him stuff when he points, and surround him with language - but if your gut instinct tells you he's having an issue - why wait? An evaluation just gives you peace of mind. Good luck and let us know what happens...

Hi K.,

I have just stumbled upon an amazing program called: Your Baby Can Read. I bought it and my 3 month old is completely engaged and having so much fun with it. From birth to 4 years is when language development is most important, and this program is top notch on teaching words, acting the words out, reading the words, etc. The video prompts the infant to say the words after hearing them. I highly suggest it for your son. Actually, I believe this should be standard for every baby. You can get more info on their website: www.yourbabycanread.com. They have a ton of research on the website. I am studying to be an elementary school teacher and the research is right on. Good Luck and I wish the best to your beautiful son.

D. & Family

having done daycare for a LOT of kids that age I would not worry about 15 mos old. If by 18 mos old you still are hearing no more new words, start keeping track of if he is responding to your words when he can't see you. If at 18 mos he isn't acting like he can hear you, then get his hearing checked. If by 20 mos you don't hear words, then get him evaluated for speech. But at 15 mos he is babbling and THAT is appropriate and ok.

N.

My son was the same way! We taught him some signs...he loved them and still remembers them fondly as something he did to talk when he was little! He loves to see his sister use them and uses them with her. He didn't really start talking until he was almost 2 and 1/2 but then it was an EXPLOSION! Just on his own and now he has AMAZING speech, clear, and I get comments from his preschool teacher about his vocabulary and speech for his age. Signing is a great way to give them language without speaking and studies show that it helps with spoken vocabulary later! Keep reading and talking to him and you will be amazed at the change that seems to happen overnight!

Don't sweat it. My guy is 19 months old says mama, uh oh and Amen, and that's it! He vocalizes a lot of sounds though. Doc said boys typically talk late compared with girls. Keep reading simple books to him, he'll catch on!

It's very normal. We just saw our pediatrician for her 16 month check-up and she said 3-5 words is common for this age but not mandatory. Just keep repeating words to your little one and he will catch on. Right now we are doing body part games, naming things like hands, hair, eyes, etc and keep repeating the words while touching those parts. Our daughter is working on sounding those words out even though they don't sound quite right, she's still learning.

My daughter is 15 months old. Recently I learned in my "Everything You Need to Know About Toddlers" book that sometimes children don't say words yet simply because physiologically, their mouths and brain are not able to make those sounds yet... but not because they are any less smart than other children their age who ARE talking or because there is any problem - some children who are talking just physiologically may be a bit ahead, just like some kids crawl or walk sooner, it's when their body is ready to do it.

* Also, perhaps you are extremely attentive to his needs. I've read that when parents are very perceptive to what the baby/toddler needs (for example, if he's hungry, tired, etc.) that child may not be as motivated to say specific words because mommy already knows what he needs! Your son sounds like he is doing so great socially and otherwise, and hopefully he will surprise you with some words when he is ready. I am being serious here, not trying to be silly... Einstein didn't talk until he was three or four.

Your pediatrician doesn't seem too concerned, so I wouldn't be. They develop at their own pace and speed, and it is not uncommon for them to have some skills they achieve on time or ahead of schedule, and have a couple that they don't. I think a lot depends on their general temperant, and I also know that it is not uncommon for them to kind of "pick" things they are interested in so to speak, and just focua on that task until they merit it. Also, it is not uncommon for boys to take a little longer to speak as well. Now, I expereinced the opposite with my two. My oldest, a boy, started saying words for things and pointing at eight months...maybe he couldn't say them correctly at first, but he would watch your mouth form the words, and try and try until he could. He was like that with walking, eating, everything...that's pretty much his personality in general (except when we brought #2 home, then he got lazy lol.) he's like that in school as well (has a hard time with fine motor skills because he's a lefty), but he persists. Now my other one, a girl...I can't tell if she's observant, or lazy LOL. She turned two in August...she hardly spoke a word until then, a few mama's, dada's, uhoh's, etc. (probably around 15 or 16 months). I was really becoming concerned, afterall they always say how girls talk earlier, etc. she would just cry and point to things or go get things. Well, in the last three months the vocabulary has just exploded :) Shortly after she turned two it went from hardly a word, to full on sentences, and I mean five and sic word sentences, and she speaks pretty clearly too!! But that's just her tempermant...she wines and cries, or says nothing when she can't figure out how to do something, then one day she figures it out, and does it like she's been doing it forever. She really didn't crawl, just kind of sat and scooched to things she wanted, she did this until she was a year old. She did a little bit of the pulling up thing, but mostly scooching, until she was 14 1/2 months old...then one day she got up and walked like she had been practicing for months in secret LOL. My point is I guess, is they all have their own ways, and styles of learning things. It's such a big new world to them, and so many things to explore...your son may just be too "busy" (and I know 1st time walkers are extremely busy)to want to talk right now. It will come in due time :) Hope this helps give you some perspective.

From the Easter Seals website:

"Please remember that every child is unique-growing and developing in different ways. Most of the time, differences between children of the same age are nothing to worry about. But for one child in 10, the difference can be related to a developmental delay. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's growth and development, call Help Me Grow/Future for Kids helpline at 1-800-323-GROW (4769). They can provide you with answers."

IF you are even the least bit concerned then take that baby to get tested. It is free and if nothing is wrong then great, but if something is then you know early and have more resources to help your child. My grandmother is a special education teacher and I have heard to many terrible stories of children with Autism or talking problems that were never diagnosed until the child was 5 or older and now a lot of the treatments that could have really helped them arent available. If your worried then you know something is not right. Listen to your instincts they're telling you something

K.,

I was in the same place you are 17 years ago. My son is now 18 years old but when he was around 15 months I asked the doctor why my son is not talking. The doctor said "since you have been in the room he has not had to talk because if he wanted something he pointed at it an you got it for him." The doctor said "he is what I call to smart for his own good." You may ask what does that mean because i did. He said, "Why does he need to talk, he points you get it for him. He looks one way or another your know what he wants. Why should have to waste his energy talking when he does not need to." He was talking by age 2 because we stopped responding to the pointing.
You will probably find as your son gets old he will do things that just amaze you. And i mean things that he knows he will get in trouble for but nothing that is really get in big trouble just little stuff. What our son would do is sit there and think, "how much trouble will I get in if I do what my mom or dad just told me not to do. Is it worth getting in trouble for. And if he thinks it is he will go for it, if it isn't he won't do it."
These are very bright children who do this. They look at everything in a logic way. They are usually are not impulsive and are great only children because they like the attention they get from their parents. They like being around people who are older then them because they tend to like learning things.
I am just guessing but you son is probably not a child who put things in he mouth unless it is food. Children who are logic thinkers tend not to use pacifier's or put toys in their mouths. Does your son like to build things with blocks or giant Lego's? Logical thinkers also tend to look at things in a three dimensional way at a very early age.
If your son is like this you are very lucky because he will probably be a very independent child. Remember these are just my thoughts. I am not a doctor.

Good Luck, S.

you should check with your local school district. they typically do a pre-school screening of children. I can't remember the age, however. Even if your child is too young, they would be able to give you definitive info on what you should be expecting developmentally. I know that when my oldest was about 3, we did this screening for the second time, and they recommended some speech therapy. it worked out great and he never had any problems. he is now almost 20! you might as well take advantage of the tax dollars you spend toward education!

I would definately watch it but 15 months is a little to soon. wait until 18 months- at your child physical they should be doing an M-chat the answers to those questions usually help indicate if your child needs to be evaluated for OT/PT

My 15 month old is the same. She says mama, uh-oh & what's that. Those are the only things she says but she does point to things like your son does. My 1st was also like this at 15 months old and once she started talking, which wasn't for a bit yet, we couldn't keep her quiet. I wouldn't worry at this point, he is only 15 months and seems to be on track with other 15 month olds.

my cousien has a little boy who is a year and a half who doesnt really talk. but when he points to thing they get it for him. so he doesnt have to speak. my cousin learned that when he would just babble she would get him things. and that is why he wasnt talking now that she repeats what she is geting to him he has started to learn new words. my sister in law also had this prob with her now 3 year old. her son didnt not talk but understod them fime. come to find out he didnt hear very well. after haven his hearing tested they put tubes is his ears he started talking his speach was a little off but he is going to speach teacher now. now he can use his words really well. well i hope this helps you

You and daddy need to work on being in the childs face and repeat over and over again what it is you want to teach him. You do mame and your husband does da-de. One word at a time until he knows who is who then move on to pa pa, na na while showing him a photo etc. It's not magic, it's tedious work but well worth it mommy.

My daughter had similar issues, but I didn't talk to her pediatrician about it until she was about 18 months old. We were referred to Easter Seals, who does a free evaluation of speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy, hearing, and nutrition and then provides services through Early Intervention up until the child is 3 yo.

I HIGHLY recommend doing that and it is not too early to get started. As we found out, it can be a quite lenghty process. We contacted Easter Seals in March for the evaluation and my daughter just started receiving services in October!!!!

We lived in Chicago at the time, and there was about a 2-3 month waiting period from the time we called Easter Seals (which you need a doctor's referral for, by the way) and the time we were assigned a coordinator and got therapists lined up. About 4 months had past from the time I called until the coordinator called back to schedule appts for the evaluation. About a week before the appt, I almost cancelled because my daughter started talking a lot and I thought nothing was wrong. I still decided to keep the appt just in case. Good thing I did because during the evaluation, I could see that she was not where she was supposed to be. Being a first time mom and not around other kids her age, I had no clue. She was 23 months at the time, but tested at a 17 month old level.

We have since started services and she is now doing really well. The services took another 4 months to get started, partly becuase we moved to a different area and they were short on therapists.

So bottom line, talk to your pediatrician, and even if he/she thinks it is too early, at least ask for the referral because it can take a while to get started and the clock is ticking to the 3rd birthday. Once they turn 3, there is no free evaluation and I believe that the services are terminated as well.

Hope this helps.

V.

my son will be 15 mnths old on tues. and when we had easter seals in to the center to evaluate kids she just suggested he be screened in another 3-6 mnths and wasn't overly concerned, but then I didn't think about him saying no and uh-oh which he does. Anyway he babbles constantly, and she also told me and the other teacher that it takes a child to hear a word 1000 times to pick it up and say it. Good luck don't sweat it yet. H.

yep and i took him to Larabeda (to a speach therapist)located off of south shore drive)

Sounds like the exact same situation that we were/are in. Our 17 month old still only says uh oh and da da. Our pediatrician finally referred us to an audiologist who then referred us to an ENT who discovered that our son has fluid behind both of his ear drums and he will need tubes put in his ears. He is getting the tubes Dec 1. The doc said that he will be talking very soon after the tubes are put in.
I do not think it is too early to be concerned... Demand that the pediatrician do a hearing test.
Good Luck to you.

I work in Early Intervention as a PT but do alot of crossover with Speech. 15 months is sort of the jump off point for speech. It sounds like he has a good foundation. However, if you are concerned it can't hurt to have him evaluated. You can call the number the PP mentioned and find the office for your county. The evaluation is free of charge(it is paid for by the state). If he isn't eligible they can give you lots of great advice on how to stimulate his language and they can also come back to re-evaluate in three months if he hasn't made progress.

My son just turned 15 months as well and does not say anything other than oh-oh and mamamama...My pediatrician said not to even be concerned until the 18 month check up. His big sister wouldn't let him get a word in even if he did want to talk! No worries - enjoy the silence b/c it won't last long.

Hi K..
When my middle child was 12 months, she was not talking at all. She wasn't even babbling yet. I took it upon my self to get her screened for the Early Intervention program through the state. It's a free service and they will come to your house and do a speech and developmnetal screening to see where your child is at. IF there is a 30% or more delay, they will provide services for a small fee depending on your family;s income. It turned out my daughter had really low muscle tone in her cheeks, tongue and mouth. She needed help with developing her muscles. She received services for a year and is right on schedule with NO speech issues and she's 4 1/2 now. It's worth looking into. They even have the hearing tested as well. Depending on where you live, there are many offices to contact. Mine was the jOliet one because we live in plainfield. Good luck
'

K.,
I am going through the EXACT same thing right now with my son! Our pedi told us at his 15 month check up, that if he was not speaking better, we will have him evaulated. We took him to 18 month check up in October and he still wasn't speaking very well. Our son does say some words, like mom, dad, uh-oh. wow, aloha(sister-in-law taught him that because she was going to Hawaii for her honeymoon!), and he says "where dad go", but pedi still wanted him to get evaulated.
We were told to call Easter Seals' Children and Family Connections and have them come out to our house to evaulate him. Children and Family Connectins evaluated 2 of my friends son's and they are doing great now! We have an appointment for November 18th and they are coming over to our house. This is the number I called for southern Cook County, but if you live in a different county, I am sure they could direct you to the correct place! 800-507-5057.
Call them and see what they are about.
Oh, one more thing. If your son needs any therapies, they will only charge by your household income, but no more than $20.00 a month!
Good luck!
K.

Having read through the many responses you have received, I thought I would add my opinion.

If you are concerned, or just feel like something is wrong, 15 months of age is NOT too early to get an EI evaluation!!!!! Any Mom that tells you otherwise is presenting a personal opinion, instead of scientifically sound advice. I happen to be a Mom who got some not-so-good news from our evaluation. HOWEVER, we have a much better chance at helping my son work things out because we got him involved this early. We are repeatedly told by therapists and our Pediatrician how wonderful it is that we caught things so early -- the earlier your child gets the intervention, the better the chance of "fixing" the issue.

It sounds like things are going very well with your son and that an EI evaluation may not be necessary. If you think that he simply needs some more time, then give him the time -- there's nothing wrong with that! Especially since many children (particularly boys) don't talk until 18+ months. But if something does not seem right (especially if there are other issues in addition to the speech delay), there is no risk or cost to you or your child in starting the EI process.

Only you will know what's right for you and your son. But it's good to know what options are available, isn't it! Best wishes!

Asa mom of a child with severe speech issues, I know how important early intervention can be. However, my second, a boy, didn't start talking until he was 18 months. I asked my daughters SLP about it when he was about 15 months and was only babbling. She thought he was fine. He is a boy, and they do often speak later than girls. Now, at 20 months, he says mama, dada, juice, shoes and even basketball. If he is babbling and putting sounds together, he will probably be fine. You can have a SLP look at him, but most won't until he is around 2 unless there already is a lack of speech. My daughter never babbled and at almost 4 is still not talking. Talk to your doctor and see how long they think you should wait. Good luck!

If you have any concerns, call Early Intervention...they will evaluate him for free. My son has been getting speech therapy since 15 months. I really feel it has helped him a lot.

My son was the same. He did not start talking until he was 18 months. But once he did he started talking in sentences in a week. It was amazing. As long as he is developing normally and has hit the other milestones, no need to worry yet. He may be a late bloomer at speaking but he will catch up quickly. Good luck!

Hi - it sounds as though the receptive language is there and that is a good sign as receptive language comes first. Continue repeating words and working on sounds, etc.

If you do continue to have concerns contact Options & Advocacy of McHenry County (if you are in McHenry county or look up early intervention for your county) and set up an evaluation. Our son had hearing issues due to ear infections and his receptive language wasn't even progressing - he's now two and has been in speech therapy for 6 months - slowly we're seeing progress.

Do not wait and see. Have him evaluated. Take him to a speech pathologist. A.