16 Month Old Boy Not Talking

If by 21 months he is still not saying anything, you can start the process of having him evaluated. He also does not need to talk because he has his brothers. I would not be concerned right now. Like you said they all develop at different times. He understands everything. Enjoy him and before you know it he will be talking non stop. Does he babble. Did he babble as an infant? If he did not, and was silent, that would be a bit more concerning. My grandson did not babble at all. Silent. Is getting speech twice a week and unfortunately it is going very slow.

This is a great subject to bring up at your upcoming 18 month well baby checkup! It is only 2 months away, and I think it can wait until then. It is a good thing that he can understand you, and he might just be a little lazy on the talking if he is able to get away with it. With that said, My son was talking much more than your son at the same age, but like you said all kids are different. I have also heard that many children who have older siblings tend to talk later or less than the older ones because the older ones tend to speak for them. There is not as much of a need to speak. If you can work on the pacifier, that would be great, because that also might be something that he is using as an excuse to not talk. Keep reading to him and chatting with him as much as you can, I am sure he will come around!

Oh yeah, my cousin was worried about her son not talking very much, got him tested at 2.75 and was referred to the district speech therapy class when he turned 3. In the few months that passed he went from almost not speaking to speaking 4 word sentences! Sometimes kids understand everything and then one day will have a language explosion and start saying so much more. If I remember correctly, There is supposed to be a language explosion some time around 18 months, so there is a good chance he will start talking your ear off soon!

If he understands, I would not worry at all!

However, if you want, its free to get an evaluation from early intervention. Look up the services in your area.

My second kid needed it and still has speech issue. My 4th was a non-talker, could talk, understood perfectly, but just didn't see the need (much as I expect this is your son). I still got services for her, because, it was creating temper and power issues between us....she didn't want to talk, I needed her to so we could know what she wanted/needed, but little miss stubborn would rather cry, LOL! It did help, within months she was really talking. (isn't it amazing what kids will do for anyone but their parents) But this was closer to 2 years old when we got services.

Checking couldn't hurt! But I wouldn't worry.

Each State has an Early Childhood Intervention program.
Up until 3 years old, any services are free.
They do an overall developmental evaluation. It is free.
If they find that he is speech delayed or whatever, you can choose or not, to have them help you/him.
It is your, choice.

My son, from 19 months old, had speech therapy via this service. He was fine and even advanced in several areas for his age, but was speech delayed. So I chose to have their services. They came to my house. It was fun and helpful and my son LOVED it. It is play, oriented. But with a Speech Therapist. My son and I, learned a ton... about speech development.
I did not have to get referred by a Pediatrician. I just called them myself.
It is free. So that is why, I figured I would call them, for my son.

It is up to you.
What does your Pediatrician say?
Your son must have had his 15 month check up?
Or there will be one at 18 months old, too.

Sure, all kids develop talking differently.
My daughter talked early.
My son was not yet talking much. That is why I called my local organization about it. And it was free.
Speech delays have nothing to do with intelligence or not or whatever.
But the evaluator also will rule out other issues, per speech. And see, if your son is needing help or not. From a professional standpoint. Not just guessing.

My son LOVED his speech therapy. It is not intimidating at all. They make it fun, for the child and parent.

*In California, the program is called "Early Start." (I think). Here is the link:
http://www.php.com/services/early-intervention-infants-to...

My pediatrician told me to have my son's hearing and understanding checked at 18 months old if he still wasn't talking (so I think you're a little bit worried about it).

He didn't even have Mama or Daddy by 18 months, so we took him in. His hearing was perfect and his comprehension was that of a three-year-old, so the doctors told us to come back if he didn't have at least 50 words by his second birthday, and they would begin speech therapy at that time.

He said his first word at 22 months old, and easily had 50 words by 24 months. He gave up his paci right before his third birthday (he was very addicted, too), and he taught himself to read (not just a few words, actual books) when he was three, too.

I personally think it's too early to be worried about this, but talk to your pediatrician about it at the 18-month check-up, just to make sure. If you have signs that he may have other problems, you might want to get it checked earlier, but if everything is normal except for the talking, just bring it up the next time you see the ped.

It's too early for this to be a problem, particularly if he understands simple instructions. Give him time. If he's really not talking by 2yo, have him evaluated.

Like your second, our first came out of the womb talking and enunciating clearly (ok. slight exaggeration). But our second was a very late talker and still cannot say certain sounds (she's 3yo). I had her evaluated at 2yo, but she was not enough off of the curve for services. I'm thinking she'll eventually need speech therapy, but we're in a wait and see mode. She recently had tubes put in her ears to fix a chronic fluid/hearing problem, so that might do the trick (now that she can actually hear the "s" and "f" sounds, maybe she'll learn how to say them!).

He probably should be saying more than dada but he is too young to be overly concerned yet. I would ditch the paci though since it does impact some children. Plus, you say he understands...what does he understand? At 16 months, they really don't understand much, honestly. Do you mean, if you say where is mommy he points to you? I would watch him and if he is not talking more then call Early Intervention before he turns 2 because the expectations are much higher at 2.

The paci might have a little to do with it but one of my sons didn't talk until he was 3 and at that time came out with full sentences. His hearing is good because he understanding you. I think he's fine.

It's great he understands so much! Does he babble a lot? Make car sounds and animal sounds, popping noises or humming sounds etc when playing? If he is too quiet , have him evaluated. My late talker was also very quiet when playing, he enjoyed listening to music but never attempted to hum along, never made much noise when playing, but like your son understood everything. He was evaluated by the state at 24 months and received very low cost therapy to increase his speech.

Has he had many ear infections? This is common in kids with MANY ear infections.

Does he have to ask for things or do you just magically know what he needs and he gets it?
When eating, does he get choices? or do you just make lunch for the 3 kids and put it in front of him?

My brother was similar. My mom had him tested and sure enough he could talk when prompted, he just chose not to because our sister (a year older) did all the talking for both of them. To this day, he just goes with the flow. It took him 18 years to mention that he didn't like chocolate cake (during his birthday party). Why? No one ever asked him what he wanted. He would come home and either my mom or sister had decided to make him a cake and THEY wanted chocolate. So he just ate it and didn't say anything. It took him 20 years to decide he didn't like what my parents had for Thanksgiving dinner. Why? He hadn't had a Thanksgiving meal away from home before college. He didn't stop to think that there were other choices.

If you are really concerned, talk to your pediatrician during your next visit.

My 2 year old son barely said one word. He's now five and an awesome talker with advanced vocabulary and grammatical for his age-we never did any early intervention. I can't count how many friends and relatives had sons who didn't talk well before 3. The milestone for this is WAY OFF. If you sense some sort of comprehension problem or a feeling in your gut, then check him. I personally wouldn't sweat it though at 16 months AT ALL.