A.G. asks from Womelsdorf, PA on April 21, 2007
20 Month Old Not Talking - Womelsdorf,PA
My daughter just turned 20 months. Her vocabualary is very limited. She says about 20 words and speaks mostly in gibberish. She understands words, she just doesn't use them. You can tell her to do something and she do it. For instance I'll say "Let's brush your teeth." And she'll stop her playing and run right for the bathroom.
I'm just concerned with the fact that she does not talk, herself. Anyone else have this problem?
So What Happened?™
I've decided to wait it out. Her hearing is fine and she responds well. She just has no interest in Talking too much yet. After hearing her use the word "BYE" for the first time, this week. I think her vobulary is slowly coming into it's own. Thank you all for your advice!
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J.B. answers from Pittsburgh on April 23, 2007
A.,
My son did not start to talk coherently until he was over 2. And it was probably until he was 2 1/2 until people could really understand him. I knew what the sounds meant because I spent so much time with him, but it was mostly one syllables and other gibberish. Can you understand any of what she says? When I took him to his 2 year old appointment, the dr told me that as long as I could understand half of what he said, not to worry.
K.M. answers from Philadelphia on April 22, 2007
A.,
It's not something I would really worry about. My twins are 18 months and my sone doesn't say much at all. My daughter has about the same vocabulary as well. I was a preschool teacher for this age (toddler class) and it's perfectly normal. They understand WAY more than they can say. As long as she is making an effort...that is great. It's so hard for their little mouths to form all those words. Like right now, my daughter is calling every food...Cake. She points to everything and says it. I'm not worried...I don't think you should be either. Hope I was some bit of a help!!!
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J.L. answers from Pittsburgh on April 22, 2007
i was thinking she might be tounge tied, but since you said she can say some words, then thats not it,have her hearing checked, sometimes that could be why, or else she could be like one of my sisters kids, who we were beginning to wonder if he might not be mute, he could say mom dad, eat, but most of it was gibberish, then one day he started talking and hasent shut up since, she just might be waiting to talk your ear off,
L.T. answers from Pittsburgh on April 21, 2007
Your daughter sounds a lot like my two kids.
My 20 month old daughter does the same thing as your daughter - small vocabulary and a lot of gibberish. My son who will be 3 in June also did the same at 20 months. When he was 18 months old I was concerned and talked to the pediatrician. She felt he was a little behind the norm, but said it was good that he understood directions and used facial gestures and hand gestures. She told me to watch him carefully before his 2 year check up and record ANY advances he made, even if it was only one word every two weeks. Sure enough, when he turned two his vocabulary expanded to a few new words every week. Now he doesn't stop talking. LOL! By the time we went to his 2 year check up we agreed that he didn't need any further professional assessments. The theory was that he was putting more energy into walking, playing, climbing, etc. So...I am not to worried right now about my daughter's development since it is mimicing my son's. If however, I haven't noticed any improvement by her two year check up I will speak to the pediatrician then.
Hope this helps ease your mind. But as always, if your instincts are telling you something different, seek help.
H. answers from Pittsburgh on April 21, 2007
My first didn't do much talking very early. She used baby sign language primarily until nearly 2. She finally realized it was easier to just talk and then she did. She basically went right to talking in sentences. She's 3.5 now. Her vocabularly is great. She is still shy and often doesn't like to talk to people she doesn't know, but that isn't all bad.
K.M. answers from Philadelphia on April 22, 2007
A.,
It's not something I would really worry about. My twins are 18 months and my sone doesn't say much at all. My daughter has about the same vocabulary as well. I was a preschool teacher for this age (toddler class) and it's perfectly normal. They understand WAY more than they can say. As long as she is making an effort...that is great. It's so hard for their little mouths to form all those words. Like right now, my daughter is calling every food...Cake. She points to everything and says it. I'm not worried...I don't think you should be either. Hope I was some bit of a help!!!
A.W. answers from Philadelphia on April 23, 2007
Hi A.! I suggest you investigate taking her to a speech therapist. A therapist may be able to help you a lot and answer some of your questions. My son was premature and I guess I was in denial about his speech until he got to kindergarten and the teacher suggested that he receive speech services at school. The speech therapist suggested that he get a hearing test and come to find out, he had a retracted eardrum. He is now in the 1st grade and doing very well. So I'm glad we had a specialist to guide us along because it has helped him a great deal! But for now, just keep talking with your daughter. She is still fairly young. Her vocabulary will probably increase as time goes on. Try not to worry!
K.E. answers from Erie on April 23, 2007
well my son is 28 monyhs and finally said his first word in the beginning if this month, and it was only "uh oh" its good that she is saying some words but if you are still worried you could always get early intervention to help her out.
B.K. answers from Philadelphia on April 26, 2007
Hi A.... My oldest son didn't have any words at 20 months. Our pediatrician recommended a speech eval. Although we were not worried about it we went ahead with it and he received services. We were living in TX at the time, but I'm sure there are similar programs in PA. It was free and the therapist came to our house. He loved it and eventually began talking. We were never sure if it was their influence or he was just ready. I"m not sure where you live, but I do know there is a place called Chester County Intermediate Unit. I think they do speech for early childhood.
Good Luck!
J.R. answers from Reading on April 21, 2007
Hi A.. I have a 3 yr old daugther who also has the gibberish talk and i now take her to speech therpy once a week in berks county its called BCIU and they are great she's had two sesions so far and is talking alil more now but they work great with her. i suggest you take her to a speech therpist for her speech it will help her alot to get more words in her vocabulary i know what your going thru if u need more information feel free to contact me. good luck i know she will in time improve.
Jayda.
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