20 Month Talking and Balance Trouble

One of my sons started walking around the same time as yours and he kept falling and hitting his head. I don't recall him having a speech problem at that time but I took him to two different orthopedics because the way my husband and I feel is if there is something wrong then they should have it fixed when they are as youung as posssible. Both doctors said he had what is called intoeing and he should grow out of it by the time he is eight. I didn't trust that so we also took him to SHriner's hospital and they took x-rays and everything and agreed with the other doctors but I felt satisfied because they actually took the time to look at Chase. They also said that kids and adults walk different such as kids walk like they are on a tightrope and adults like they are on train tracks and that possibly his brain is faster than his feet. Needless to say we felt better knowing it was ok to have a little tripping they said to just try to make sure he didn't hurt his head too much and if it did get worse to let them know. A few weeks went by and Chase started to not fall so much. We love our son which I am sure you love yours as well, so we took him to the specialists till we were satisfied that Chase was fullly examined and given the ok sign that he was normal and didn't need braces or anything else. Its better to ask the questions now then wonder later. Good Luck

I would definately recommend getting his ears/hearing checked by a ENT specialist. Ear and hearing problems could be a possible cause of his delayed vocabulary, mumbling, and coordination.

Has your son had any ear infections? My oldest didn't walk until he was 17 months old and didn't really talk until he was almost three. He had so many ear infections, he couldn't hear well and his equilibrium was way off. Then they put in tubes and he was fine until they fell out and we started over again. So they put in a second set. MUCH BETTER! Speech therapy is helping, but he's 100% better from where he was. He's also got learning disabilities. If the doc wants to send him to a specialist...don't fight it. It's better to have everything checked out and given the ok rather than not do anything! Good luck!

Hi,
I don't want to scare you either, but you have nothing to lose by getting your son evaluated, and I would definitely recommend it. If they find there to be trouble, early intervention is your best key to his happiness!! We have a little boy with something called Apraxia, this effects his oral motor skills and often all-over motor skills. His prognosis is great, he'll be typical at some point, but it had to be addressed for him to get the help he needed. You have a world of hope to gain by this eval., so please move forward, and let us know how it goes! Often these things are mistaken for a hearing issue and they just may not be, but it doesn't mean your child is any less than perfect. Our little boy is amazing, we couldn't love him more, he just has different challenges from most kids his age.
And you might just find out from the evaluation that it really is something simple like his ears!!

Please let us know what happens, we'll be thinking about you and your little one!

My daughter has similar problems (she's 22 months) and there's no need to be overly concerned. It can be as simple as ear fluid issues or what my daughter has is Low Muscle Tone. Its correctable with physical and speech therapies. Don't let that scare you -- there are programs in nearly every community called Infant & Toddler Early Intervention and they help correct these issues while they are small so they don't have any problems when they get older. My daughter is now on only speech therapy and she is doing incredibly well. We saw a pediatric neurologist to help us with this and they are really great and helpful. Don't worry, good luck and let me know if you have any further questions... I've been in your shoes!

I would go ahead to the specialist you have nothing to lose and only positive things to gain. My neigbor had a son that had a speech problem that they didn't address until he was close to 4. He is 5 now and still hard to understand. We all thought he may have had a hearing problem, which he didn't. Good luck

Sorry to be truthful (I think that is what you want)I would definitely be concerned. This could be something mild (did you have trouble delivering?) or moderate or severe.
If this turns out to be nothing, you will be relieved but your pediatrician did the right thing by referring you to a specialist. At the same time if it is something, you can get help early on. This can be a number of things and I don't want to frighten you but I would definitely bring him to that specialist. Also, get as many opinions as it takes.
Good luck!

You're in Shelby and will probably be referred to the CDSA. My son is going through them due to him being developmentally delayed. They're a great place (take all kinds of insurance as well as Medicaid) and they really have the best interest of your child in mind. I'd at least have him evaluated through them. They're a no pressure organization and really are easy to work with. Good luck.

I am not sure about the balancing but my son wasn't talking much either at that age. I thought something was wrong with him as well because by this age my daughter talked up a storm (but she also went to day care). My mom told me that I should just talk to him more during the day.(I don't think we realize that we don't talk to our babies, maybe because we know they won't talk back.) So when I gave him his food I would talk to him like he could understand me (ex: "here you go honey, this is lunch")then I would talk to him about it while he ate and I did dishes.I did this for everything. My son just turned 3 and all of a sudden he is talking a lot.