22 Month Old Not Really Trying to Say Any Words....

Hello S.. I am a former early childhood educator and now a full time stay at home mom. My experience with toddler aged children is extensive and your situation is not uncommon. Most young toddlers are still experimenting with words and sounds and are still trying to make sense of their world. Some toddlers are more expressive than others. The ones less expressive are not "slow" or behind in their development. Most Child psychologist and pediatricians agree that children should have full vocabulary and word development by the age of five. As long as your child is able to understand you and follows instructions well chances are they are on point with their development and cognition. Only children who may experience delayed reactions or no reaction at all is cause for concern. But being a mom I know you probably will seek professional council and thats totally normal but all in all don't worry. Just give your precious one room to grow. Stay Blessed!..L.

1 mom found this helpful

S. ~
My grandson just turned 2 in January and was the same way. He totally had his own language, and was very adamant sometimes...it was pretty funny! The past few weeks he has totally exploded with language! It's amazing how everytime I see him, he's saying more and more! He is parroting pretty much everything.

So just give him time, he's fine. Talk to him...if he points at things he wants, just say the words to him so that he will associate that.

D.

S.,

My little guy was almost 3 before he started speaking in adult words and not his baby babble. We really worked with him and taught him the words to everything, but your son needs to find something to motivate him to make that first step. We were really frustrated until the end of hunting season when my husband bagged three deer and hung them in the tree in our back yard to process. That was when our son started talking - his very first word was "buck" and then "deer tree". Although for the longest time he thought deer came from trees! LOL!. =)

If it is not too stressful for your little guy, and you know for certain that he can say the words you want him to, then start to insist that he cannot have what he wants unless he asks for it by name. Such as "juice", "snack", "truck", etc. In the beginning he will have temper tantrums while adapting to the new rules, but eventually he will get the hang of it. Pretty soon he will be talking so much that you will need to teach him how to take turns and about "quiet time". =)

However, your son may not be developmentally ready for talking yet, so if the game is too stressful you will need to stop and just be patient. Continue to teach new words and talk to him in adult words - no baby talk - and eventually his body and his mind will come together and he will start talking.

Good luck with your little boy.

-C..

Hi S.,

I had the same problem with my twins, they have a "twin language" and were not talking much besides that to each other. So I called EarlyOn, they came out and evaluated them and told us that they were behind and helped us find somethings to help them start talking more. They were very nice and friendly and my kids warmed up to the ladies right away. They only problem is that EarlyOn only helps out until they are 3. They did say however that they would tell us groups and such that we could go to, to still get them help after 3. Being that your son is almost 3 I would call them right away and have them evaluate him and then they should be able to tell you some groups that you can take him too for extra help. For them to come out talk to me, then come back and evaluate them, then come back and tell me their findings and recomendations, it took about 3-4 weeks. The number is 1-800-EarlyOn. They will send it to your local school district and they will call and set up an appt with you. Good Luck:o)

S.,

I have 5 boys and the youngest is 26 months old. He doesn't say much either. A few clear words off, hot, up, mama, dada, but none of my boys became chatterboxes until about age 3.

If he is understanding pretty much all you are saying, and he is babbling I wouldn't worry too much about it. Don't make it a battle, but you can encourage him. Even though he's not repeating it back to you yet doesn't mean he isn't taking it all in and processing it. We sometimes need to spell in front of our little one if we don't want him to know what we're talking about!

22 months is still pretty young to expecting a whole lot of speech yet, especially from a boy. Remember all children develop at their own pace, and most likely you will be suprised once he starts talking and won't stop.

I'm not sure your son is hitting the milestones he should, and maybe it is time to get a medical opinion to see if he needs a speech evaluation. The first step is to check his ears/hearing, and if that is okay, to do a speech evaluation. Sometimes a quick intervention with a little speech therapyis all that is needed to get them on the right track. We missed those 'symptoms' in one of my children, and didnt' catch uit until 5, which meant holding back a grade. Proactive is best! Good luck!

My son was that way and he ended up with a speech delay. Call your local intermediate school district and have him evaluated. It is free and it couldn't hurt. They can tell you if he is truly behind or not. If he qualifies for speech therapy, again it is free. Good luck and God Bless!

Hi S., Obviously you should do as the others said and have him checked for physical issues first and foremost. I would assume he does not have hearing problems if he seems to understand you. However, won't know until you go to the dr. On a different note, try not giving him what he wants until he asks or makes a real effort. Don't make it easy. my niece was older and my sister would give her a cup of milk even if she pointed at it. She did not feel the need to talk. Once it was brought to her attention that she was doing that. It was a miracle she started to talk.Worth a try. Good Luck.

Hey S.,

Go have your little one evaluated. Make sure that there are no physical problems. Once my son got his tubes put in, he was a talking machine (but wasn't saying as much before age 2), although I knew that he understood as well. Boys often are slower with communication. My daughter who just turned 2 yrs old talks in six word sentences (girls are just different). Also, have him checked out for any speech/mental health issue. He probably is just a little behind, but within the realm of normal, but better to know what you are dealing with, right? Hope that's helpful. Take care. Enjoy the beautiful weather! *C. (WAHM Erik 3 1/2 yrs old and Betsy 2 yrs old).

p.s. love your name. Almost named our daughter S. (:

Hi S., Einstien didn't start to speak until he was 5, I guess too much going on in his head at the time. LOL The good news is he can hear, so you know it isn't that. Time is the only thing that he needs, and love and support from you. Don't try to force it, when he starts you may just wish for the peace and quiet again. LOL Good luck.

I am not an expert here, but...my daughter is 16 months old and only will say "mama". At her 15 month check-up, our pediatrician said that if she is not talking around 10 words (IE - dada, up, dog, hi, etc.) by her 18 month check-up then she was going to send my daughter for a speech evaluation. Maybe it's worth taking you son to the pediatrician for an evaluation? Good luck!

Hi S.,
My son didn't talk much either, but when he turned 2, it was like someone threw a switch and he started using all the words he had locked inside. I wouldn't worry too much yet, and you can always check with your pediatrician when he goes in for a checkup to make sure he's close to his milestones.

If you're not already, try getting him into a playgroup or other social situation where he can be around other children. Also, keep encouraging him to "use a word" instead of grunting. He'll be talking up a storm in no time and you'll wish he was more quiet again! : )

Good Luck!
S.

Hi,
Have his hearing checked, and call Early On through your school distrcit to have him evaluated. I did both for my daughter, she needed tubes, plus she had a evaluation by the school district. She needed tubes,she did not qualify for speech therapy. He may not be able to hear, lots of articles that boys talk later but I would still have it checked out.
My daughter is coming along, but I know she is a bit behind in her speech.
Hope that helps.
L.

Hi S.!

Have to talked about this to your child's doctor? They may have some good insight. Usually there is a well-child check-up at about 2 years old. (Yippee - more shots) My child's doctor told us about how his older brother always spoke for him and that he really didn't talk until he was three. He was slow. He just didn't have a need to speak. He is a really good doctor, too. He could just be stubborn, too. And, this is one thing he can control. Just a thought. Hope this helps! D.

If your real worried I would ask your pediatrician. But I wouldn't worry about it I had a son who really didn't say too much he scoped everyone and everything out. The pediatrician made me put him through speach therapy he was 3 1/2 and all of a sudden one day he just started talking he answered me when i ask him questions and he just started zumming his cars and gabbing. It was like a light switch. I don't know why. But he is like my grandfather and if we are with people he doesn't know he scopes the place and everyone before talking. But talk to your Pediatrician and see what he says and than follow your gut. Good Luck!