Advice on Toddler Not Talking Much Yet

Hi T.,

Remember, every child is different. So please try not to compare your child to other children (so hard, I know). It will only make you more nervous to know what other children are saying when yours isn't saying much. And he's a boy - so you especially can't compare him to girls.

I think it's great that your son knows what words mean. That's very important.

Take the pediatrician's advise and get the intervention. I hear that it works wonders and those children do very well very quickly. He'll be a chatterbox before you know it. Good luck!

My son is very active & was not into speaking at all! He was walking at 8 months, running & flipping at 9 months & potty trained at 18 months. But he had no urge to say words. My pediatrician was concerned so at 18 months, (only 3 words, Mama, Dada & spiderman) we had the interviews for early intervention & he didn't qualify. I was never really concerned, but the fact that the doc & his day care provider were - it made me nervous. So again at his 2 year check up, he was supposed to be saying at least 50 words & at least 3 word sentences - he was still only at the 3 words. We were again referred to early intervention, but couldn't coordinate the interviews. Then all of a sudden, 1 month after his 2nd birthday, he starts repeating - everything.
Your son will talk when he is good & ready. I know it is difficult with the pressures of "he should be at this level & saying this". Super Y is a great program on PBS, really all the programs on PBS will help. As will being around other children. My son started daycare at 20 months & everyone said he would talk shortly thereafter. It took awhile & a lot of frustration because nobody knew what he wanted at school. But we would pronounce every little item & if he pointed to something, we would name it. It will happen. He was very excited when we could understand him. And now he won't stop!
Believe in yourself as a parent & trust your instincts. If deep in your gut, you think he may have a problem, there is no harm in having him interviewed - it is free. Einstein didn't talk until he was 5 - look how well he turned out.
Best of luck!

It never hurts to have someone come do an evaluation to see if he can benefit. They will teach you things too. Please don't worry about it too much. My pedi said that kids that are behind in one area are usually ahead in the other. I bet your son is developing his motor skills, not verbal skills. Mine was the opposite, he developed verbal skills but motor was far behind. He's four now and is all caught up. Hope all goes well.

well that seems a bit early to me.
Especially since he is able to say some words.
I would say that at this age as long as he is able to understand you and follow basic directions (like can you get the ball?) He is ok. My nephew didn't really start talking until he was 2.5 and he is about to turn 3 and you would barely be able to tell.
My sister had him evaluated around 2.5 and they said he was border line and didnt' qualify for services.
But- I also don't think an evaluation ever hurts, either.
What does your gut say?

My son, who is now three, was late talker. I was worried and had him evaluted after speaking to his doctor, at 18 months and again at 2 years. Both times they said he did not qualify for services, even though he had only a couple of words. If you think there may be a problem, have him evaluated. It is free through the county and if there is a problem the earlier you start services the better.

Early Intervention can't hurt. It's not a bad idea to have someone evaluate him..

My girls are 20 months and talking in sentences. no 2 kids can be compared, but I beleive at that age the standard they say is like 10-30 words and starting to string 2 together..

T.,

I definitely agree that early intervention is a good thing. It certainly cannot hurt. My daughter had physical therapy through that program for 2 years and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I have a 19 month old who talks a lot, but every child is different and boys tend to be slower...that's why it is so good to get an early intervention evaluation...they see a broad range and can tell you if your son is actually behind and would benefit from therapy.

The other thing is, some people just aren't talkative. I have a friend whose son didn't start talking until almost 4 years old, but he is very smart and there weren't any speech issues. He is 17 now and rarely talks...he is just a quiet person...that is his personality. So it could just be a personality thing too.

The only thing I would worry about as far as not taking him to EI for an evaluation...if your doc wants you to do it and you refuse, and then it turns our there is an issue, he could potentially turn you in for neglect...ridiculous I know, but they do have that right, so I'd be careful about that.

D.

At our oldest 18 months appt doctor asked me how many sentences he said....I could count words he said on 1 hand.....now at 3 1/2 he tested as advanced in his speech. Our youngest is 19 months old, he says: no, mama, that......that's it. I do not worry since I know he is just like his brother.When our God son was 16 months old, my husband would have an hour long discussion with him about a game(whatever they were watching).And he came from rough background where his mom was on druggs and he was left to himself a lot. SO I really think it depends on the child, you can ask him to repete words, but he will do it whenever he is ready.