C.S. asks from Utica, NY on November 17, 2010
Talking for Eleven Month
My son will be turning one on the 30th of this month and I am a lil concerened because he isnt really talking. He will babble and say dadada but not towards dada. He really hasnt said mama. I have read at this age they should be making similar noises trying to speak ex: da for dog or ba for ball. Although he has made some attempt at gramma by saying ga he otherwise hasnt. It seems my other children where a lil more advanced in this area and were speaking earlier. I talk to him constantly as well as try to teach him words.....should I be concerened??
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S.O. answers from Oklahoma City on November 17, 2010
I would not worry at all. My son didn't really start talking until about 22 months old. It'll happen. One year old is still really young to have a lot of words. It's hard not to worry when you compare to other kids. Everyone excels in different areas. Hang in there.
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H.S. answers from Cincinnati on November 17, 2010
I mean absolutely no disrespect- But what on earth do you expect an 11 month old to be saying? You have such a long time before you have to worry! Relax and enjoy your little one. Before you know it, you'll be saying "OMG will he ever shut up!"
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B.C. answers from Norfolk on November 17, 2010
I think you are about a year early.
Talking really takes off after 2 yrs old (and then you'll be missing these non talking days).
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S.O. answers from Oklahoma City on November 17, 2010
I would not worry at all. My son didn't really start talking until about 22 months old. It'll happen. One year old is still really young to have a lot of words. It's hard not to worry when you compare to other kids. Everyone excels in different areas. Hang in there.
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S.H. answers from Honolulu on November 17, 2010
"Babbling" is a precursor, to "talking."
The sound "gra"... as in "gramma" is difficult to 'say' at this stage of development.
"Talking" and enunciation.... is per a child's age and developmental age stage.... it does not all come at one time.
There are 'front of the mouth' sounds, 'back of the mouth' sounds, the tongue/throat/mouth/lips coordination too... in which talking is developed. Not all sounds... are 'mastered' at the same time, and will come with age development.
My son, from 19 months old until close to 3 years old, had Speech Therapy. And this is what I learned from the Speech Therapist.
My son, was simply delayed in speech, but advanced for his age in other developmental areas.
My daughter on the other hand, talked earlier. As girls often do. Boys being later.
But since you are concerned, just ask you Pediatrician.
As an aside, every State has an "Early Childhood Intervention" organization... that does FREE developmental assessments, including for speech, for children up until 3 years old. You do not have to be referred by a Doctor. I just called them myself. Just do a Google search for it, in your area.
Your son, is not yet 1 year old. My daughter at that age, was babbling like yours and saying simply sounds like "dada" and "mama." She was fine.
Again, if you are concerned, just ask your Pediatrician.
Not all kids, develop babbling or talking at the same rates....
For my kids when they were that age, instead of expecting them to say "Grandma".... I let them call her "Nana." Which is easier to say...
For example.
all the best,
Susan
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P.K. answers from New York on November 18, 2010
He sounds like a perfectly normal 11 month old. I would not be concerned.
K.P. answers from New York on November 17, 2010
If you are really concerned, talk with the pediatrician about a referral for an Early Intervention evaluation. Truthfully, it is not uncommon for younger children to speak later b/c older siblings (and parents) tend to speak for them.
You could try:
- introducing some basic sign language to see if he's having trouble communicating in general or simply a late-talker
- "forcing" the use of langauge by requiring him to produce a sound when he wants or needs something. If he wants a ball and he points or grunts, ask him "Would you like the ball? Say, Ball." and wait for a response. Repeat it again and try to get him to utter something. If he does, make a huge deal and had over the toy.
- Talk to him and get him to babble back to you. Again, with the younger children we don't always realize how little we speak to them directly b/c other things get our attention. In the car, point out trees, grass, birds, buildings... narrate your day and get him to respond.
If he's still not generating single word "approximations" in 2-3 months, definitely have him evaluated. It may be nothing, but if he's having a hard time expressing himself you can intervene early with maximum impact and few long-term challenges. You will also head-off some possible behavioral issues stemming from frustration.
R.Y. answers from New York on November 18, 2010
This sounds about right for this age. My 2 kids both said 1 or 2 words at a year (my first one said cat and car by second said cat and throw). My son learned very few words until about 20 months and them something clicked and he was talking away by age 2. My daughter is 22 months now. She only said a few words until around 18 months and now she says many words, including 2 word sentences, and always repeats words to learn them when you say them to her. Also around18 months she also learned to say hi and bye at appropriate times. I know another child who was not saying any words at 24 months (which is the marker to get speech therapy from early intervention). He got speech for about a year and is fully caught up now (age 5). He was also a preemie but I'm not sure if that is relevant.
K.M. answers from New York on November 18, 2010
Not at all! He sounds on target to me. My son talked at a very early age but for some reason didn't say mama or dada for a long time. Now at 3 he wears it out lol. I think its mostly babbling at that age. Like all the other milestones, each child develops at their own pace. Don't worry! I know this is easier said than done. I worried about every little thing.
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