15 Month Old Baby That Doesn't Talk

Updated on March 23, 2010
J.H. asks from Beverly Hills, CA
23 answers

I have a baby boy who will be 15 months old in one more week, who only babbles and says no words yet. Is this normal? At 7 months old he said dada for a couple of days and at 8 months he said mama for a couple of days but then stopped. He is very acticve and willl not sit still. He was walking before his first birthday and climbing things.

He will look at you if you call his name but not all of the time, it depends on what he is focused on. He also like to play with other kids. I pray everyday that he will start to talk, I worry that he could have autism because he is not speaking any words. Please give your thoughts.

Thanks

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D.S.

answers from Tulsa on

mine is 22 months and still doesnt talk except occasionally he has only said 5 words but has tubes in his ears which will effect this. He has had bad ear problems and I know from experience the tubes have to have time to do thier job first. I don't worry about it.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

Buy on Amizon etc. or find in the library:
The Einstein Syndrome
Bright Children who Talk Late.
by Thomas Sowell.

This will make you happy and save a lot of trouble.....
B. v. O.

More Answers

N.G.

answers from Dallas on

I had the same exact worries about my daughter. I thought she was autistic also! Turns out, some kids just wait longer to "come out of their shells" so to speak. My first daughter was a talker from day one, but my second just doesn't have much to say. She is three now, and only in the past couple of months has she started saying sentences, but boy is she on a roll now.

Keep reading to your son, every day, and he will talk when he has something to say! Another important tip is to make sure you're making him ask for things, not just grunting or pointing. If he has an older sibling, make sure they aren't doing the talking for him.

I used to worry about her hearing too. A good hearing test to perform on a toddler is to walk up behind them when you know they can't see you, and say "want a sucker?" quietly. If they don't respond to a candy offer, you know there's a problem. (or something that he gets really excited about)

Hope this helps!

2 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

If you are behind him and call him, will he look at you? If you whisper to him will he respond to your request?

If you are in another room and call for him will he come to you? If so, then you really know his hearing is ok.

The speaking, could be many things. Could be he is just a late talker. Does he walk? Sometimes kids walk before they talk.

If you are really worried at your childs next check up mention it to the doctor.

I spoke to our child nonstop. I asked her questions and gave her a chance to respond. Sometimes she did, sometimes not. When we were at the store, I would ask her, do we want 2 or 3 apples? mmm, where are the carrots. Help mommy find the oranges..

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N.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hi! I'm a speech therapist, and yes boys tend to be later to talk. If your son enjoys playing with and seeks out other children, I would not focus on autism. If you are really worried about it I would talk to your Dr. or seek out an early intervention (birth-3) speech evaluation. If anything it will put your mind at ease. They may also have suggestions for you to give his speech a little boost:) Also, have his ears checked. If he is not hearing that may be the cause of his limited speech. I also love the book "It Takes Two To Talk". It is a guidebook used for a parent program. It is a quick and easy read and would provide you with many ideas to help you encourage your son to talk more. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son who is now 3 years had a similar problem. He could not sit still long enough to play with any one thing for any length of time. He would just move from activity to activity. I called the Orange County Regional Center when he turned two and had him Assessed. They determined that the reason he was not talking was because he was not able to focus long enough to learn to speak. They put him on a program where a tutor came to the house 5 days a week for 2 hours a day. He also had an hour of speech and an hour of Occupational Therapy to help him get out all of that energy so he would be able to sit, focus and learn. Today he talks all the time and commly uses 5-6 word sentances. Good luck and God bless.

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L.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son was not talking at 15 months old either. I had him evaluated by Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino (each county has their own regional center). He qualified as having a speech delay and they started him on free services. He has a teacher that comes to the house once a week and he sees a speech pathologist once a week. He is about to turn three in a few months and has made great strides. He is a normal kid in all other areas of development.

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J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Your son is probably developing just fine and there is no need to worry. For more information on the signs of autism, go to http://www.talkaboutcuringautism.org/learning/aboutautism...

On another note, get Dr. Robert Sears book, The Vaccine Book. There are several things to do in regards to vaccines that every parent should know:
do not get any shots when your child has been sick
do not get any shots when your child is on antibiotics
do not get any shots if your child has ever had an adverse reaction, such as seizures, high pitched unexplained screams, extreme high fevers,
do not use Tylenol before, during, or just after a shot as it puts the immune system on hold and there is a better chance to the ingredients passing the blood/brain/barrier.

Know also that it is ok to delay the shots and never 'make up' because he missed some last time - don't fall for the baloney of getting it all over with so they won't have to be getting more next time. Space them out.

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D.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

My daughter didn't start talking till a little after 18 month, and now we can't keep her quiet ;)

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D.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Normal as far as i know..my son didn't start talking til he was 1 week past 2.5...now he's 4 and he uses big words for a little kid...and no speech problem..i was worried too...and my friend kept saying to me.."just u wait, just wait til he's 2.5" and she was right..so don't fret..work on words with him ...my friend's daughter is turning 3 and she doesn't say much..some kids just take longer no biggie

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T.

answers from Las Vegas on

have him evaluated by your local early intervention office. Your pediatrician or school district can give you the number. services are free and you can self-refer. They can tell you if your son is delayed or within the normal range. Generally we screen for autism starting at 18 months but if you have concerns they can address those too.
T.

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A.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Talk to your doctor he may have a medical problem good luck ad no hills

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K.K.

answers from San Diego on

Hello, This comes up a lot. I have always given the same answer. Our oldest grandson (14 years old) didn't talk for so long. He wasn't speaking in clear sentences until he was three. He is now in all excelled classes getting almost straight A's. Apparently, it made no difference. Our other school aged grandsons talked earlier. The 11 year old has been in the G.A.T.E. program and the 7 year old may pass the other two up in intelligence.
If your son can interract with others, then he is probably just fine. Remember that 15 months is still quite young. If someone is comparing him to their "talking" child, they need to stop.
Good luck with your precious little boy.
K. K.

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K.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son is also 15 months old and says about 4 words mama, dada, baba, and nana. His Dr. said this is normal for 15 month old boys. But if you are concerned request an evalaution. If your son is behind at 18 months of age he can get state-funded speach therapy. Good luck.

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D.B.

answers from Norfolk on

Before you worry about autism, get his hearing checked, particularly if he is prone to ear or upper respiratory infections, and if that is all fine then get Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever and sit with your son and look at the pictures and say the names of everything in the illustrations. When you see the book for yourself you will know exactly how to use it. It is irresistable to children. Read to him A LOT, and before you turn each page, ask him questions like, "Who is on the next page?" or "Where did the bunny go?" or whatever is appropriate, THEN turn the page and read on. You might be surprised what he blurts out! Use this technique with all your children's books. Invite him to participate. And do not be too quick to jump and get him everything he points to. Ask him what he wants. Sometimes make a "mistake." If you hold up two toys and he points to the "bunny," and you give him a bear, he may say, "No! BUNNY!!" Be patient.

You did not mention if he is with you or in childcare. Does anyone talk to him during the day?

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C.H.

answers from San Diego on

our daughter wasn't saying much at that age either. it comes quite quickly as they get near 18/19 months. So no need to worry yet!

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T.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Seems like this is common with active kids. Give him a little more time. If you are really concerned, speak to your pediatrician.

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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

See what the doctor thinks. If the doctor isn't concerned it's probably nothing. If your son understands all the things you are saying to him he might just not be ready to talk. My son doesn't answer most of the time I call him because he's too busy to listen to me (and we've had his ears checked). My husband didn't talk until he was almost 3 years old... he says he had nothing to say until then - there wasn't anything wrong with him but he did have an older sister that would talk for him. I wouldn't be concerned unless the doctor thinks it might be something.

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K.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had this same concern with my son, and a pediatrician who had me so concerned over it that I could hardly sleep at night. As a mom you definitely want to make sure that you don't miss any early warning signs, but I think sometimes we get ourselves a little too worked up.
My son didn't say his first real word (hi!) until he was 17 months old. And even then, new words were slow to follow. I was a complete emotional mess and was torn over having him evaluated for developmental delays. Thankfully, my husband is not easily shaken, and he was able to see that our son was meeting every other milestone, he was healthy, happy, socially engaged, and doing great. He encouraged me to wait just a bit to give our son a chance to go at his own pace with language. I am so glad I listened to him. At around 20 months, our son started picking up words like crazy! It was literally like an explosion. From there it just developed like all children do I suppose. He is now almost three and a half. He speaks in full sentences with great pronunciation and an amazing vocabulary.
It was a very powerful lesson for me about how all children develop at their own pace. I do not mean to imply that some situations do not call for evaluation and intervention. However, I do think that the word autism has a tendency to strike such fear into a mother that we forget to listen and watch our children (at least I did) and let them tell us what they're ready to do, and when they're ready to do it. They are all so amazingly different!

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K.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

I wouldn't worry too much at 15 months. I have twin boys that are 26 months old. One of my boys said about 7 words at 15 months and the other none. When they turned two one said about 20 words and the other about 3. Two months later the one that hasn't really said anything at all tells me all kinds of things and can tell you every letter of the alphabet while he points it out. Now he talks just as much as his brother...when it comes it will come fast. As long as he can hear okay and can follow simple instructions and seems to be able to understand you hes probably fine.

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P.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

First of all BREATHE worrying doesn't help. Is he chewing food correctly? Does he suck through a straw? Do you get him what he needs when he just points, grunts, or cries? Encourage he to talk when he wants something.....say the word and ask him to repeat. Play bubbles with him and encourage him to blow the bubbles. Try that for a week or so and see if that doesn't help. If you would like to speak further please feel free to email me at ____@____.com. I would be glad to answer any of your conerns.

Penny Amic CEO/Clinical Director
Special Beginnings, Inc.
An Early Intervention Network

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J.T.

answers from New York on

I wouldn't worry too much just yet. 15 months is still very young and all children develop at their own pace. Boys also tend to develop language later than girls.. How is your son's receptive language? For example, if you ask him to go get the ball, does he understand what you are saying? If so, that's a good sign. I remember taking my son, whose now 18 years old, to the doctors when he was three because he wasn't talking. My son grew up perfectly fine, he was just a late talker. Have you tried sign language with your son? I recommend the videos at babysigning.com! My daughter who is two years old absolutely loved them. Research shows that teaching babies sign language actually increases their language development. I found that to be true with daughter. Whenever she learned a sign, she almost simutaneously learned to say the word. Learning a few basic signs will also help your son from getting frustrated because he can't communicate. Good luck!

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