16 1/2 Month Old Still Not Talking

J.
My son who is know 8yrs old now didn't really talk until about 2 1/2 yrs old But when he started he would say it clear and in sentences. He always had a look on his face like he was taking everything in and by was he know he wont shut up! I had a speach specilist 2 a week. For a bout 2 weeks and he wouldn't do anything for her He was about 18-24 months. My daughter who is 3 yrs she didn't really starting talking until about 2 yrs old know she don't shut up. My son id a straight A student so who would gess. I have always noticed that every time I start to worry about something about my kids In about 1 month it usually get taken care of and something else takes its place Good luck
L. M

Hi J.,

I went through the exact same thing with my oldest son. At his two year checkup he wasn't meeting his language milestones and I was very concerned that he wasn't using 2 word sentences or had a vocabulary of at least 50 words. His pediatrician at the time suggested that we take him to speech therapy, which I unfortunately did not do immediately. He had the same communication issues you are talking about, it just looked to me like he was in pain trying to tell me what he wanted. So, we taught him sign language and the more signs he learned the happier he was. He was signing complete sentences before he was speaking them. There is a terrific show on PBS called "Signing Time", it was very helpful to us in learning signs and to him as it has great songs and is easy to understand.

Now, on the other hand, and I don't want to alarm you, my oldest was also diagnosed as high-functioning autistic a little after he turned 3. I wish, I wish, I wish I had followed my instincts and pressed for more evaluations of him, but he is getting the help he needs now and has blossomed in to a gregarious little 3 year old. If you are truly concerned, contact the Early Intervention program in your school district or the State, they can help you. Don't give up hope and always, always fight for your child. You know what's best for him.

have you tried teaching him simple sign language?

My best advice to you is trust your gut instincts. My son was not talking at all at 16 months and I knew something was wrong, but I didn't trust my instincts. People kept saying, "he's a boy, don't worry so much, all babies do their thing on their own time." But I could tell there was more going on. My pediatrician did not want to refer me to a speech therapist to have him evaluated. By 18 months, my son was still not talking at all and finally my pediatrician gave in and gave me a referral. It turned out that my child had a very severe speech delay and also had what is called sensory integration disorder. He's 4 now and doing much better.

At 15 months of age, a child should have 10-15 words, by 18 months of age, a child should have about 25 words (according to the speech therapist we worked with for 2 years). By 2, they should have about 100.

Chances are your child is just a wee bit behind and he will catch up in no time. BUT, if you feel something is wrong, it does not hurt to push for an eval or call ECI for a free eval. You know your child best and don't let anyone make you think otherwise. In the meantime, I highly recommend picking up the first Signing Time video or DVD - it is the best way, IMO to teach kids the basic signs and to learn them yourself in a very fun and engaging way. It helped with my child immensely.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, I have been through a lot with my son and am pretty knowledgeable about speech delays and speech therapy! :) Good luck.

My son is 15 1/2 months and is the same way. He knows some words but not nearly as many as I thought they should know by know (well know how to say) and my friends kids all talk so much more than him (some are a bit younger some a bit older but around the same age).

I am just always told not to worry about it to much that he will talk when he is ready. Since he understands the words just doesnt' say them I guess I agree. It would be nice if he would say the words but I think he just doesn't want to yet.

So if your son understands words, definately can hear, and seems fine other than the fact that he just doesn't SAY the words than I would say to just give it time.

Good luck :)

Neither of my boys talked until they were almost2 years old. I worried about the first one and I asked the doctor. He said that if he did not say 10 words by age 2 then we needed to start to worry. He started talking pretty much in sentences when he did start talking. So when it came to the second son I just did not worry about it at all. They are just soaking in their environment until they are ready. Mine were also slow walkers but just like the talking when they finally did it they were off and running. I can not keep them still or quiet at all now and they are 3yrs (4 in two days) and 6yrs (7 in a month). Just be patient and I am sure that everything will be fine.

HTH,
C.

Easter Seals is a program that deals with sensory and/or speach delays for 2yr olds (and under). When your child turns 3yrs and if still has a speach delay Easter Seals will ( with you ) contact local school in district to start an early intervention. PPCD is just a fancy way of saying speach delay, in our school area. My son is picked up, by a bus and goes to school for 3hrs Monday thur Friday. Right now since your little one is under two would suggest highly calling Easter Seals, it is free in MOST cases, theropy is done at home and is for us been a God send
feel free to e-mail me with any questions or for numbers
V

My son was only saying 3 words at his 18 month appointment which freaked me out a bit because my daughter was a total chatterbox by then. However, I just gave it some time and now at almost 3 he won't be quiet...LOL! All kids learn at their own pace and yours is just a bit slower. I know a lot of ladies with kids the same age as mine and I was upset when theirs were talking and mine wasn't but...it really is ok. Your little guy will start before you know it :o)

It doesn't sound like thereis any reason to worry. My daughter was a late talker as well. Pretty much didin't talk until she was 2. I had her evaulated by the state & the lady laughed & told me she was fine. What to look for is that he is babbling, if he expresses himself (facial expressions & hand motions), & that he responds when you talk to him. If you are still concerned you can have him evaluated in your home by EIC(I think that is what it's called).
Just wait, when he does start talking he might not be able to stop (-:

if your sole worry is him not being able to communicate with you, you could teach him a few sign language signs. he obviously hears and understands but can't or won't say the words. he waves to you, so he would probably sign. there are several books on baby signs at barnes and noble or you could look things up online. i recommend signs like "more, milk, hungy, eat or lunch or dinner, tired or sleep, please, thank-you and of course, i love you." they are all very basic simple motion signs. mine loved them and some times, still my almost 4 year old will sign something as he says it.

good luck and quit stressing. my oldest didn't say mama even till he was 17 months. now i can't shut him up no matter what. he's only queit when he sleeps and even then...

My twins weren't talking at all at their 18 month check-up. They started slowly and now they are talking a lot. They will be two this week and are right on schedule. Just give him space and don't stress him out by trying to "teach" him developmental milestones. He will hit them at his own pace.

Hi J., I totally know how you feel, my oldest son that is now almost 7 had a hard time with speech too when he was young. I had no clue why, but when I figured it out, I was like "Duh!" I couldn't believe I had never thought to have his ears tested! Even if your doctor says to wait, it won't hurt to take him and have his ears tested. Maybe is is something small like having hard wax built upon ear drum. Once we found out what was going on with my son, we were able to have the minor problem taken care of, and it was crazy how fast his speech began to develop. Its just an idea, hopefully its helpful. Take care, A.

Every child developes at there own pace and boys don't usally talk as much as girls. That being said I think you should contact ECI (early Childhood Intervention) you may even have your doctor make a referal. They will come and test your child and see where he is developmentaly in all areas and see if he can use their services, at any rate you will get some answers. Just because he can hear now doesn't mean he hasn't missed some sounds, if he has had ear infections he may have missed some sounds. In the mean time to communicate with him more use sign langage alot of parents do. There are easy signs for yes,no, more and milk,drink and so on. Hope this helps.

Have you tried teaching him signs? I taught my 14 month old some signs and it works really well for us. He can tell me "more" and drink and food you can find lots of signs just on line or check books out at the library and of course book stores. Anyways, don't worry all kids take their time on their different things, so make whatever he is doing work for you, and don't worry!

Everybody learns at their own pace. Do you read to him a lot? Also, when he asks for something like a cookie or toy, you could make him attempt to say it before you give it to him. It could be a game. For example, you will be holding the cookie that you are about to give to him. When he "says" it, then he will get it. He probably won't say it perfectly, but you could make it clear that he has to try. On the flip side, my oldest daughter could talk very well, long before she could walk. We thought that there was something wrong with her, but even at age 12, she's just not that physical. Maybe your son will be more physically active, and less verbal. My second daughter is both active and talks continuously. Children are just so different in every way.

Hey J.,

My 14 mo. old QUIT talking when his brother was born and by 17 (almost 18) mos. had still not resumed more than the most basic speech. (mommy, daddy, go, boo,) maybe 10 words in all. Anyway I referred him to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)for a speech evaluation to see if he was delayed. As it turns out grunting, pointing, gesturing, babbeling and basic words are right on for 18 mos. Based on what they said it sounds like your son is right where he should be for 16 1/2 months. If you are concerned you can always call ECI and ask them to evaluate him. They can let you know if there is a delay and what to do about it.Hope this helps

i'm not really sure about the different causes for late blooming speakers, it could be many things, but i have heard wonderful things about teaching children sign language when they are having problems with speech development. there are many studies and they all look good if the problem is with the speech development and not something deeper. they help with the frustration of not being able to communitcate, as well as giving you your own language, which is a cool bond that you can continue even after speech is fully developed. after talking to your ped. also try a speech therapist, even if your doc says don't worry, you have every right to worry when it comes to your children. it could be so many different things and knowing what if anything is wrong and how to make it easier for your child will make everything so much better.

Mine is 17 months and still not walking - at least he's bearing some weight on his legs now, though.

There is a wonderful little service that you might not be aware of - Early Childhood Intervention (ECI). Go to there website, http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/index.shtml , for information on what they do and how to get help.

For me, the most valuable thing they did was a free evaluation - they met with me and my son when he was 13 months old (He couldn't sit up well, didn't crawl ... I got really sick of the pediatrician saying wait till 15 months) and watched him, gave me some exercises to do with him, etc - and the same OT meets with us once a week (still free) to check progress and give more exercises.

It could be your son is completely normal and your friends' kids are ahead of the verbal game - esp if they're all little girls. It could be your son is a little behind and he'll catch up no problem. Or it could be that there is a problem and a speech therapist from ECI can evaluate him and tell you, definitively.

For the record, when it comes to communication, you might try baby sign. 'Drink' looks like a hand holding a glass to the mouth, eat looks like a hand holding a sandwich.

S.