17 Month Old Not Talking - Orland Park,IL

RELAX!!!!!

I just had my daughter evaluated by EI for speech delays. There is a minor delay but nothing too serious although they want me to re-eval her after she is 2 and they do not use a corrected age since she was a preemie.... but they do not feel it will make much difference.

Anyhow, my daughter at 23 months says only Mama, Dadda, Dog and baby clearly. She only makes sounds for cat and dogs and I think she is trying sheep but says moo instead of baaa.... anyhow- the ST said she is doing fine. She understands us clearly and while she does not say words correctly she is attempting them and making noises and sounds for them.... she just started this about 3 weeks ago though, before that it was just noise! So now poopoo is bobos, bird is dee, scared is skayed, thunder is boom etc... so it is a start. I did not know that they count those as words even though they are not correct. So sit down and make a list of the ones he does. Bottle- ba maybe? Or juice ju? There is 2 more words to add to your list then! When we sat down we actually came up with about 20 or 30 words, just not the way we say them!

As for not knowing how to play with them... come on Momma! You are a Mom... do you talk to them, read to them, spend time with them, sit at the dinner table with them, sing even off key to them? I am sure you do all of that... and a lot more! You are spending time with them and that is great! Keep making sure you do all that and describe the things you are doing. Also, when your son says something- even if not correctly- say yes that is a bottle, bird bee etc.... it will reinforce it!

Lastly, I know how hard it is to have one child in therapy... not personally but from my sisters experience! It has made her doubly paranoid that something will be wrong with the other one. That every milestone MUST be reached... she drives herself nutty worrying about all of that! Relax and enjoy your son and stop putting so much worries into it! We all want the smartest kids but did you know that slow talkers actually are retaining more but just can not verbalize it.... or maybe they just do not want to? Just make sure he knows what you are telling him and that he understands what the words are... bird, bee, ball, sister etc. It will all come soon enough!

Many blessings to you and your family!

My son is in speech therapy and he's talking up a storm now. I started him in speech early on and it made a world of difference. Even if EI says you don't need it, take him to private therapy like we did - it does make a difference. It's better to nip it in the bud now than wait and see what happens. Even though you shouldn't be too scared, it's better to do something about it now rather than wait. Truth be told, the doctor is right - kids should be saying at least 10 words by 18 months, maybe even more. Lots of people will say don't worry, he's a boy, he will be fine. But don't listen to these people - get the help that your child needs so that he will be fine.

Hi J.,

I'm a speech therapist and mom...my second child (a boy) has taken his sweet time to really start talking....at 2 he only said about 7 words....we had him evaluated recently and he didn't qualify and he's certainly not caught up yet but we're getting there....it's weird when you're a speech therapist to request an eval but it's important to have a fresh set of ears and eyes...it sounds like your son is making a lot of appropriate words and speech sounds...in my experience it's not time yet to get too concerned....as you are already dialed into the whole speech therapy program you probably know lots of ways to stimulate speech and language development...I'm sure your SLP would be happy to provide you with other suggestions for ways to incorporate speech and language stimulation into everyday activities (I'm not a fan of flash cards or other artificial activities...kids learn best in natural environments with real situations, objects than can be touched, heard, eaten, thrown, smelled etc. Sounds like you are very busy with your older child but I'm sure that your little guy is getting lots of attention...try to make the most of any one on one time you have with him and I'm sure things will begin to come together slowly.

Email me if you have any more questions..

B.

Perhaps have him evaluated by EI just to be sure. In my opinion, he sounds like he is just fine. But with the RIDICULOUS standards these days, it makes you freak out. My kids are now receiving ST. We just made the cut to receive services (you pay based on your annual salary). They are saying more words.. but is the therapy REALLY helping. I am not so sure... but supposededly at 24 months (my kids are 25) they are supposed to be saying FIFTY words and two-word phrases. Try and work with him more if you can... and maybe ask your current therapist for ideas for your little guy. :)

My son did not speak very much till he was 2 years old. His doctor was never concerned, he said children talk when they are ready. Our son also had a lot of ear infection and got tubes before he was 2 years old and that may have been part of the problem. I don't think your doctor should be telling you that he want him to say 10 words by 18 months. That is a little freaky to me. If he is making sounds he must hear them first.

You may want to try some games that incorporate words in them. Spend at least 30 minutes a day reading to your children. Get books to start with lots of pictures. Point out the different pictures in the books and ask them what is that. Sit them both down together if possible. Ask you husband to read to them also. You may do it as a whole family.
Get Books that have matching games in them, have them say the word as they match it. Or ask questions...
The cow goes __________. then follow it with MOOOO says the _____________. The dog goes ____________. RUFF says the _________________. You can also make up flash cards so they can see the words they are says. Always say the words using proper phonic sounds.
This will help with the speech and is the starting of reading for your daughter. She will have a leg up the more she can read when she starts school.

Does your library have reading time for tots? I know Woodstock has a program that you can sign up for and think Crystal Lake does also.
Hope I was able to help a little.

S.

My son is also 17 months old and he seems right on track with your son. He babbles, says mama, dada, bye (his favorite word), hot and makes animal noises.
At his fifteen month checkup our ped said usually between 19 and 22 months there is a "word/talking" explosion and said nothing about him saying so many words by a certain time.
I wouldn't worry!
K.