Child Not Talking

Never fear. I actually used the word retarted b/c my son said very little. Low and behold the switch went on and he has not stopped talking since. It was a little after his second birthday that the words have spilled out. He is very articulate now. Good luck, I wouldn't worry yet though.

Remember, he is your child! Don't worry, kids progress at different stages. As long as he's saying some words you know he can speak that's great. Keep doing what you're doing. Point out lots of things to him, when you're outside playing, show him everything, trees, plants, grass, sky, sun, bugs, houses, cars etc. He will start talking tons and won't stop he'll want to tell you everything! My little boy is two and a half and that's what we did, we always read books and went on walks to find "new" things. He's been talking really well for about a year now. Don't worry, listen to your pediatrician they'll tell you when and if to worry. Just enjoy your kiddos!

Your son is fine. All children have different schedules. Keep having conversations with him and in time, you will be looking for the occasional "mute" button. Seriously, letters and numbers already? Tell Mom and Grandma that Jonathan is just fine and right on schedule, his schedule.

T.,

My oldest son was only saying about 2 words when he was 18 months. His pedi wanted him to say at least 6 by his 24 month checkup. I thought it was impossible. However, something clicked right before the visit and he was saying all kinds of things. He's 3 1/2 now and speaks in complete sentences.
My 18 month old still isn't talking but I'm not worried. He babbles a lot and can follow simple directions like "throw it in trash" or "bring me your shoes". I know he understands and he'll get there.
Just keep doing what you are doing and you both will be fine. Don't let your family make you nervous.

A. K

It's funny how family always knows better than you isn't it? The saying that every child develops differently is true. My first son said more words at that age than my second. My second was like yours...he just said a few words. Some of it was his personality. He is just quieter than my first son. But don't worry about it. Your son will be fine.

I know how you feel about your son not talking, but you aren't alone! My daughter turned 2 years in January and she still doesn't talk anything but your basic words ( mommy, daddy, bubba, uh oh, nana, papa, etc...). At first I was really worried that something was wrong, after-all my son ( who's 4years) started talking at a really early age and could have complete conversations with me( simple ones) by the time he was two years. Finally I just accepted the plan and simple fact that every child is different, that when my daughter decideds she has something she feels is important to say, she'll say it!! Don't let yourself or others compare your son to other kids, each child is different and will learn different things at different times. He'll talk when he's ready and not any sooner. All you can do is repeat words when you give him something( hand him a cup, say cup etc...) he'll eventually do it on his own, don't try to force it because it won't work. Hope this helps you.

He sounds perfectly normal! Kids his age shouldn't be focused enough to learn their numbers/alphabet (it is rare). See if he'll sit and look at picture books with you, or just show him things and see if he'll say the word...light, dog, cat, etc. If he is responding to simple requests, trying to say a few words, etc., he is normal!!!

I would say if you (not your family) are really concerned call ECI the assessments are provided free or a small fee to families. IF you are interested in making a referral or learning more about what ECI has to offer you can call the local ECI number at ###-###-#### or locate ECI Texas on the web. My son is/was speech delayed he didn't say anything and we did get him help but I did b/c I felt he needed it. Don't let your family raise your children you know whats best for him.
Hope this helps,
LEti

boys are usually a little slower, and 16 months is really young for talking. he sounds like he's right on with saying a few words and if you're working with letter and stuff, he'll be fine. he probably won't start really "talking" until closer to 2 1/2. your grandma and mom have probably just forgotten.

my daughter is 19 months old and is just now starting to say more then just mom-ma dan dad-da so i wouldn't worry about it every child develops on their own time and there is nothing you can do but try to aid them in the process. Feel assured that the knowledge is in your son's head but he hasn't deciced that he needs to use it yet. A good way i have found to get my daughter to talk is to keep asking her what she needs and until she at least trys to say the word she doesn't get it. I hope that helped a little!

he's saying words it doesnt sound like you have anything to worry about, girls usually pick up more words earlier because usually females are more verbal. 16 months for my girls were different than for my son. I would give it till 24 months till I started worrying because your pedi is not going to worry about it till then. If he gets where he puts one to three words for a sentence by then he's on target. The key word is that he is saying words, if he wasnt saying anything you could understand then that would be a problem. Buy the little picture books for the first years and just read picures talk to him point things out. Repetition is your ticket.

Totally don't worry about it. My son is 15 months old ( and is also named Jayden). He babbles constantly, but he doesn't say any "actual words" not even mama and dada. We think he may be saying go but aren't really sure. Anyhow. The other mom are right on. Boys tend to develop language later. As long as he is interacting with you and other people. I'm sure he is right on target. Don't worry to much about pushing letters and numbers. Their little brains are developed enough yet to comprehend what letters and numbers actually mean. The best thing you can do for his language development is talk to him all the time. Unforunatly, I work so I don't get as much time with my little guy as you do. However, on the weekends I pretty much give him a running comentary of what we are doing. For example....."Mommy is folding clothes. Do you see the shirt? Where do you wear a shirt? On your top. Good job".... You get the idea. It will feel really strange at first, but then it will become so natural that you will catch yourself doing it even if your son isn't around. This will also be great for your 3 month old as well. Keep your chin up. I totally know how frustrating it can be, especially when your family is on you about it. I am in the exact same boat.

Children develop at different rates. He is 16mths old what exactly should he be able to say? I think if you allow him to grow and feel secure in himself he will be just fine. The more you try to force him to talk the less he will. If you make a big deal of it he will see that you think he is behind and that could effect the way he feels about himself.

He needs only say 20 words by the time he is two!!

T., I am going to reiterate a lot of what some others have said: children develop at their own pace, and your mom/grandma probably don't remember.
All three of mine were (or are, in ruby's case) late talkers. When my oldest finally started (at around 2) it was in paragraphs! It eventually happens for all of them. Having said that, it can be VERY frustrating for both the toddler and the parent when a child cannot get his point across with words. My husband and I began teaching my oldest sign language when he about 10 months old. He caught onto that quickly and eventually even made up his own for some things. It brought the frustration level down a great deal for everyone involved and, I think, helped him understand language better. Neither of my other two children were interested in learning signs (except the one for 'more,' which they both did). Once again, it's different strokes for different folks!
If your son is getting frustrated trying to get his message across, it's worth checking out. Good luck to you!

I would first get a hearing test done. My son had alot of ear infections and wasn't talking. He doctor said the fluid in the ears made it hard for him to hear. If he can't hear then he can't learn to talk. He had tubes put in his ears and it seemed like the next week he was saying all kinds of words. Now we can't get him to stop. (Not that we want him to.) You can also try looking at babycenter.com. They have a lot of helpful advice. You might even need to slower you words when talking. Some people talk to fast and do not realize it. I hope this helps a little. Good luck and don't worry about what other people say. I know it's hard but let it go in one ear and out the other.

Once they start talking, you'll wish they'd be quiet! lol Really, 16 mos. and he's saying that much is good. My oldest boy only said like 3 words till he hit about 20 mos., and had an explosion of words! He understands more than he can say. My other son is 2 1/2, and he still doesn't talk much. It is a boy thing, don't worry unless he's 2 and still not saying more than 5 words. As for the abc's and #'s, he's a little young. I would point out colors, like read a book and say,look at the red bird,for example. I would just keep talking to him, telling him what your doing, and reading aloud will help his words too. Don't worry! And your family means well, but you know your babies better than anyone. Don't let others second guess you.

If YOU have concerns, talk to your pediatrician. If the doctor has concerns, then you go from there with ear tests and the such. If there is no medical reason for him not to talk, then he is going at his own pace. My youngest daughter didn't say much until she was 18 months old. I was starting to get really worried, then it was like someone tuned a light on. Now she chatters non-stop! When it comes to family, politely listen to them chatter then go with what feels right to you. Your doctor will be able to help with any concerns you might have.

I work with that age group at a preschool. It is very normal to not be talking much yet. I recommend just focusing on words rather than letters though. We have a big binder full of pages with large pictures on them. From animals to body parts to bowls and cups. We go through this book once or twice, or even more, a day. Repetition is the key. Give it a few weeks and you'll be very surprised.

My child is 16 months, also (9/23) and says prolly 10 words total. I spoke with the pediatrician and he said that is COMPLETLY normal.

The problem with family giving advice is that so much is outdated OR they remember stuff wrong. My ds is 4 now.. and I can't remember how many words he was saying at this point- how on Earth can your grandma and mom remember from 20+ years ago?! I DO know he wasn't holding conversations!

If you are concerned, talk to your pedi- or research it. But you sound like a great mom, so don't let anyone make you feel like you are not doing a great job! (I would also learn to say "I have it under control, thank you" OR "I will give that all the consideration it deserves" ;) )