My Son Doesn't Talk Yet

I wouldn't worry about it yet, and definitely don't push him into talking or get frustrated about it... But you can try to coax him to talk. Since he knows who or what you are referring to, you might try to get him to say it. Maybe he will, maybe he won't... but if he knows you want to hear him talk, then it might help him vocalize things a little more quickly.

Don't worry to much about it...he will talk when he is ready. My oldest child didnt really say anything until he was 2 and my youngest son will be 2 tomorrow and he doesn't say to much...the doctor always told me that they will talk and do things when they are ready. Some kids progress faster than others. As long as he is babbling and understands what you are saying to him I wouldn't worry!

My daughter is a bit over 15 months and doesn't say ANY words at all yet. Her pediatrician says that yes, her speech is a bit delayed, but that it's nothing to be worried about.

Sounds like she has the same skills as far as understanding language as your son. She just doesn't use her own language. We did have her hearing checked just to rule out that cause and it's fine. I also had an interview with First Steps for possible speech therapy. The woman I spoke with (who was VERY nice and really seemed to know her stuff) said that they very rarely will begin speech therapy before 18 months unless the child has other developmental delays as well.

The only advice my pediatrician and the woman from First Steps gave us was to make sure to label everything (not like put signs up, but say the words for every item and action we use) as well as read books and sing songs often. I feel like we've been doing all of these things all along but we're definitely making a concerted effort to do it.

Another possibility that my pediatrican gave for why she is slow to talk is that she is pretty advance physically. Her motor skills are excellent, climbing, running, spinning, walking backwards, using a spoon and fork, etc. He says that often a child that excels in one area lags in another but will eventually catch up.

It's frustrating right now, I know my daughter is throwing more fits and tantrums because she is getting frustrated by not being able to communicate with us than she would if she had more developed language skills.

I'm just going to hang in there. Do what we can, and if she hasn't progressed at 18 months we will have her evaluated by First Steps for speech therapy.

R.

My brother didn't speak until his 3rd birthday. He just didn't have anything to say until then, I guess. It was a shock to us all. "COW!" he exclaimed as he opened his gift from his grandparents (they were dairy farmers). I also knew another little girl who had older siblings that did all the speaking for her. She didn't talk until she was nearly 5.

Basically, every child is different. Your son doesn't sound like he is showing any signs of physical impairment. Having patience and communicating with him normally should bring out his exclamation soon enough!

You don't have to wait for the doctor appointment! Call your local Area Education Agency (AEA). They have speech-language pathologists who can work with your son for FREE. It's through Early Access services. They can also check his hearing, which I highly recommend doing first.

I have a 16 month old and he only says mama,dada, go and dog! I think boys usually talk later than girls and I worked in a daycare for a couple of years and there were many boys who didn't say ANYTHING until after age 2!

Hey M.,
I have a little one who will be 14 months on the tenth of November. He doesn't talk either. He is learning how to sign though. He will say 1 word and that is MaMa. I was worried that something was wrong and the doctor said that nothing was wrong at all. Sometimes they are so independent that they will do it when they are ready. If Tanner wants something I say it and sign it before I give it to him and wait for some kind of attempt to either talk or sign. The signing is working quite well so far. He out of nowhere last week signed milk at dinner so we know he is comprehending what we are doing. Let me know what you think. Tanner is stubborn and wants everyone to talk for him. I refuse to listen to the screaming and wining so I try those things and it is starting to work. The pediatricians only expect 1 to 2 words by 15 months so I would not be too concerned right now. Still talk to yours and see what they recomend.

Check and see if Nebraska has a program called first steps. It is for children with just such problems and it is free!!
I'd start by looking at the health department in your community or the local hospitals they would know where to look and tell ya what free programs are available/

My son was 2 years old when his Dr. recomended speech therapy for the same reason. I personally didn't think that was necessary but she insisted. My son seemed inteligent enough. He was just using his brain for other things like building, puzzles, colors etc.. The speech therapy might have given his speech a boost but he graduated from speech therapy when he was 2 1/2. He just turned 4 and already reads and he can write his name. I think your son might just be using his brain for other things than talking and he will be just fine.

My son was the same way. I contacted the AEA and they have some speech classes that they can enroll in ...and are free... they'll do in home evaluations and groups. then if they feel he's progressing, that will drop off and just have periodic evaluations. Sam is doing great. There are 2 types of kids...1. The "sleeper" and the "overachiever"...terms that the book used...The Sleeper is the one who rather sits back and aborbs everything before trying it. The Overachiever just jumps right in no matter if they mess up the first time. Sometimes boys are more of the sleeper when it comes to cognitive development. His preschool says he is doing very well and in some ways they think he's ahead of some of the others. So we really aren't so worried now.

Oh something else. when kids learn to talk, they often learn the last half of the word first. Partly, because we americans talk way to fast. I made a conscious effort to slow down and it seemed like he started picking up more words more quickly. If you listen to what we say, we tend to rush through the 1st syllable making it not as understandable.

M., since your son's receptive language skills seem to be okay, chances are that his expressive langauge skills will be okay. The normal range is pretty broad.

That said, why not have him evaluated by your state's Early Intervention program? All states have an EI program for kids age 0-3 who are assessed as having, or are at risk of, developmental delays. The names of the programs vary from state to state but they all offer the same services, ranging from in-home therapy to group classes. All of the services are free. Both of my sons went through the EI program in California and it was fantastic. The small group communication classes were the most helpful -- two therapists and a group of 5-10 kids and their parents -- the peer interaction was really beneficial.

Your profile says you are in Nebraska. If so, you can find your local EI contact number at http://www.nde.state.ne.us/edn/ref_dir.pdf -- you just ring up, say that you are concerned about your child's speech development and would like to schedule an evaluation. There's really no downside to getting the evaluation. If your son qualifies for services, you'll find them great fun, and all the studies show that the earlier therapy begins the more likely it is that a child will catch up. If he doesn't qualify, you'll have the reassurance of being able to put your concerns to rest.

First, talk to his pediatrician and see if he thinks there might be a real problem.
Also, - just for you - check out babycenter.com. This website gives advice/knowledge about child developement and it has a ton of useful information about babies/children and parenting. I read on the website that by 18 months kids usually are saying at least 12 words already, however they will tell you that each child is different, of course. My daughter is 21 months now and speaking in sentenses. I hope everything is ok with your little boy. If it's nothing, though, try not to be frustrated, because regardless, children do develope at their own pace. Do call a doctor, though!
Best wishes!

I don't think you need to worry yet. My nephew was just like your son. He understood everything, but didn't really get going on speech until he was 2 1/2.

However, that being said, feel free to contact the public school in your neighborhood. They will test your son - which will either, A. assure you that nothing is wrong, or B. get you to the right specialists if there is a problem.

i think as long as he babbles and understands what you say and comprehends what words mean, thenyou are ok...i have a nephew that was over years old before he spoke a real word...he was jsut quiet...didn't even bable that much. but once he started talking...whoa did he start talking!!! now we can't seem to shut him up...hahaha.

I would not worry. Every child talks at a different rate. The fact that he is comprehending commands and points to objects you describe is a great sign.

If you or your husband spoke late that can be a factor too.

Also it is hard for little ones to say mommy. The long "e" sound is difficult to say. So mama will come first. I would wait and if he is not talking shortly after his 2nd birthday I would bring it up to your pediatrician. At this age, as you know, a couple of months bring a ton of changes and advances in both verbal and physical skills.

If he still is not talking your pediatrician will get his hearing screened first, to make sure his eardrums receive the sounds in a normal way, then a speech evaluation will follow that with speech therapy if needed. But don't get in a hurry. Every child is different and I bet you will be surprised at the progress a few months will bring.

Our pediatrician suggested baby sign language for the time in between. There is a good book by Garcia about baby sign language, it helps them close the gap, and gives simple signs for drink, eat, milk, more, etc. You would be surprised how fast they pick it up too.

he is still at the normal range for speech as i understand it. kids have a speech explosion from 15-24months. my dd1 was delayed, and my dd2 was at where your son is now. and now at just over 2 talks a lot. id say not to worry until maybe his 18 mo or 2yr appts w/ the ped

My first son was found to be delayed at age 4. Not all children do things when the "books" and "experts" say but you should definitely question it at least. It wouldn't hurt to have his ears checked. We found that due to numerous ear infections in our son's life during the first two years that fluid had built up behind his ears. Basically all he heard was Charlie Brown noises. It didn't help that as his mother I could figure out what he was saying when no one else could. I learned his language. It wasn't until I placed him with children his age and saw the HUGE delay in developement that I took him to the doctor. He was given ear tubes and placed in Early Childhood Intervention. Go to the doctor...even if everything turns out good...which I hopes it does.

If I were you I would talk to your doctor about First Steps. They offer speach therapy, and if I'm not mistaken, thier services are free. My SIL is a Speach Language Pathologist with First Steps and my son has benefited emmensely from it!