Want to Know When Your Children Started to Talk

My son (who is now six) was very slow to talk. He said some words and pointed and generally had a ways of making his needs known and understood, but really didn't speak a lot until later. In fact at age 4 we actually began entertaining the idea of a speech pathologist, but just as I began looking around for one his speech really took off and he began talking non-stop. To the point that my husband and I joke about "Do you remember when we when we thought he'd NEVER talk?" and how some quiet might actually be good now. At age 6 he is very well spoken and people comment all the time about how smart and friendly he is. Girls do generally talk earlier and that has been my experience with my daughter who is now 2. She already speaks in sentences. So there's my experience. I hope that helps!

My son is almost 26 months and his vocabulary just started to explode within the last month. He didn't say much before his 2nd birthday- just little things, mama, dada, 'wastha?' and bus. That's about all. He has a little friend who is the same exact age that was greeting people with their first names and saying things like 'excavator' at 15 months. He was just different and very advanced. It makes sense that you would be worried but there is such a VAST range of when kids start speaking. My nephew started talking around 26 months and now no one can get him to stop! Some kids are more observant and wait to talk until they can really say things. Good luck!

Don't worry, my son did the same thing---talked for a bit at around 1-1/2 and then stopped. Started talking after his 2nd birthday. I think he was just focusing on other things (like walking, running, climbing, etc.) and was just having too much fun with that stuff to worry about the talking business.

B., have him evaluated, 18 mos. is about when these things start to show up, Gage had about 90 words at 15 mos, by 18 mos he no longer said any of them, including momma...
but EI (early intervention) is a godsend, they have two to start out with, birth to 3 & 3-6, have your ped recomend an eval, since your daughter has a diagnosis it should be easy. The fact your asking says your gut is nagging at you, and I am a firm beliver if a mommas gut reaction.
H.

My son started to form complete sentences around the age of three and didn't really start speaking words until about 19 or 20 months. my sister didn't speak words until two (after that she wouldn't be quiet). I talked very early at about 16 months (I also walked at 9 months) My daughter started talking at about 16 months also. It really varies from child to child. Remember to speak to your child with clear announciation and use small words that can be understood and repeated and encourage your child to talk by asking questions.

Hey B.,
I've only got a moment, but I know I've read a few other requests in the past month with the same topic as yours. You may want to scroll through past requests and see what others have said, as I thought there were some great, comforting bits of advice! Basically, if you've got autism already in your family, I'd keep an eye on your son and be in close contact with your ped. Otherwise, know that kids develop their speech at such a wide variety of times. Some kids won't say a word (or nearly so), figure out ways to communicate in other ways, and at age three, start speaking in complete sentences. It just varies. Some of the best things you can do: talk constantly to your son: tell him what you're doing, going to do, etc., point out the things around you; sing sing sing! (songs are such a valuable way for kids to learn language...I'm a teacher, so...first-hand experience); read to him daily; and, finally, teach him some simple signs to use to communicate. This is helpful no matter where your children fall on the speech developement scale. =0)
Hope that helps some,
L. =0)

Both of my sons were slower to develop vocabularies than their female peers. My youngest only spoke 10 to 20 basic words when he was 27 months old. (As I am highly verbal, this was not for lack of conversations with mom...) Now at 33 months, my little guy can say things like: "Look, there's a mommy red-winged blackbird!" and "The trumpet fish is my favorite!" I hope this offers some encouragement! I studied human development in college, so I will say that all kids develop differently and are intelligent in different ways. Hang in there, and definitely discuss your concerns with your child's pediatrician. Ours was very helpful to offer tests if no vocabulary development came about! All the best to you.

Take a deep breath and relax. I understand your concerns with your daughter. I have 2 boys, both of them, late talkers. You can not compare boys to girls, you will drive yourself crazy. Girls talk earlier, walk earlier, potty train earlier. When he does talk, or say something like please (ease)-when he is saying "ease" you say please, so he knows to practice his "pl's " with his "ease".
When my 12 year old was about your son's age, he would communicate well, but if he wanted something specific (like crackers)-he would reach up towards the pantry and I would lift him up, and he would grab what he wanted and I would then tell him what it was and he would sometimes repeat me or make up his own name for the item. Like I said, he was a slow talker, but then suddenly-like almost overnight, he was talking more. When he was in the 3rd grade, he was tested for learning disabilities and I was told he had the vocabulary of a high schooler. Boys are just a little slower than girls, but then they catch up. Just enjoy your son :-)

B.~
Hi! I don't know much about Autism, however I can tell you that my oldest nephew(he's 4 going on 5) was almost 3 before he talked. He grunted alot, but he never really talked. His brother who is 1 year younger is almost 3 and does not talk much either. My daughter who will be three in a week, talks up a storm. Each child is so different. I might get him checked again just to make my heart be at ease, but that is up to you.
Take care!

My son is now 15 an honor student and an acheived athlete with no problems (other than being a teenager) At age 2 our pediatration gave him a thourgh physical to be sure there was no reason for his lack of talking and found nothing. The one thing I remember fondly was the doctor telling me that Einstein was almost 5 before he started talking. Hang in there mom!

Hi B.

My oldest son talked when he was 10 months old and was speaking in complete sentences at 18 months. So, at 20 months, I'm a little concerned about my youngest son as well. He used to say Dadda, but doesn't say it that often. He does still say Mama quite a bit. I've noticed the same with other words that he'll start saying them, then doesn't use them later. I've been coaxing him to say words and it's working. I try to make him use words to ask for things. I've been told by my friends and doctor that saying these little words at 20 months old is normal though. What did your pediatrician tell you?

Hi B.,

You might have his ears checked?

I don't have any experance on this, but it seems to me I've heard ears causing problems in speach?

Good Luck & Happy Mommy's Day back at you!!

I'm sure you have LOTS of 'advice'. My son didn't really start talking until after he turned 2. He said the Momma, Dada and ball, but that was really it. I was worried about it because he was my first baby. Learned later that boys just talk later than girls (usually). We got my son "Signing time" DVD's. He started talking with in the next 2 weeks. It could have been the DVD's or just getting older. But...I LOVE the signing time...it will help with your daughter too. Give the kids their own way of talking to eachother! The kids and I are learning the signing...Daddy feels a little left out! :) Good luck!!

Hi B. - My daughter is 25 months and is just starting to take off on the talking. In fact it worried me that I also wrote Mamasource. Most people said she was right on track. I wish you luck with your son and daughter.

Hi,

I know you said your son was evaluated recently, but by who? I have study communication disorders at WWU and have two speech delayed children. By 19 months, he should have a vocabulary of 50 words or more and be putting two word phrases together. Especially since he has a sibling with autism, any delays on his part should be carefully monitored. Start with the health department and get the free screening for kids under 3. They will help you to know where to go from there.

Well kids are all different. My son talked in full sentences at 1 1/2, but my daughter was hard to understand until 3. I have a friend who has a 3 year old who is just starting to talk so you can understand.

When my son was that age he wasn't saying all that much either! Now he is 3 1/2, bilingual (Korean speaking daycare), and putting complete thoughts together (fragmented sentences). I would have him evaluated regularly (or as regularly as you can/is recommended by his doc) since there IS autism in your family. Remember too that you can always get a second opinion if you aren't satisfied with the first one. If more than one doc tells you he is okay and developing normally, I follow up with their instructions and not worry too much more than that. Good luck.

My son is 18 months and not saying much either. Maybe 6 or 7 words, if you count "uh-oh." I've noticed that he is also not using most of his words lately, which freaks me out. However, I have noticed that he is currently completely obsessed with climbing and gaining balance for walking up stairs and curbs (in the upright fashion). He's a late climber, which is fine by me, as it freaks me out. But then, where did the words go? He used to say "duck!" all the time, and I mean ALL the time. We haven't heard him say it weeks now. I *hope and pray* that he's just too busy working on some physical skills to focus on the verbal. Also, he used to love, love, love books--and now it's like he doesn't give them the time of day! His ears are fine (just went to the ped.). He signs like crazy and loves the Signing Time videos. But the worry, oh the worry over autism...I will not relax about it until he's like 7 years old or something. Until then it's on my mind every day, multiple times a day. I will say this: a friend (boy) his age is not saying much either. And another friend (girl baby) talks up a storm. If it helps, his ped said 5-8 words is what she expects to see at 18 months. I should've asked her about him not saying his words, but I was too busy trying to keep him from going nuts inside the tiny exam room.

I feel as your son is fine. My daughter is 19 mos old and she doesn't talk well either. She just started picking up words in the last month. My first born was talking in full sentencses at the age of 2 so that made me concern for my second child. If your first child doesnt talk then maybe him seeing this doesnt motivate him to talk. If he is finding ways to communicate with you then I don't see a reason for concern. When you talk to him make sur eyou don't ask yes or no questions. Instead of saying would you like a cup of milk-say what do you want to drink. This will encourage conversation verses a head nod or a plain yes or no answer. Good luck and no worries.

I have a 10 year old who went from speaking maybe 10 words at 18 months to speaking in complete sentences by two. Currently I have a 21 month old who, like your son, spoke a dozen or so words by 14 months, then stopped (he was working on walking). He still does not have a very big vocabulary, and doesn't even say some of the words he said before. He speaks plenty, it's just not quite English. I wouldn't worry though, they all develop at different times. Like your little guy, mine definitely gets his point across and lets us know what he wants. I try to work with him on speaking during the day when he isn't tired. Sometimes he will repeat words, sometimes he won't. Good Luck!

Hi B.~
Our first child spoke early and articulated well. She spoke complete sentences at 18 mos. If you asked her where daddy was, she would not only tell you that he was at work, she would also tell you that "He worked at Sea-First Bank, but he was not a banker, but worked in the printing dept. and that he was responsible for for getting all the forms that you would fill at a bank to the individual branches. And he works on East Marginal Way in Seattle, which is just past the west Seattle bridge."! A little TMI for most people. She would talk to anyone-we referred to her as 'friendly to a fault'. On the other hand, our second child barely spoke at all until well passed her second birthday, but communicated well. We never responded to gruntle sounds or whining and we had ONE chance to know what she was saying and that was that-she would not repeat herself-if we really needed to know what she said, child #1 would interpret. My husband was worried that she wasn't talking because it was so different from our first. I told him to hush up and not worry because she could communicate and besides, once she did start talking, she'd probably never stop...which turned out to be the case! Child #3 was a mixture of both at times, leaning more toward #1. However, since your daughter has autism, I can certainly understand your concern. I do know, though, that most young children birth to 6 tend to concentrate on one development more heavily than others at one time, e.g. walking maybe more so than talking, running more so than climbing stairs, reading more so than writing or math...
I'm going to send this page to one of my parents (I'm a pre-school/kindergarten teacher) as she has a child with autism and one without.
If you didn't already have an autistic child, I'd say enjoy the peace and quiet while you can, however, your concern is very valid.

My son has been talking for quite a while, he just turned two and he's been vocal for quite some time. My sister in law has a son that is almost exactly the same age (they're 8 days apart) and he is barely talking at all. My friend's son is two and a half and doesn't talk much either. I think it just depends on the child. He may be focusing on accomplishing another goal right now and has put talking on the back burner until he's a pro at whatever else he's trying to do. I wouldn't worry too much, they all develop at their own pace!

Just be a bit more patient. :D He'll do fine. My son didn't really start talking until he was 2. Some kids just take time to reach that next milestone. My son didn't say more than momma and hi...oh yeah, and huh. LOL :D

My daughter is 22 months and she doesn't quite speak English yet. She also has a few words and has no problem communicating. She understands what we tell her all the time. She repeats words in her pronunciation when I tell her to say "whatever". Our doctor says not to worry and to just let her do it on her own time. We have never had and official evaluation though. But, other moms tell me that kids talk on their own time.

I have been worried too, but everyone is telling me not to. The Bench marks are set for generalities. They are not musts, and don't necessarily mean anything is wrong. I have heard many kids don't talk til much later, like three or more.

Hi B.,

I'm no expert, and I had all girls--who talked up a storm very early. I guess there are a few observations I made while watching them learn to speak--because I was fascinated and am both an educator and counselor, I just really paid attention to how they developed this skill.
1) I always spoke to them in full, simple sentences--articulating the words clearly, but never using "baby talk". I am kind of assuming you are doing this, too, especially since you have concerns based on your daughter, but thought I would mention it. I noticed children all around me tended to early speech that very much immitated how they were spoken to--which is not surprising, given that's how we learn language.
2) The younger siblings were a bit slower at speaking themselves--not a lot, but it was clear they "used" their older siblings for communication help when possible.
3) Language capabilities seem to have a genetic predisposition. In my own case, my daughters were very articulate, very early--and I was, too, as I hear from my parents. Since autism can have a genetic predisposition, it might be wise to continue having your little boy checked out regularly, even though there is a good chance he is just fine.
4) Here is where I get a little "theoretical"...I noticed with my youngest daughter that she began by babbling in what sounded like complete sentences. She had intonations, and clear beginnings and ends, with questions sometimes. But there were no actual words that were recognizable. As she began to develop further, vowels worked their way into the proper places, but without correct consenants. The consenants developed last. By the time she was speaking English, we realized in that last coming together part, that she had been talking all along--just not clearly or understandably. So...does your son babble alot? Or is he mostly quiet? I think that would be more of a concern than not having specific words. That's just my theory, though, and not backed up by any science.

I do hope you find that he is just fine, and I think there is a very good chance of that. But because of your concerns, I would also listen to your intuitions and have him regularly checked by a speech expert. There are other things that can cause delayed speech besides autism, and most things, if they are caught early, can be remedied.

I send good wishes your way, and hope you had a happy Mother's Day!

Hi B.,
I have a friend whose 15-and-a-half-month-old son was saying more at 12 months than many of the 18-month-olds I know. My own son, who is 15 months and two weeks younger than my friend's talkative son hardly says anything, but babbles a lot. If your son babbles, then that counts as talking. Maybe you can't understand him, but he's still talking!
That said, kids will talk when they talk. I went home for a visit last year and saw four two-year-olds. Two of them were speaking in sentences and very clearly, and the other two were hardly saying anything. The two speaking clearly were a girl and a boy and the two who weren't speaking were a girl and a boy. If you can, ask your parents and your husband's parents how early you two spoke. And then, to ease your conscience, ask your doctor.