Language skills at 15mths old? screaming/screeching and crying.

Question

My son is almost 16mths old, and he seems to have lost the ability to ask for things. he used to come to me and say things like baba, or bedbed, stuff like that. now he just cries at me again, and has started this habit of screaming (short spurts) and making screeching noises. I never really know what he wants anymore, unless its to do with meals and thirst. Is this normal? and how do I overcome this? ..he's also been having small temper tantrums, but those are easier to deal with because its clear what it is about. any experience and advice would be great :)

also, he's going to have a little brother by the end of the month, so I'm hoping to get this over with before then.

Answer 1

Hmm, sounds to me like your little one is getting into his terrible 2's. I know my daughter just started it too, she is 18 months and has been doing it for a couple of months now. There isnt really much you can do to make it stop, but you can be reassuring and what works for me is, whenever she starts "monkeying around" (her uhs and ahs when she wants something sound like a monkey sound) I just hold her hands and get on eye level, then I tell her in a firm but nice voice "I cant understand you baby, you are not a monkey, tell Mommy what you want - and then I point at random things and call their names. That distracts her sooo much from what she originally wanted that she just starts repeating the words (of course pronouncing it wrong, but it sounds cool and I praise her for it) and then eventually she comes out with whatever she actually wanted. Just be patient and always try to calm him down, be reassuring and make him feel like you are seriously listening what he's trying to say. When he feels and hears that you are making an attempt in understanding him he will calm down and probably just point at whatever it is he wants.

It really works for me this way, I now it will be super hard with another baby on the way, and once it's there it will be impossibly hard. Maybe he can feel (but not understand) that he is about to have a sibling and it's making him anxious. Keep him busy busy busy! Give him some Crayons, paper to tear up, etc

Stay patient - it will pass, but it will take some time.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I would bring this up with your pediatrician, just to be safe.  A regression in language skills would concern me, especially at that age, when they should be picking up words daily (see the link below). Best of luck with both of your children!

Answer 3

As development progresses sometimes things disappear.  What your son may have done exceedingly well has been replaced with an ability to run or spin in circles.  He is probably very aware that something big is about to happen, and at 16 months lacks to ability to communicate his frustration to you.  Be patient.  He will probably regress some when the new baby gets here as a way of coping.

Answer 4

i would talk to the dr about any regression of language skills. he may just be going through a phase, but language regression is a sign of autism.