My son is 15 months old...he does'nt say "mommy" yet & i'm afraid something is not right...?

Question

he started doing other things rather early...like crawling & sitting up @ 5months, walking @ 11 months...etc...but he does'nt talk...well he goo-goo-gah-gah all day long...A LOT...but he wont say mommy,daddy and other little word like that!

he understands just about anything i tell him but i dont think his speech is were its suppose to be by now...everyone keeps telling me to wait, he'll talk when he wants but what about if i wait too long

any advice?

Answer 1

kids just develop at different times if he is walking already that is great so kids don't walk until there almost 3!!

some don't crawl for a long time ether!

your son just doesn't talk yet the best you could do is talk to him like constantly say mommy to him

but if you are really concerned then take him to a pediatrician

Answer 2

At 15 months old, a child should be consistently using approximately 10 words spontaneously. He should also be able to imitate new words easily, use true words within jargon, label/name objects in his environment independently.

If he has difficulty retaining information (new words), recalling the information, and using new words introduced, you might also have to look into his processing of language.

Many people don't realize that language has two components. Of course, the expressive part is what is the most noticeable, but if a child cannot understand or process language then he will have a hard time producing the words needed to express his wants and needs.

Does he have a history of ear infections? Ear infections can cause fluid build-up in his ear, which ultimately might increase his chances of a temporary (but very treatable) form of hearing loss. If your son cannot HEAR the words, then he will also have difficulties producing them spontaneously.

He is 15 months of age. If you live in the states, he may qualify for speech therapy via the federal Early Intervention program. You can do an internet search of EI agencies in your area. They will then arrange to have your child evaluated, and if he qualifies, will also staff a speech therapist/pathologist to work with your child. These services are FREE until the child reaches 3 years of age.

**Keep in mind that although doctors are very knowledgeable, it is NOT within their scope of practice to determine whether or not a child has a speech/language delay. Many doctors will tell parents of non-verbal children to 'wait' until they reach a certain age or that they do not need therapy. You have valid concerns; therefore, at this point, you are your child's best advocate.**

Answer 3

Well my son is 15 months old too, and he doesn't say much.  But my doc said because I'm always giving him what he wants when he whines so there would be no reason for him to try and tell me what it is that he wants.  He says, "bro-bro, and dada, but when I say "mama, he just smiles like he knows that I am his mama but he ain't going to tell me that he knows.  My son is very smart, so I'm not really trippin, he  understands me clearly, and watches his little movies, and plays with his toys, and watches Wheel of fortune and Jeapardy, so Im not worried about, and you shouldn't be either.  He'll talk when he gets good and darn ready to talk!!!

Answer 4

You can get his hearing checked, just in case.  But really, it's too soon to worry.  My son said his first real word shortly before 18 months and then like ten new words the following week.  Kids go on their own learning paths.  I talked to my pediatrician and he was not concerned.  As long as he doesn't show signs of autism, it's too early to worry.  Speech intervention doesn't really start until their at least 2 unless they're not attempting to speak.

Answer 5

I would get some help with him. My daughter is a year old and does speech therapy because she only says a few of the sounds, your son should be atleast saying dada  and mama by now. My daughter finally just said dada the other day and her therapist was thrilled.  get him checked out because you are better safe than sorry when it comes to your children, dont wait, even if it turns out to be just him taking his time to talk, you will feel much better knowing you made sure nothing was wrong.

Answer 6

I think my pediatrician would be concerned because he always asks what she is saying and at 15 months I remember he wanted to make sure she was saying some words, especially mommy daddy.  My daughter said Gaggy for daddy are you sure your baby isn't saying it but in a different way?

Answer 7

Please ignore the other posters and listen to Cam...she is telling you 100% the truth. My son was only saying a few words at 18months old and I waited just like his pediatrician told me to. That was the biggest mistake I ever made. By the time I had him screened between 24 and 27 months old he was a full year behind in his expressive speech and had been having horrible tantrums from frustration for 6 months or more. he has been in speech for less than 6 months now and has made dramatic progress with just 1 hour a week of therapy. He knows 50+ sign language signs and 200+ verbal words. He may have a mild case of apraxia, but he is doing very well and may continue therapy in preschool this fall. I wish I had gotten him screened at 18 months when he first concerned me. He could possibly be closer to age level if I had.

feel free to contact me if you want to

Answer 8

babies repeat what they hear, so if everyone is doing "baby Talk" around him then that is all he knows, I talk to babies just like I would talk to you or any other adult. that is how I raised all of mine, and I would not allow anyone to goo goo, ga ga around him either

Answer 9

Definitely make an appt. with his ped. My son sees a speech therapist through the school district, he has been in this program since he was 3 and has made so much progress he will be starting kindergarten this year. The babbling your son is doing is a good sign, he may just be concentrating on the physical rather than speaking. Keep encouraging him to say mama and try a word that starts with D, like dada or dog. Kids develop differently so just see what your ped says.

Answer 10

does the pediatrician not ask you about his speech when he goes in for his checkups? you need to be sure that the pedi.. is aware of this and that way he can get you a referral to a speech therapist... that is not good that he is 15 months old and not even saying mommy or daddy... my son is 18 months old and he does say words... but he is being put in speech because that is all he does.. he does not try to say sentences... i would bring it up at his next visit to the dr (if he has already gone to his 15 month checkup then it can wait until he is due for his 18 month checkup).