Should I be concerned that my 18 month old son does not talk yet?

Question

My son is 18 months old and I'm concerned that he does not talk yet, he maybe knows about 3 words. When we talk to him it seems that he does not understand us. He is my first child and I don't know if this is normal. Any ideas.

Answer 1

No this is perfectly normal since some kids develop this earlier than others. The only help that I managed to do is only provide the tools need for them to start learning how to talk. As for when they will start talking is up to them. I got them toys and games from this one site that sells educational toys for kids these ages and they worked like a charm. You can go ahead and try these toys I for one strongly recommend them.

Answer 2

According to my mother in law , my husband didn't talk at all until he was about 3. He was also delayed in motor and social skills. He now owns his own consulting company. Graduated Summa *** Laude with a double degree..was a concert violinist and participated in competitive sports in college.

Some kids are just later than others...give him time.

Answer 3

i think it fine my son is almost 2 and the only word he say it choo choo and mama that it i work with him but kids do what they want at there pass you can't make them talk when there ready they will talk and then at that point you can't get them to stop  

Answer 4

make sure you talk to him in slow simple sentences i had the same problem with myson now 2. at 18 months he seemed clueless. i started pointing things out like ball and dog and tree etc and naming them and everything i saw i kept naming an eventually he picked up on it. some babies dont talk until 2 or a little after but he shold denfinitely be using sentences at 2 and a half. if there seems to be no improvement in the next month or so then consult your doctor for further advice but i wouldn't worry just yet pet. every child is different. just plenty of encouragement and praise and he should start coming along gradually

Answer 5

Have you had his 18 month check up yet? Talk to your doc. 3 words is a good start, especially if he is making lots of other experimental type sounds.

Answer 6

My son could say "HERE JACK" (our dog) at 10 mos. My daughter said no way Jose at 13 mos. My gran daughter only shook her head no at 18 mos.. she also pointed. My grandson is 22 mos and won't speak at all. and he is ok  Just have a hearing test done(or you can clap your hands behind his back and see if he turns around.) Some kids do not need to talk. ask your pediatrician for advice !

Answer 7

My 18 months he may or may not be able to speak many words, esp. for a boy.  But you should be concerned if he is not understanding you.  That tells me he may have a hearing problem.  

Most children have a 18 mo. well child checkup and you should speak to your doctor then.  Or, also if your state has early childhood intervention, see if someone can come by and do a hearing test for free.  

Good luck!

Answer 8

i think you should look into the issue and i would be a little concerned, but don't worry about it too much. there are many things that could be going on, and it could be that your son is just a little bit of a late bloomer. many gifted individuals in history didn't have a good handle on language skills until well over 3. you should talk to your doctor at the next appointment you go to, but just keep working with him. reading and just talking in general, as long as you are constantly including him in your daily conversations and narrating daily tasks he should catch on and start surprising you with a verbal explosion soon.  

Answer 9

My daughter at age 2 said approximately 4 words. But, soon after her 2nd birthday, she started talking more and this fall she is entering her junior year of college as an education major with a 3.81 GPA.  I was told that if you can give her multiple instructions that she could do, then she is intelligent, just not ready to speak.  So, I told her to

1)go to my bedroom and

2) bring me my the book

3)on the table next to the bed.  

She did it easily and I relaxed some.  If you really have concerns, start with your pediatrician, but not talking at 18 months isn't that big a deal. I know for you it is because you are seeing children under that age speaking in sentences.  Been there.  Keep reading to your son and increasing his ability to understand words.  Chances are, he'll start talking soon and never shut up. :)