Toddler not talking much? Time to worry?

Question

My son is almost 18 months. He only really says mama and dada clearly. A few other words he tries, he will say, "liddle liddle liddle" and do "this little piggy to his toes." And makes the noise of the objects he wants. And I definitly know he understands what I say to him.. He will almost always complete task or get what I am telling him to.

Anyway... His doctor had said boys take longer to talk. Also since he is an only child (for a few more months anyway) and rarly is around kids his age- usually those are things that encourage the speaking.

I have not really been worried about it and have just kept my eye out for possible play groups (not many young kids around) and he is now going to the toddler-3 year old class at church which will be great.

My dad keeps asking me... wondering what he/we all can do to help him, like it is a major concern? Should I be more concerned? Dad starting to make me a bit more concerned since he's had 7 babies himself.

Answer 1

I wouldn't be overly concerned.  However, you need to take the extra effort here by not responding as quickly to the grunts and points from your son.  If he points and grunts at something like he wants it, like a book, what you need to do is. "That's a book.  can you say book?" strongly encourage him to at least try before he gets what he wants.  Also, getting him around other kids his age is a very good step.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

please take him to early intervention as soon as you can. My son only said 10 words at 18-24 months old. I was worried at 18 months but listened to my doctor when he told me not to worry and wait, he would catch up. He didn't. At 2 years old I had him checked by early intervention and he was diagnosed with a 12 month delay in expressive speech. he was very frustrated and starting to make up his own sign language. He has now been in speech for 5 months and knows 150-200 verbal words and 50+ signs. he still has to sign AND speak to be understood, but he is trying hard daily.

feel free to contact me and I can give you some ideas and maybe mail you some materials his ST has copied for me.

Answer 3

I have 3 boys and they all were slow to talk.  Just keep talking to him clearly and he'll pick up at his own pace.  You may just ask your dad to talk, describe actions or read to him if he wants to help.  Just don't let it frustrate you, he's not at all behind.

Answer 4

It seems like he follows directions well (good sign).  At age 2 when kids are not talking yet (putting 2 or 3 word sentences together) it's important to get them evaluated for speech delay.  My first daughter was speech delayed.  At 18 months, the dr. did the wait and see, because it could just be a late talker.  She started speech therapy shortly after she turned 2.  With my second daughter, at 18 months, the dr. figured she would follow in her sister's footsteps, but opted for the wait and see because whether they start speech therapy at 18 months or 2 years, the final outcome is the same.  She is now in speech therapy (28 months old).  This is all done through the early intervention program.  It's free for the most part, and you only pay for therapy on a sliding scale fee, based on your monthly income.  I should add that with early intervention, you can have your child evaulated in the comfort of your own home, and speech therapy is at your home (or your sitters house, daycare, etc.).  Very convenient.  Otherwise, don't be too concerned.  I was very concerned with my first, and my entire family harping on it didn't help.  With my second, I relaxed a bit, and knew that she will talk on her own (with a little help from therapy).

Answer 5

Has he had a lot of ear infections? The reason I ask is because my daughter had a lot of ear infections and didn't speak well and had to take speech therapy until she was in the 2nd grade. It all had to do with ear infections because when they have them they cannot hear well. She is now a straight A 6th grader. Also when he wants something try to make him say the word rather than just make noises.

Answer 6

It sounds like your little boy is fine.  Children really do start to speak at different rates.  I would be concerned if your child was not understanding what you say to him, but that does not sound like a problem at all.  Many children, especially boys, are slow to start and then have a "language explosion" closer to 2.  If you don't notice your son using more words closer to his 2nd birthday, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have his speech evaluated just to be sure everything's okay.  You can go through your state's local early intervention (Part C) program to do this for FREE regardless of income.  Here's a link to find your state's coordinator:

http://nectac.org/contact/ptccoord.asp

For right now, though, I wouldn't worry about it.  Just talk to your son a lot and read, read, read.  I can tell you that I worked in intake for our early intervention program in SC for four years, and it does not sound like your son would qualify for our program.  At his age, we would worry more about his receptive skills (what he's able to understand) more so than his expressive (what he's able to produce).

Answer 7

You say he's getting his points across to you with pointing,sign language and sound...that may be why he's not using words because you don't require him to. Its important to be consistent every time he wants to express something to say names of objects etc...so that he associates them. Every time you give him something to drink "You want apple juice in your cup? Here's your cup!" etc...its how i taught my 2 and they were both well spoken at a young age.

Answer 8

You have nothing to worry about.  Boys are usually slower to pick up language skills, and even though he is not talking, he is communicating to you with sign language and other noises.  So he is getting his point across, as well as understands what you say.  You should wait to see how he is doing by his second birthday, since that is when language skills should really take off.  If he's still not talking by 2years, then you should talk to the doctor about it  :)

Answer 9

First step would be to bring him to the pediatrician's office, but you have already done that....so you get to skip to the second step. Doctors come in all different breeds....some are very quick to recommend further evaluation while others take the wait and see approach. If you have a concern, and you feel that you are not satisfied with your doctors answer....you can seek a second opinion. The earlier you catch a delay, the sooner you can get appropriate services and the sooner the delay can be corrected to the extent possible. Since he is under three years old, you should check the phone book for the number of your local early intervention services provider....kids over three are typically dealt with through the public school system. If you can't find it, call the public health department (most offer vaccination clinics to uninsured families and often work together with early intervention to pick up kids that come through) or school district and ask if they can point you in the right direction.

Once you get the number, give them a call...tell them that you are concerned about your son's speech....they will ask you for some basic information and most likely will have you come in for an evaluation, or have you come to an evaluation clinic....most early intervention services offer child find clinics on a frequent basis.....they do a basic evaluation to "find" children who might be in need of services, and then move them on to the more in depth testing process. If they find anything questionable during the evaluation, they are going to have you come back for further evaluation and testing.....they can also refer you to a pediatrician that is experienced in working with children with speech delays,etc. Once they determine what is the cause of the speech delay, they can then determine if something medical can be done....tubes in the ears to drain fluid, etc. If it doesn't have a correctable biological cause or if their is still some delay after corrective procedures, your son will receive speech therapy through the early intervention program. Most will come right to your home to work with the kids. They will also likely recommend some of the things you have already looked into...playgroups, preschool classes, etc.

Worst case scenario is that they won't find anything and life goes on as you know it, and the Dr was right. There is no harm to be had in seeking a second opinion. No doctor worth his medical degree would get offended by a patient seeking a second opinion....if they do get offended you need to find a new doctor.

Answer 10

I am not a doctor but a mother, boys do seem to be a little harder to get to talk. We had the same concern for my nephew who is 3 now. He didnt talk much at all at your sons age. It is a little harder on him because he doesnt have any kids his own age around. Kids have a special communication between them. Though he is able to tell you what he needs and make sounds of things this is great. I would only be of concern if he doesnt start saying more around  his seoncd birthday or after. The fact that he does sign language is a big thing too, he may prefer to sign instead of talk. I think he is okay. Just wait it out and see how he does in the next couple of months. My daughter is almost 22 months and she is just now starting to talk a good bit. Once you notice they are saying one or two words they just keep coming out.