19 months old and no speech progress in 2+ months

Smudges*Mom

I am concerned about LO's language development.  He says mama, dada, uh-oh and ah-dat (what's that).  He can sign milk, more and please.  He has been able to say/sign these words for 2+ months now (maybe even more, I can't remember precisely).  He is almost 19.5 months old.  I know that kids develop differently, but what bothers me is the lack of progress.  I made an appointment to see his pediatrician on Monday.   

SaIF, tell me, would you be concerned?  What are your thoughts?  

FWIW, DH and I are both "late bloomers".  My dad did not talk until he was three.  LO is an only child and I am home with him (meaning no daycare).  He is in an activity class (gross motor) once, often twice a week, and we have playdates at least 3 times a month (more if possible).  It is difficult not to compare kids. . . but there are kids in his activity class who are his age and are talking (and seeming to understand) A LOT more.

TIA! 

charmcitygirl

While I think that Grant is about to take off with his speech at any moment, there is no reason not to get him evaluated.  The thing is that if he qualifies for speech therapy it can only help him.  There's nothing invasive or disturbing about it to him, so it just seems like he's playing with this new person.  Additionally, the therapist will give you things that you can do to improve his speech.

Its something we all worry about from time to time.  I know your pedi is relatively laid back, but for something like this...I just don't see any reason NOT to do it.

LuckySunshineBaby

I do think kids develop at their own rate and often stay "stagnant" in certain areas for awhile.  I wouldn't be concerned about the type of development, it sounds right for your childs age.

That said, I had a gut feeling about my daughters speech about 1.5 months ago.  Similar issue of not seeing any progress.  DD talked early and often, with a big vocab by age 2.  However, from her second birthday on, we've noticed she can say new words and simple sentences that she uses daily, but no improvement on sentences and become totally intelligible when speaking more than 2 words or more at a time.  So, I'm a huge fan of going with your gut.

Everyone told me I was crazy and that she was fine.  We took her to the Pedi who said it didn't sound like a real concern, but that Early Intervention would come out if I wanted.  Long (er) story short, she qualifies for EI for an undetermined at this time issue and starts Speech therapy in another week.  The speech therapist that evaluated said from a evaluation stand point, she did not meet the criteria.  But from her clinical viewpoint, DD would benefit from speech therapy.  So, no matter what ANY one tells you, it could be totally nothing, but it's worth going with your gut:)

futrkingsley

The lack of progress in DS is what prompted me to call in early start.  I told his pedi I was concerned at 15 months when he had no words and only two gestures.  He agreed and said if no progress in a month, call.  I did, he qualified, he got weekly in home therapy. It was rough going at first -- lots of tears on my part and his, but in time, it worked and worked well.  He barely qualified to continue past his first 6 month allotment as he was almost up to "normal" by then.  A year later, he talks like a much older child and is doing great. 

Good luck!

Nicole.

I understand your concern, but he's probably fine.  Jake is 3 weeks younger than Grant, but we already got the ball rolling on EI.  We actually had our first appt on Monday with an intake coordinator.  It's a few step process here so I wanted to start.  Jake's pedi isn't concerned, but she said if he qualifies it will only help him.  Here in Westchester county EI is free for everyone and it's a wonderful program- I figure, why not?  As a rule, our pedi said Jake should have 30 words by 21 months. He has 4 right now. Unless he has a major language explosion within the next 2 1/2 months, he definitely won't be saying 30 words.  ALso, the intake coordinator we met with on Monday said 85% of the children that receive services in our county for speech are boys.  They tend to be a little slower. 

Like I said to start- he's probably fine, but go with your gut. There's absolutely nothing wrong with calling EI in the mean time and getting the ball rolling

hannah&ben

Well, Henry was/is similar.  Knew about 3 words at 18 months (he only made 3 consonant sounds m, d and b and 2 vowel sounds ah & uh and now at 20 1/2 months is still the same).  He didn't make any progress between his 15 month and 18 month well child checkups so pedi sent us for a speech eval.  I should note he also signs extensively, he uses about 12 signs spontaneously & regularly and about 6 more when prompted.  With those skills his expressive languague (talking) tested at the level of a 9-12 month old.  However, his receptive language (understanding) tested at the level of a 30 month old.

He's starting speech therapy at the children's hospital and also in our home with the state run EI program, so, he'll have it twice a week.. 

I'm sure that my opinion is completely colored by our experience.  But, I wanted to share (not to alarm you, just to inform you).  Because, every time I expressed concern to friends and family it was poo-pooed.... I heard lots of "oh everyone talks for him" and "so and so didn't talk till they were 5" and "he'll be talking before you know it and then he'll never shut up".  Um, no, he has a major problem that could take years to fix.....

So, mama, if your gut tells you something isn't quite right - do something about it - talk to your pedi see what he/she says.  And, if that doesn't make you feel better, in most states you can have your child evaluated with EI without a referral... you don't pay for any of the evaluations and in the end if he doesn't qualify... well, then good, he's on track!  But, if he does, then also good - he's getting help to get to where he should be.

Feel free to PM or shoot me an email if you wanna talk more about it (powers dot hannah at gmail)

Hannah

Smudges*Mom

Thanks ladies!  I think, for the most part, I am do a decent job of letting LO be LO.  But, the lack of progress is really getting to me.  And, truth be told, I am starting to wonder about his receptive language, too.  He used to respond more to our questions, like, where is your nose?  But now, he does not, usually, respond.  

LO's pediatrician is realistic and laid back.  I think that he reads situations very well.  I know that he will listen to my concerns and point us in the right direction.  I feel better asking for the doctor's help and opinion, even at the risk of looking like "that mom" than for there to be something wrong and not pursue it.

Thank you for sharing personal stories.  Being a parent is so difficult.  There is such a fine line to walk between what is typical/normal and when your kid really is unique!  It is good to be reminded that we are our kids' best advocates! 

mrsolsenk12

I agree about going with your gut. If your gut tells you there is a problem, then have it checked out. El can only help him if he qualifies for it. Even if he doesn't, the SLP might be able to give you some advice on how to increase his language skills.

dundasgirl

As you know Reed was a late talker.  He didn't really have any words at 18 months.  He said Ga! for car. 

I took him to be evaluated and he qualified for Early Words.  By age 2 he was saying so many words that he was caught up...however he still had pronouncation issues.  We decided to have him evaluated again at about 28 months.  He was within range for the number of words and combinations of words but still some pronounciation issues.  We are heading back next week to have him evaluated again.

I found that with each session, even if it was brief, that Reed learned so much.  And they gave me so many great tips on helping him along.

Right now when they don't have many words, you can work on sounds...like animal sounds.  And actions words like "crash!" or "uh-oh!". 

I found when it was just me and Reed, I was talking in full sentences to him often.  He understood what I was saying but it was too complex for him to emulate me.  After talking to his speech pathologist, I began to speak in much simpler terms to him.

More, milk, up, down, go, bed, nite nite, bye bye, etc.  Expressive words like Yumm!  that way words are fun and exciting.  who wants to say "shirt" or "cow" when you could say "moooo!" or "GO!".

If he is babbling, like bababa, pick up a doll and say "baby!".  Turn his babbling into words for him.

Also, our speech pathologist told us to let him get frustrated.  I didn't want him to be upset, so I would just give him what he needed.  Milk, diaper change, toys, etc.  I never made him tell me what he wanted because I already knew.  Allowing him to learn to use words to communicate was a big step for me.

After saying all of that, I believe that some babies are more verbal than others.  You can help him along, but he may just not be ready to talk yet.  He is still really young. 

Like charm said, it is a great idea to get him evaluated.  then you will know where he stands.  he may farther ahead than you think.

itsmevkb

I'm in the don't worry about it camp.  My son had a major language explosion a little bit past his second birthday and I haven't been able to get him to stop talking since.  Prior to that, my mother who taught kindergarten for a gazillion years, was threatening to kidnap him and take him to see someone about his lack of speech/progress.  I just think that every kid develops at different rates and I believe this is something that boys tend to be slower with than girls as well.  If you give it a few more months I think you'll be shocked by how much he starts talking.

After that experience with my son I am amazed by how much my daughter talks.  She uses full sentences and isn't yet two, which is just such a contrast from how it was with Shannon.  But, I think having him around and talking so much helps her and again, I'm going with each kid is different.