talking regression

kc192

When my kiddo was 16 mo he was saying quite a few words and adding to his vocab. Now he's 18 mo and barely talking. He has resorted to a variety of different kinds of grunts and pointing. Still says a few words (says them almost every day) but really doesn't use a lot of the words he used to. His comprehension increases very quickly and I don't think it's a hearing problem because he can point to about just about every body part if I ask "where is". He waves hi and bye and makes eye contact. He communicates, he just has started to communicate with just about everything but words. has this happened to anyone else? I have an pedi appt on Tues but I'm curious how normal or abnormal this is. Oh, and he LOVES his pacifier. I've started cutting back because I'm thinking he talks less b/c it's in his mouth. He's also our only child and only grandchild, so let's just say, he's the center of attn A LOT and really probably doesn't need to talk to get his needs met if you know what I mean!

AmandaP678

My oldest did almost exactly that.  EI told me it's not necessarily regression, but he could be working on a new area of development. I would definitely continue to monitor his speech. Try and hold off and encourage speech before handing him the desired item, especially if it;s words you know had/has. Lots of modeling and repetition, clap out the words. offer choices and offer the item he wants second. kids are more likely to repeat the 2nd word they hear.

You can also run it be pedi just in case for reassurance. 

 

twirlyjack73

We have a similar issue.  Ditto previous poster & btw I had one pedi say if he didn't improve by 21 months he should be evaluated for a speech delay (& didn't think he had any other problems) yet his other pedi said wait until 2 years old. 

 I did just have him evaluated b/c I didn't want to wait.  While he's 6 months ahead of his age in everything evaluated for, he is 6 months behind in speech-that of a 15 month old.  So speech therapy was indicated & a friend told me that nearly every state has Early Intervention Services for kids up to age 3. So I googled that for my state & nobody is excluded regardless of income however it's on a sliding scale.  For us tho it's still better than private b/c they come to the house & it's for an hour (for anybody) whereas private coverage is only 1/2 hour.  Plus no co-pay, only the small co-insurance percentage.  So about$10 for an in-home hour via E.I.S. with unltd weekly visits until age 3, vs $30 for half an hour had I gone w/o the gov't.  GL

kc192

Thank you so much for your responses! A friend told me that toddlers often focus on one area at a time and not to worry that he wasn't talking but it just seems strange that he no longer says things he used to. Of course the idea of autism scares me but he's very interactive with people. He would just rather grunt rather then talk. : he did say "teeth" for the first time today though so I'm encouraged by that and by your responses. I will look into early intervention for sure about this. Thanks!

Ps... How are your kids doing now?

twirlyjack73

His dr too said that about focusing & words coming & going.  But you have instincts & should follow them, or at least look into them.  I'm so glad I didn't listen to other people, we'd be months behind in gettng help.

 He's coming along well.  He's very far from autistic, in fact he's super duper social & both of those things were noted by his drs & speech therapist.  He simply has an "isolated speech delay".  It's helpful to have someone else work with him & I saw an improvement from the very first visit.  It's also nice to have someone available to innstruct & advise me. His comprehension is wonderful, he just has a lack of vocab words & correct pronounciation. Poor thing. Just needs time & a little help. Therapy is all playtime to him, so it's wonderful.  Best of luck.