Speech Development

Littlered8034 · January 2014

I have an 18 month old and he is brilliant. He is my whole world. But I am starting to worry about his verbal development. Physically he will take on any challenge. He is practically climbing the trees out front. And he is VERY smart. He understands everything you tell him or ask him. But he refuses to speak. He says the basic "mama" and "dada" and "hello". After that it's all baby talk.
The pediatrician says that if we don't see a language explosion in the next three months, that she wants to call a specialist.. that way he won't be too far behind when we reach his 2nd birthday.
I am doing exactly as instructed.. I am pointing out objects in detail. Offering him the chance to choose for himself as often as possible. And encouraging him daily to use his words. I don't want to bombard him because I don't want to force it, and thereby frighten his voice out of him. However, to be honest, I am worried that he is just so far behind the kids his age.

minervacullen · January 2014

Have you tried using sign language with the verbal push? That might help. Or it could be he's too busy to talk, taking it all in... Hang in there.

singingirl96 · January 2014

Hi. My son is also 18 months, and like yours is mostly non-verbal. He grunts and points to what he wants. He excels at everything else, climbs like a monkey, is ubber smart, so we're not concerned with anything else.

When he was 15 months old, I called the local infants and toddlers program. They did a screening over the phone, and just yesterday came out to the house for an evaluation. It takes a while to finally get the eval, but it would have been about 4 weeks sooner but we got snowed out. Anyway, they evaluated him, and as suspected he passed on all his skills except for speech. They rated him with an 8 month level for speech since all he says is mama, and nothing else. He has some vowel sounds, but no words or any other consonant sounds other than "mmm" sounds. Not really baby talking / babbling either.
They said they are happy I called and they'll start speech therapy in two weeks. I should add that our pediatrician wasn't too overly concerned when I talked to him around 15 months. But I called anyway.

The infant and toddlers programs are usually run by the local county schools, so most places have it available. It is completely free, so you should not delay and call them now because it does take some time to get an evaluation in place. And, since it is free, it doesn't hurt to call them anyway. You want to stay ahead of the curve so he doesn't fall far behind.

To put your mind at ease, and I don't know how true it is, but, I've heard that kids that excel in other areas tend to have speech delays. Plus it is more common for boys to not want to talk. Especially if you know what he wants without him speaking.

Good luck with his progress. You and I are in the same boat...

emberlee3 · January 2014

I would call EI now rather than waiting 3 more months. It can take a while to get an evaluation scheduled.

ashiscute · January 2014

I would probably call now and see at least what type of wait time you are looking at. Based on what you said your DS would probably qualify for services with EI.

My DD was 15 months when we called EI. She had no words and did not babble too much. The Pedi wasn't too concerned but I didn't want to wait. She qualified for a delay with expressive language and started therapy at 17 months. (It is not always a fast process.) Speech therapy at this age is exactly what you're describing what you need for your son. Other ways to work on communicating with him and having him communicate with you. The therapy is almost more for you since they focus on teaching you techniques.

At his age it could be nothing and he could have a language explosion any day. Or it could a speech issue (there are plenty that only affect expressive language, not receptive.) Good luck!

singingirl96 · January 2014

I wanted to add that when I called Infant and Toddlers, they also sent me to do a hearing test with my son. It was also free. He passed. It doesn't hurt to get things checked out.

amarie923 · January 2014

I felt the same way when my daughter was 17/18 months. At 21 months I still felt she was behind compared to other kids her age (which I know I shouldn't compare) and set up a meeting with a speech therapist. Literally the week after I called, my daughter's vocab just exploded. She did not qualify for speech therapy when they came to the house to do the visit. (which I thought would take awhile, but it only took 1 week for them to set up the first appt). I'd say she had a solid 15 words at that time and now, one month later, well over 50. It was like overnight. She was following our directions, pointing out all her body parts, pointing them out on us, pointing to people when we asked "where's daddy" "where's grandma", etc..so I knew she was developing. If you're nervous, follow your gut and look into speech therapy. It can't hurt, and if he starts talking, you can always stop.

Jmollo28 · January 2014

my son turns 19 months on the 19th and he is the exact same way.. no kidding! He can follow my commands, such as put up your toys, or go say goodbye to your sister etc. He doesnt say anything, just grunts and drags me around and points. I've been using objects, cards, books, foods etc.. and he wont repeat stuff. Every once in a while, something will come out. like, last night he wanted some water, he said wawer.. LOl so I'm like.. OMG yay.. but never again! wouldnt say a thing.. so I was worrying about the same thing. He doesnt even use consistent words like mom or dad.. he more babbles.. dadadda.. but I dont know if he even knows he's saying dad. He is the same thing, he will climb our couch and he is very physically active and advanced.. but his speech is my concern too!

ashiscute · January 2014

Jmollo28 said:

my son turns 19 months on the 19th and he is the exact same way.. no kidding! He can follow my commands, such as put up your toys, or go say goodbye to your sister etc. He doesnt say anything, just grunts and drags me around and points. I've been using objects, cards, books, foods etc.. and he wont repeat stuff. Every once in a while, something will come out. like, last night he wanted some water, he said wawer.. LOl so I'm like.. OMG yay.. but never again! wouldnt say a thing.. so I was worrying about the same thing. He doesnt even use consistent words like mom or dad.. he more babbles.. dadadda.. but I dont know if he even knows he's saying dad. He is the same thing, he will climb our couch and he is very physically active and advanced.. but his speech is my concern too!

What did your pedi say at your LO's 18 mo checkup? My DD has said words like that and then never used them again. She said "my dog" clear as day in Aug '12 and then didn't start saying consistently and correctly until probably this last July.

If you are concerned contact EI and get him evaluated. If he qualifies a speech therapist will help you to communicate with him and him communicate with you. It really has been so huge for us.

APendola · January 2014

My daughter is 18 months as well and I remember at the 12 month appointment the doctor said she wants her to be saying lots of words by the time of her 18 month appointment. Well a couple months ago, I was scared because DD wasn't saying much at all ... but a lot ended up changing in a short time. Now she is saying a handful of words and she is trying to say new words when I point something out and ask her "can you say?". So, just remember that a lot can change in a short time with babies.

I know other parents who said their kids didn't say much until they were close to two and then they started saying a few new words daily. So try not to stress. You are doing a good job. Keep encouraging him, but don't feel discouraged if it takes time.

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