Development of a 21 Month Old

My son is 28 months and doesn't even say 15 words. We go to group speech therapy every week, and though it's only been about 6 weeks, I think it's helping a lot. A lot of parents are quick to assume autism, learning disabled, Etc. But sometimes a speech delay is just that! A speech delay. If he's communicating with you, and you understand what he wants, I'd rest easy.

Martha's comment about at 24 months he should be saying at least 50 words and putting words together...PLEASE! Give me a break. And introduce me to a child at that level.

K.,

By 24 months, he should have a minumum of 50 words and be putting two words together in a simple sentance. He should be intelegible, but not without articulation errors wich are typical and expected. It seems unlikely that he will make this mark by what you describe, so it would be a very good idea to get him an evaluation now, rather than to wait.

You also describe two possible issues with fine motor and sensory defensiveness, so you have three possible flags, and I would seek out evaluation and intervention. At the very least, I would call a Speech therapist and consult about the feeding issues, and see if you should seek out an occupational therapist for the limited food issues, because these could be sensory issues.

That he is busy is not a cause for a speech delay, and that he knows what you are saying just means that there is a large gap between his receptive and expressive langague, which is an issue unto itself that will respond to therapy.

Never wait on issues of development. They are far too important.

M.

Hi K.--
My degree is in development, so I do know about this academically, but also my older child was just like yours. At 21 months was about the time he started using a few words. He hated feeding himself. The keys to remember are the following: Does he communicate successfully? Does he understand what you are saying to him? Both of the answers to this seem to be yes, so in my opinion you really don't need to concern yourself at this point. A lot of little boys don't say much until the time they are around two. Some even later. Incidentally, my older son is now 6. He talks up a storm and has an amazing vocabulary. He is very active physically and has great gross motor skills. However, just like he didn't like feeding himself, he doesn't like to write--fine motor skills just aren't his thing. He's still stubborn like he was when he was little. I think your little one is just strong willed--nothing wrong with that, it will serve him well in life. And all little ones are different. My youngest son is now nearly 2 1/2. He practically talked from the word go, never let me feed him and used a spoon immediately, and is now speaking in complete paragraphs. Total opposite from my older one. My advice would be to allow your little one the time he needs--don't force the feeding issue. I promise he will do it when he is ready (and probably not one second before :-) ). My older one also drank from a cup a little later than other children, but so what? If you have to feed him a little bit longer, he's a baby still, enjoy it. It's easier to clean him up that way! I think you just have a strong-willed, active little boy. If he doesn't start talking more in about 3 to 4 months time you might re-visit this issue, but for now I don't think you have anything to worry about.
J.

Hi K. - it definitely sounds like it is worth getting him checked out. Lots of little kids have some speech and other developmental delays that with treatment can get them up to speed. My son has a speech delay and also some sensory delays - we had him tested for free through the Child Find program here in colorado. Every state has one - maybe do an internet search on Child Find Wyoming or early intervention services wyoming and I'm sure you will find something.

Child Find provided free speech therapy 1x week until my son turned 3 and now he is enrolled in a public school preschool program with an IEP. We also have him in private speech and OT to help him further. My son is a smart, active, happy and imaginative kid - he just also happens to have some delays so there is no stigma to having a child who needs some help.

I found this info doing a quick search: ###-###-#### for Jacqueline Watson Early Intervention Coordinator or check out link at http://www.wyomingco.net/youthbureau/early.html

My daughter is speech delayed. Her hearing tests come back perfect. She's in speech therapy. Since she was 24 months, she's 28 now. Speech is improving a little. Her receptive vocubular is enormous. I wonder if she has fluid on her ear drums or something- her speech has always sounded garbled and she certainly tries to talk. Have you ever had pressure in your ears and you could hear other people fine, but when you spoke it sounded garbled?? I have a feeling that's what my daughter's going through. Also- she's had 7 ear infections in 6 months. We're doing 1 more audiology screening and a consultation for tubes. I've let this persist long enough.
Make sure to check with your pediatrician. He/She can advise you of what you can and should do.

She's just now getting the hang of a spoon. She uses a fork most of the time. I use toddler spoons and forks. Check out the special spoons that accomodate for their odd little grasps. Babies R Us has a great selection.

I think this things are the kind of things you should don't worry to much but keep a close eye. As far as you see improvement he is fine.
My daughter start talking late and for me it was very scary because my older daughter talk early and talk A LOT.
By 18 months she may knew 15 words, actually they weren't even words, she would make animal noise and Oh oh, and ups, etc.
She is 24 months and I have count 50 words, she actually start putting some words together like: mas (Spanish for more) please? ok
But it all happen so quickly, I didn't even really notice, one month she didn't talk an the next she start copying everything.
I think they know more than what you think they just either don't feel the need (you say that he does very well on getting what he wants) or he haven't figure it out that he is expected to do it.
I let my daughter watch TV, I know some parents are against and I understand why, but I USE the TV to INTERACT with my child, I don't just turn it on and walk away.
She LOVES Noggin (Nick Junior now) and she sometimes is more willing to repeat things that Dora or Moose A Moose says then when I ask her too.
So we sit down and watch her shows and repeat and we even do the Team Umi Zomy dance together.
Keep talking to her, believe it or not, he is getting it, so just keep talking to him.
I will keep an eye in other signs that something is wrong, but if he is a happy child that interacts well, he seems to hear you when you call him, is shows affection to you, etc. then he maybe is just taking his time.
Try different things (TV shows, gymboree, music, etc)

Our son verbally was about the same as yours at that age. Everything was a single syllable word. At 24 months, when he went to full-time day care, he flourished.

Our daughter, at 21 months was much more verbal, but her progression to actually being able to comprehend her has been slower than her brother's. She's 27 months now, and there are still times I have to ask her to "show me" because I just can't comprehend her.

Has your pediatrician expressed any concern?
Our daughter had ear tubes at 10 months and again at 25 months. The ENT and pediatrician asked about her verbal development and both said that girls tend to be further ahead than boys at this age. They both thought her recurrent ear infections were a possible reason for being a little behind and have not addressed it further.

These are links to the developmental milestones according to the American Academy of Pediatric's parenting website, HealthyChildren.org
The final paragraph of the first link shows where the average child will be at his age:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddle...

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddle...

If you're not sure who to contact, try contacting your Public Health Agency for your county. They can probably point you to a program that does free developmental screenings.

In regards to the spoon, give him fun stuff to "scoop" for lunch--like applesauce; there are a wide variety of fruit blends now, in various colors (from yellow/orange to pink to dark purple) and let him play with it--try letting him do it after he's had some food so that he's not starving and can "play" (be prepared for the mess...). Yogurt is also fun for scooping. At bathtime, give him lots of different size spoons/ladles to play with so he improves the coordination with using them. My son gets a big kick out of using a soup ladle in the bathtub to drink from.... (I fill it from the tap with clean water first). If you have a sandbox, use scoops, spoons, etc. in there and show him how to pour the sand back and forth.

I had this problem, too. When this happened to my son, I asked the pediatrician. She asked me a couple of questions like how exactly did I know what he wanted? How did he communicate the info to me if he wasn't talking? Lightbulb moment! My son was not talking because I was not making him ask for the things he wanted - more often than not, his older brother was the one telling me what his brother wanted. I immediately began making my son say the words for the things he wanted, and not allowing his brother do the talking for him. This can be frustrating for both parent and child the first few times, but children are smart, and he'll get the idea quickly. I was the parent that caved the fastest, so it can be tempting to give up, but you do more harm than good if you do. Even young children understand that if refusals or fits get them what they want, they can go on for hours and drive a person crazy quickly! Another reason kids can have delayed speech is if there is more than one language spoken around them. I see this as a very good thing, because as they grow older, learning a second language only helps them develop excellent skills in several areas. As for the refusal to eat foods - well, my rule was always that the kids at least try it before they say they don't like it. This can be a little trickier tho, because you are always on the lookout for allergies or intolerances. Don't give up teaching self feeding, though! Keep trying, and be positive when doing the teaching. Kids love little games, and I used them often to turn learning into fun. I think kids learn to eat with their fingers first, because they have to learn how the food tastes, smells, looks, and feels. They grow out of it, but each one of my five has a story about their 'fingerpainting'! There are also foods that they don't want to eat at a certain age, that if reintroduced later, they may love.

I hope this helps you!

i had to laugh at the spoon throwing! does he ever get a chance to eat with other kids? kids this age often want to do what they see other children do, both older and younger. having someone else's kids over for lunch a few times can sometimes be the catalyst needed to get a toddler to try new things. this can also work for potty training. good luck!

I have only met one boy out of a ton of them that was speaking at 21 months. The averages include girls. Girls talk early. I wouldn't worry about it. I would, however, encourage him to use his words. So when he wants something, say "use your words." if he doesn't have the words, give them to him! Early language development is about learning "phrases," so give him the phrases and words he needs and encourage their use.

Do you have Parents as Teachers in your area? I would check it out...not only are they just an awesome resource all of the time, but you can get free screenings from them too. A close friend of mine had a similar situation with her kids. They were about that age maybe a month or two younger when she had them evaluated and they were speech delayed. She now has a therapist come once/week (all free thanks to PAT) to help the kids and educate the parents on what to do.

If you don't have this is an option, I still recommend getting him evaluated or at least talk to your pediatrician. Also, I would consider having him use spoons and forks at every meal. It might just take him a while to get used to it, but give him both so that he can decide which one is easier. I think my daughter did the fork easier and better before the spoon.

My son really didn't start talking until 30 mos, and even less at 21 mos than yours. I took him to be evaluated at ped -- all was well but they could not perform the hearing test (stubborn monkey:) ) so we "waited" to see.

Now almost 3 and talks up a storm. When I can conquer the binky, I'm sure his pronunciation will round out as well:) As for self-feeding, try a child's fork? My son hates spoons b/c he can't just shove the food in his face and leave the table quickly:)

Good luck Mom!

It sounds like he is able to get away with not using the words that he should, not that he doesn't know the words. Work with him, tell him to "use his words". When he asks for something non-verbally, tell him what it is and see if he will repeat it to you. There is incredible development between 21 months and 24 months, and I am noticing even more between 24 months and 27 months. They ask for 2 word sentences at the 24 month appointment, and now, 2.5 months later, I am getting 7 word sentences from my son. If you are concerned, call the ped, but he will probably not be worried by it.

For the feeding. What kind of spoon is he using? My son preferred the normal fork and spoon, and we would start him on applesauce and yogurt, and help with anything else till he got the hang of it. If nothing else, have them available, he may get curious. It is amazing how stubborn they can be at such a young age. Try to talk him through the frustration... Can you calm down please? I know that you are frustrated, would you like some help scooping up XXX? The more that you use a spoon and fork to feed him, the more he will want to grab it and feed himself.

Sounds very normal. I wouldn't worry for 3-5 months.

It seems that kids develop O. thing or the other first--either verbal skills or motor skills. Sounds like your guy has great motor skills. I'm betting the verbal will follow.
If you are really concerned, talk to your pediatrician about it. They may refer you to a speech evaluation or they may advise you to wait it out.
As for the spoon, I wouldn't rush it or be that concerned...just have it available for him to see, use, play with when he wants.

I can't address the spoon/eating thing, but I can tell you that my daughter was also rather late getting started with speech. Here's what I was told - at age 2, the minimal threshold is 30 words (they don't have to be "adult" clear, just consistent - the same sounds used to represent the same thing/idea) and at least the beginnings of 2 word combinations. My daughter just barely met minimums at 2. By 2 and a half, she was talking in complete sentences, and had all her sounds, including her "r". She was also a very active child and an early walker (runner). One of the older ladies at my church shared an old adage with me - "Early walker, late talker." In my family's case, this has proven true.

So I guess what I'd advise you to do is to keep paying attention, but don't lose sleep (yet). Here are some tactics that seemed to help get my girl talking. Speak normally to your son, and talk to him a lot - tell him what you're doing and why as you go through your day, and identify things for him. Then don't make communication without words too easy. If he points to something he wants, request that he use words to ask you for it. (Don't demand perfection, though - if it's clear to you, it's clear enough.) If you are still uneasy with his progress, take him in for an evaluation - an effective evaluator will make the process comfortable and even fun for your little guy.

My son is the same age! I always tell my son to look at my mouth when I say something new that he tries to repeat, per the advice of my mother, the dyslexia therapist.

As far as the spoon goes, I always offer one to him. He mainly uses it with yogurt, but sometimes sticks his whole dang hand in it..haha.. and with milk and cheerios. But meal time, he usually eats with his hands and we just encourage him to try the spoon/fork. Does he have a favorite stuffed animal?? Kole likes to feed his puppy and then feed himself sometimes, maybe that would get him to try again. Best of luck!!

My daughter didn't say much while her friends were chatting away.... then around 25 months she just took off talking! So don't worry. Plus I think boys might talk a bit later. My nephews sure did.
As for the spoon, really relax. My daughter is now 27 months and is just now mastering a spoon and fork and even then most of it ends up on her face, lap and floor. So just give him time. My daughter uses her hands lots of the time and I don't see a problem with it. She is a kid and at least she is eating. I don't care how she gets it in her mouth :)
It seems like at this stage every month brings something new, so just enjoy the ride!

Martha is right. 50 words at 24 months and starting to put words together is the baseline. At his age, 15 words isn't terrible but why not have him evaluated just in case. A lot of times, parents don't even notice lots of things that are a concern to professionals. For example...you said he makes his needs known without words. Does he take you to what he wants? Believe it or not, that could be a "red flag". Getting him evaluated can only help, it can't hurt.

If you have concerns, check into ChildFind. There should be some kind of services through the public schools in your area. My kids all needed speech therapy. The eval through the schools is free. You can encourage him. Give him choices. Do you want milk or juice? Do you want up. Say up. Count anything he tries to do. I had one who answered ju, another would say "p". Be flexible, and encourage any efforts. My daughter (barely 2) just started saying complete sentences. The problem is, she also only has about 20 words, most of which she doesn't use -- thus the therapy. It really does help, depending on the kid. If you have to go through insurance, check your benefits. Our son gets only 2 years through insurance, so we did as much of the schools stuff as we could for him, so we can save the benefits for later if the school isn't doing enough. I know it's a ways off, but both my boys speech improved tremendously when they started reading.

As far as using a spoon goes, I don't remember what age my oldest started using it. I do know that my younger two started much earlier since they wanted to be like big brother. One advantage to the school eval, is they check all those kinds of things. It's a full evaluation, OT, PT, and all. GL!

If you haven't got answers already, here is mine. As a Speech Language Pathologist myself, I would suggest to have your child evaluated by a 'Child Find' (named differently in each state and county) team. They are through your school district... Even if the child is not school age, you can still get an evaluation which is Federally funded so at no cost to you usually. Tell them you are concerned about his expressive language and his feeding. An Occupational Therapist can look at his fine motor skills that may be part of the reason with the spoon thing etc. This all is called early intervention and is a wonderful thing you can do for your child to help get the skills he needs. The earlier the better. Between 18-24 months, children usually begin speaking in 2 word combinations 'mommy shoe' and have about 150 words to express in their vocabulary. Tip: make sure when he can communicate his wants without saying it...that you don't read his mind for him. Try to get him to say it before you do it for him. A lot of us parents do this so just laugh at it when you can catch yourself doing for him (if you do). Good luck and nice job on catching this. :)
D.