Mom of 17 Month Old Seeking Advice on Son Who Doesn't Say Too Many Words

My son was on the same schedule. He understood everything I said and followed commands. He maybe spoke 6-8 words and at two, maybe a dozen. I asked my pedi and she said not to worry until he is 2.5 and you don't see progress. Just two months after his 2nd bday and he is off like a verbal rocket!! I was nervous, but he wasn't exhibiting any other signs of an issue. I would monitor him, but give it some time and patience. All kids are on different schedules.

Okay... both of my sons had/have speech issues. You and your ped. are right to be concerned this early. But concerned is a lot different than jumping into therapy. He should be using some words in context by 18 months. Boys tend to talk later... and it does seem like there is a big language explosion when they turn 2, but the fact that he isn't using any words, just babbling right now is a big concern. Reading to him is great. Point to pictures on the page and say what the item is. Encourage him to try saying the word several times. If he wants something, try not to give him what he wants until he attempts to say the word. (Very hard to do, I know, but if he gets all his needs satisfied why should he talk?) Repeat words at least three times in a row, encouraging him to try. These are some of the things a speech therapist will do with him, and tell you to do with him at home between visits. If the ped. still wants to do therapy when you see him/her in January Look into the Early Intervention program through the state. They are absolutely wonderful!

You make it sound like "having to see a speech therapist" would be bad. If that is what he needs, then it will in fact be great for him. He may be frustrated if he is saying things and you don't understand them. Maybe he needs a little extra help - we all need some help in something. It is better that he get the help as soon as possible as early intervention tends to be more successful. It can I know be stressful. I think we all worry a lot about whether are children are doing what they should be at different times but sometimes we do need to get a little assistance. Good luck.

I've read most of the other posts and they are right on. My older son only said about 8 words when he turned 2, and we started him in the Zero to Three program (state program in WI, same as in IL)right away. It took a few months until we actually got a speech therapist working with him, and it was the best thing. We moved to IL right before he turned 3 and he goes to the public preschool for early intervention. That is the best preschool, and we are so happy we sent him there. We were worried that he'd be labeled, but that doesn't happen now of days. Kids are pulled out of class for all sorts of reasons now. Anyway, my older son no longer has a speech delay, because we got him the help early. My younger son, now 22 months, doesn't say anything other than "mama" or "dada", and he doesn't say them in the right context either. He understands language well though. I called the IL Zero to Three program a month ago, and he will be evaluated in January and will hopefully start therapy then too. I think that there is nothing wrong with speech therapy, as it gives your son and you so much. They will teach you what you can do to help him progress. The only regret I have with my older son is not starting him in therapy when he was 18 months (my younger had colds and constant ear infections so I couldn't get him in til now since they do a hearing test to rule out any issue there). Good luck!

Go to the speech thearapist! I waited until our son was 2. Then had him evaluated by an early intervention service in Indiana (First Steps). At 2, he only used 10-15 words, no phrases. He qualified for services. After only 12 weeks of speech, occupational therapy and developmental therapy, he was using more than 150 words and 3-4 word sentences. I should have done it when he was younger and we would have had less frustration from both of us. I am a first grade teacher and others kept telling me...he'll talk just give him time, but I thought there were other issues. After evaluation, we found he has a mild sensory processing problem. It was easily dealt with through occupational therapy and the speech and developmental therapies supported what the OT did. I wouldn't wait. Go to the speech therapist or you may be able to use the early intervention service in your state. In Indiana it is called First Steps. I think it may be in the phone book. Your peditrictian should know about it. Good Luck, T.

I was worried about my daughter, but my doctor told me to wait till she was around 21 months. I still felt like she was behind, and although my husband was against it I had her evaluated by Child and family connections-- They do it for free and even will come to your house. I was so happy I did because they also do a developmental evaluation. They found she was ahead in most things but 3 months delayed in speech. However to qualify for help the child needs to be further behind. But they did give me some things to work on specifically for her, which was great. They will then come out again a few months later if you want. Luckily right after that she started talking. Now a little over 2 and sometims I wish she didn't talk so much:) If you are still concerned after a few more months I highly recommend calling them.

Hey Jackie! Once you know it's not his hearing, I wouldn't sweat it. If you feel the need, go ahead and have him evaluated for speech therapy. My son didn't really say much until after his third birthday, but now he just turned four and is reading books to me. With mine, he just wasn't interested in talking little one word sentences. I had his hearing checked, came out normal, had a speech evaluation done, just to find out that he knew more words that what their minimum goal is for his age at the time. He just wasn't "using" his words, he knew them though. Pretty much noone could understand him until after his third birthday. I had some people say that I should be worried, some say don't sweat it, and I'm going to say to you once again, don't sweat it. Boys are totally different than girls and develop at their own speed. They'd rather wrestle on the ground than have a book read to them. Those norms that they set are for both boys and girls and that's not fair. My little girl was talking at around 9 months, and my boy didn't really care to until 3. Well, I don't mean to sound bad, but my son is a lot smarter than my daughter now, and she's 15 months older than him. All I did to help get my son to learn words, is sit down with him at different times with only three different books. When he started getting tired of it, I would just stop reading it. With repetition, you'll get further and further with the books as time goes by. It probably took months before he'd sit through the whole Cat in the Hat book. But, he did eventually, and now he's reading it to me. So, just let him do his own thing and try to overpronunciate whenever you speak to him. Also, try to talk about everything you're doing. If you're turning on the tv, say it, if you're getting ingredients out of the cupboard for dinner, talk about each one. Point to it and say "look, it's a can of cream of chicken! I need two of them, one two." It may feel weird at first, but he'll be picking stuff up from you, even if it doesn't appear he's paying attention. Don't listen to people saying you should be worried. Get the things ruled out that you need to in order for you to feel at peace about it, then just take baby steps with him.

No no no to the speech therapist. My son didn't talk at all until he was well into his twos. Then by the time he started preschool he had caught up to everybody else. Everybody has their own time frame. My kid and I had great rapport and he developed his own sign language that I grew to understand. He just wasn't ready or able to really talk yet. ALso boys are usually slower then girls to talk. One difference is my child loved to be read to. mabye you can find a more interactive fun way to read to him? I did lots of funny voices and stuff. Good luck-trust your child's process.

Jackie,

I also have a son who is a man of few words:-) He was involved with first steps and now recieves services through the school system. Here are some things that we did and continue to do to encourage speech: 1) got rid of his pacifier, 2) read, read, read to him, 3) sing, sing, sing to hime, 4)constantly talk to him...do you want the blue cup or the red cup, 5) baby enstine has language DVD's, 6) and enrolled him in an extra day of pre-school. he goes two days instead of one and it has made a big difference.

Keep working at it! I know that it is hard and frustrating at times, especially if your other children were talkers! I have a 4 year old daughter who talks in her sleep!!!!

18 months seems young to me to be worrying about speech therapy but I was in your shoes around the same time. An evaluation can't hurt but I'm not sure I'd be so concerned yet. My daughter didn't really talk at all until she was 2. She's almost three and just now beginning to talk alot. My pediatrician wasnt/isn't concerned. What they told me made sense and maybe this is in your case too. My daughter was very quick with her motor skills. She walked at 11 months, could manipulate door nobs, use the pincher grasp all very early. My pediatrician told me that often times when they are exceling in motor skills their verbal skills may lag a bit. And vice versa. Also, if he uses a pacifier that can delay speech. I think your doing everything right, continue to read and talk to him and when he's ready to talk he will! As everyone told me when I was worried......you'll be wishing at some point he didn't talk as much as he soon will!

My son started out strong - repeating similar words all the time (hi, dada, etc). But, then he would lose those words and learn new words. It wasn't until we had a public health nurse come do a normal check-up for my twin girls that I found out that my son (because he was under 3) could qualify for early intervention through the state of Illinois. He got referred. They did come out around his 2 year birthday - and now he is in speech therapy. He was truly babbling up until the last month or so - but now we are FINALLY starting to understand him better (29 months). She works on sounding techqniues. Just yesterday he was trying to say 'chocolate' and kept going 'ch ch ch'...so I think things are finally starting to click.

Although I was a late talker, according to my mom, the public nurse said that we shouldn't wait if we think he was very far behind. In this case, he was talking at about 12 months. So, it has DEFINITELY helped us. He was starting to act out, scream in frustration, as he couldn't communicate well with us.

Relax Mom. My youngest daughter, now graduating from H.S. early,with honors,had speech problems She sounded like a New Yorker with a speech problem. Doctors sometimes jump the gun. People couldn't understand my daughter until she was 3,and sometimes it took myself or my oldest daughter to interperet.I'm sure your son does'nt want you to read to him because it does'nt make sense right now,he'd rather play with the book,or eat it! My youngest daughters 1st grade teacher had her speec evaluated ,behind my back,and,to make a long story short,was told her speech would continue to improve. Keep being a good Mom,trust your gut! And if they want to send him to other professionals ask the doctor to pay for it.

My son didn't say one word before he was 2. He babbled mama and dada sometimes, didn't really ask for a baba. His ped wanted to send him at 15mos for therpay. He'd been through a lot in those 15months before so we said no, we'll wait until after he's 2. We'd dome some research and talked with a cousin of mine who's son was going through the same thing.

Needless to say, it was almost immediately after his 2nd birthday that he just started talking like crazy. And he went straight to "talking"...not babbling. He just didn't do the "baby talk".

It's wise to keep an eye on things, but I would feel the need to rush into therapy at this point.

If you think he can hear fine, and understands you, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I have an 18mo old who only says 4 words (mama, daddy, bubba, & cat). I am not concerned but his older brother and sister both were delayed in their talking.
My 5 year old speaks very well. He started speaking on track with everyone else. They he just stopped talking. No mama or dada. Nothing. One day he started again without any problems.
My 3 1/2 year old just got evaluated for her speech yesterday. She didn't talk because her older brother talked for her. She was probably 20-24 months before she started to use any words. It wasn't until recently that we realized she might need speech. From 2-3 she was hard for strangers to understand, but if you were around her, you often understood her. At 3, her speech hasn't gotten much easier for strangers to understand and wasn't any clearer for us. That is when her doctor recommended us for a speech evaluation. Most children are hard to understand until 2 1/2-3.
It is very hard and frustrating for the parent. Just keep talking to him. You might try carrying on a conversation with him even if you don't know what he is saying. Children learn from what they see and hear most of the time. Work on just letter sounds. That is what he found out our daughter has problems with.
Good Luck!

Hi Jackie. I have a 12 month old son and I am a speech therapist through the Early Intervention system. I think that the doctor's are giving you good information! That is not always the case, so I am glad to hear that your doctor's are looking out for your son. If you are interested in getting an evaluation, you can contact your local Easter Seals, Child and Family Connections. It is a great program that has therapists come to your home or your child's daycare. They start out with an evaluation and then if needed they recommend services that would benefit your son. I hope this information helps! L.

Dear Jackie,

I sympathize with your challenge to find ways to encourage your son's speech, as it is really difficult to gage where a child should be regarding his vocabulary. You did not mention if your son was regularly around other children, as this has been known to encourage speech development and introduce new words. Also, has his pediatrician given him a hearing test, as children have been known to verbally imitate the words as they hear them and if they are hearing words that are "muffled" this could indicate how he hears the words himself. I would also suggest creating flash cards with descriptive words on them and put them all over the house and on his favorite items. This way you can refer to them often and perhaps he will become accustomed to the repitition which will strengthen his verbal abilities. If in fact, the doctor does recommend speech therapy, from what I have been told, the exercises are great at helping the children express themselves. Keep in mind that we are all individuals with different strengths and talents and we all "bloom" at different times. Good luck.

why isn't your pediatrician recommending a speech therapist? get him some speech therapy asap! I had a child with a speech problem and still does. he's still young enough for early intervention. Let me know how I can help.

C.

I was worried about my ds at the same age. He is 18.5 months old now and has 10 words now :) He started saying them just in the last 2 or 3 weeks! My dd starting saying phrases by this age so I was a bit worried about my ds. As long as he is understanding you and is imitating communication I wouldn't worry too much just yet. Not saying that there isn't anything to worry about, but that it's a bit early to be that concerned kwim? My ds also doesn't care to be read to, just likes to play with the book, but just keep talking "You like that book huh? I see that page has a duckie on it, a duck says quack quack, oh wow! You are pretty strong to be able to tear that page off! ;)"

Keep an eye on him, talk to him a lot, name everything, play naming games like singing "head and shoulders, knees, and toes" etc. Then see what the doctor says in January, I bet he'll have some words by then :)

Before you go through therapy rule out the fact that he may have a hearing issue that may need attention. Therapy will do no good if the child can't hear the words. Since he won't sit still for books that is a big posibility. Ask for a referal for one that deals with pedi's. Hopefully he is just being stubborn and the ears are fine. Best wishes.

My son didn't say a word until about 17 or 18 months. But by the time he was 2, he was an average talker for his age, and now at almost 3 is above average in talking. I think some kids (more often boys) are just more interested in moving then talking (for example, my son was walking by 10 months).

My son didn't say anything but mama dada gaga and babbling what he thought were words which weren't words at all. If he is trying to talk that is good. I think a speech therapist at 18 months is crazy. If he is giving an effort that is whats important. My son's vocabulary exploded coincidentally after his second b-day. Honestly I thought I would wait until after 2 to be concerned. Now it blows me away the words he puts together and repeats, like he's been talking for years. It's like he's been studying for the last 2 and can now apply all he's learned. He went from saying almost nothing to now speaking in short sentences and proper pronunciations. It is amazing. My daughter who is now 8, started talking almost completely before she was 2, so I was a little worried. A friend of the family has a son that says NOTHING and he's 2 months older than my son. He grunts, and has since had tubes in his ears due to ear infections they believe had an affect on his ability to hear properly. He still barely speaks but they think he will start soon. I wouldn't jump to speech therapy just yet. I'm no pediatrician, but I think that's premature.

My first son did not say even ma ma when he was 18 months. Everyone I talked with said there child had at least a 50 word vocabulary. Being concerned I spoke with our pediatrician and they signed him up for speech therapy that to me was silly. He took speech therapy for a month and still no words. I then decided that when he was ready to talk he would. Sure enough around 24 months he started talking and he is now 3 and won't stop talking. My second son is now 18 months and does not even say one word. Again the peditrician is recommending speech therapy but I am not going to do it. When he is ready to talk he will, untill then I will enjoy the quiet.

don't worry. i have 4 starting at 6 down to 1. 3 are in speech for delays and articulation (pronunciation). it will come. if there is a delay, it is one thing that can be corrected. i have a 16 month old and he is my hope for a normal talker. it seems a little much to think that an 18 month should be talking that much. as long as he understands you and can follow simple commands i wouldn't worry too much. keep working with him. it will come. when he is 2, i would begin to worry if nothing is coming out. that is what i did and received assistance for 2 of my kids starting then and they are doing a lot better. hope i helped

My son didn't really start using words I could understand until 18 months either. He is now 23 months and I swear he uses a new word every day. (Not all of them understandable at first.) My ped wasn't concerned either, because he could understand commands and make his needs/wants known by grunting and pointing. I have also heard of younger children talking later because the older children will do the talking for them - don't know if that is the case with your teenagers or not.

My nephew turns two on December 23 and he is just now statring to talk a little. There is nothing wrong with him. He just didn't care to talk. Now he seems to have decided he has something to say. Your son will probably be the same way. Unless you are concerned he has a hearing problem (due to lots of ear infections etc.) then I wouldn't worry. Every child developes at their own rate. Just keep talking to him and he will learn words. You may be suprised when he does start talking, how many words he knows just from listening to you. Reading to him would also help. Just enjoy your son and have a wonderful christmas.

My 19 month old son does not speak much beyond babbling either. My pediatrician said not to worry too much until they are 2. Are there other areas your son might be ahead in? I know mine is much farther ahead in large motor skills than his brothers were at the same age. I think with most kids, it all evens out. That said, if I don't see a bigger difference in vocabulary by 21 months, I am going to push for an evaluation. I figure that an evaluation can't hurt.

Hi Jackie,
We are currently in First Steps ###-###-#### ask for Jonell). My son is 22 month and we started the process from his 18 month Dr. visit. Everyone has told us the sooner you start checking things out the better. It takes a few months to get through all the initial meeting and paper work. Toddlers learn so much at this age we didn't want to delay him any more. We wanted him to catch up as quickly as possible if he needed help. Besides what could a phone call hurt? After an initial question gathering meeting First Steps will send a speech and physical therapist to play with your son and do an evaluation. If they feel he could benefit from services they set goals with you and start planning your sessions. First Steps is also based on an income scale and most insurances will pick up some of the costs as well. It turns out our little guy has Sensory Processing Disorder (he likes to lick spinning toys, line toys up, and seeks out vibrating toys). I am now so very glad we started the process.

Also, a great video for you and your child is "Baby Babble". It's not as fancy/high tech as Baby Einstein, but it was developed by speech therapists and really help you to learn how to simplify phases and use lots of gesturing to help your child communicate. Feel free to email me directly if I could be of any more help. Good Luck - you are doing the right thing.

I have an almost 3 year old son, and a nephew who is 5 weeks older. My son has been speaking in full sentences since he was about 15 months, but my nephew was barely using understandable words at 2 years, so they started him in a program called First Steps. He LOVES IT!! A lady comes to his house (or grandma's) once or twice a week for an hour. He has improved significantly and is actually communicating so well, he's completely potty trained! The programs they have now are wonderful, and it absolutely will not hurt for him to see a therapist. Yes, he will probably start getting better as he gets a little older, but, if you have the chance to head off a learning disability now, wouldn't you rather do it, or wait until he's so far behind that they put in special classes in school?? I see nothing wrong with getting the help now, if he takes off on his own, he'll no longer need the therapy. I say, atleast get an evaluation, it can only help.

Think POSITIVE!
Although,you should talk to your dr. if you feel there is something metically wrong.----- I personally don't feel you have a problem. I use to feel just like you, so don't think there is something wrong with you for having those feelings. I, too, have a son, but mine just turned four last month. The doctors would tell me the same things, or I would read them on the net or in books. I felt like my child was so far behind, because other kids his age seem to talk so clear, but my child knew what he was trying to say and i didn't. To me it just sound like sounds, babbles, ect. Like you I would read to him, talk to him, bought him all the learning dvd and games, and tried all the suggestions everyone had for me. i would wonder what else can I do, what haven't I done or is something wrong. Sorry, I really don't recall exactally his age, but between 24months and 21/2 years I saw a major improvement in his speech. I started understanding more and he started putting two words together. I tell people, It was like he got up one day a started talking. Now, he just turned four last month, and he talks in complete sentences, knows his letters, can count to twelve, & can resight just about anything. Stranges may not understand very word, or he may talk to fast and start to stutter but he can talk. He could be a slow learner but I refuse to think that, so I think he is very stubbern (he'll do it when he wants to).
Hope I helped. It is nice to know someone else has the same feelings. Oh! for future ref., same thing happened with potty training. Had no problem with #1 but #2 totally different story.
D.

I completely understand you worries. Our son is 22 months and still without any words. I have been concerned for a while (I read the number of words he should have by 18 months in one of my baby books), but no one else in our family is too worried. Everyone says things like 'boys talk late'. While the doctors have brought up the possibility od speech therapy, it has always been presented as an option to waiting him out. I decided to self-refer my son to Indiana's First Step program and now he is in the process of having a development evauluation. If they determine he is behind they will provide therapy to catch him up. Check out their webpage and see if it might be an option for you- www.indianafirststeps.org.

You should probably start by having his hearing checked. A good friend of mine had the same issue and it turned out her son had fluid in his inner ears and could not accurately hear sounds around him thus, he didn't mimick them. They had tubes put in his ears and within 3 weeks he picked up 20 words. Good luck!!

Jackie,
I had a simlar situation with my current 4yo. My advice is don't sweat teaching him to talk yourself. There are experts (as other posters mentioned) at Child and Family Connections that can assess your son and get him talking. It does work and it is a state run program so you only pay based on your income. We were in the second from the top income tier and only paid $100/month for someone to come to our sitters house 1x per week for a full hour of therapy. In my opinion, it was so worth it. By the time she went to preschool at 3.5 yo (she started speech therapy at 21 months) her preschool teachers had no idea she was not talking before she was 2.

Additionally, the state run program only lasts until your child is 3yo. After that the local school district special ed program takes over and they can not give your child the same level of attention that Child and Family Connection can. So get your child in now, to give him the most attention possible.

I am right there with you. My 18.5 month old son is the same way. He went through a time when he turned 1 where he said Mama, Daddy, Doggy all in the correct context. Now he won't say those words or anything else. He also stopped doing much babbling, but started up again this week. He does lots of communicating through gesture and grunts. He also can follow almost ANY command. I am told my LOTS of people that active boys often talk later. We are a little concerned, but are waiting it out. We do know that he is tongue-tied, but the specialist said that it shouldn't have any bearing on his speech. I know I am not helping, but wanted you to know that I am right there with you!

Don't worry, all kids develope at different times. My oldest son was saying more than my 18 month old at 1 year. My 18 month old is just learning to say words that people, besides myself, understand. We do a lot of reading and talking and I make him tell me what he wants instead of whining for it. I do the same with him as I did with my oldest. He was faster at walking and other things, I guess he's just gonna wait on talking for a little while longer!

Jackie,
My son didn't even babble at 15 months when we had his check up. His pediatrician said to "just wait it out" and that he'd speak at his own time. This didn't sit well with me so I took another step....Early Intervention. I'm so glad we did. Basically, all my son needed was a jump start. Within 4 months he was were he should. The speech therapist still came for two more months (but not every week as before) as that is what the program dictates. By Ryan's two year birthday, other moms would stop me and ask me how old he was as his speech was so awesome. Could we have waited and would his speech have come naturally??? Maybe, but our actions to me made all the difference.

State of Illinois, Department of Human Services, Early Intervention Program, Child and Family Connections of DuPage-----These are all the names/associations which the program goes by. The phone number of Child & Family Connections of DuPage is the place to call. They provided us with all the info and assigned us a Service Coordinator, Jessica Lee. She was very good. The number is ###-###-####. I believe I just left a message and they got back to me within 24 hours or so. The speech pathologist who originally evaluated Ryan was not available for us at the time. That's when we requested Anne Felt. She was GREAT! If I remember correctly, she has an autistic daughter in her twenties, so Anne knows alot of "stuff" other than speech/language issues.

Ryan is now 4 1/2 and more articulate than any other child in his preschool.

Good luck.

I recommend calling Child and Family Connections as well. The evalutations are free and they can help to put your mind at ease about your child and, if necessary, get him started in language therapy to help him along.

Jackie, I wouldn't worry too much about what your 17 month old "should" be saying by now. I have a 19 month old son who talks constantly and a 2 1/2 year old nephew who has VERY limited vocab. My ped said that each child developes at his or her own rate. As long as you are speaking to the child and trying to read, this should be enough. I think it's a bit too soon for speech therapy and it's always your final decision whether you do that or not. It hasn't seemed to do anything for my nephew except make him upset when the therapist comes over. He has been seeing a specialized ped and the ped says that he can go from saying nothing to never shutting up in no time flat. They just have to wait for him to want to talk. Don't worry though, in no time at all he'll be chatting up a storm!!! Good luck to you and don't let everyone get you all upset over this. Happy Holidays!

There is nothing wrong with calling a speech therapist if you feel your son is not where he should be. Call Child and Family connections - it is a state run program, they come to your house and you are not obligated to go through with any therapies if you don't feel he needs them. My son just turned two and he has about 20 words. He is speech delayed and his evaluation determined that it's due to poor muscle tone in his upper torso, neck and mouth. They said that they've seen a whole generation of kids with these needs ever since we've been told to put babies on their backs to sleep - they just don't get as much opportunity to strengthen those muscles. So don't be afraid to get him checked out. Not speaking doesn't mean he's dumb, and wouldn't you love to know what's going on in that brain? :) I think giving your child the opportunity to communicate with you and the family is a great gift for everyone. Good luck :)

Jackie,
We were in the same boat with my daughter when she was 18 months old. No words, just babbling. Her pediatrician recommended speech therapy through Early Intervention services. We had an evaluation and she was definitely behind what is considered "average" for that age. I stressed myself out needlessly because after 5 months of therapy she was talking more than most kids her age. Our therapist was wonderful and Ellie always looked forward to her visits. I'm sure she would have come along sooner or later, but the therapy gave her that extra nudge.
I'm sure your 17 month old will come along in his own time, but if therapy is recommended, please don't worry yourself! My daughter is now 2.5 and doing wonderfully!
Best of luck!

My son has verbal apraxia, a speech disorder, which was diagnosed around 18 months. He's been in therapy since that time (he's now 6.5 yrs) and it was truly the best thing for the whole family. Because he was diagnosed and began treatment early, he has made tremendous progress.

Please consider getting your son evaluated if you are truly concerned about his speech/language development. The evaluation is free and the therapist will be able to tell you if further therapy is warranted or not. Speech disorders sometimes evolve into behavioral disorders as well...lack of expressive language = child's frustration = bad behavior. Early intervention is key for both your son and your family if there truly is a speech disorder. Please don't let a percieved stigma of therapy dissuade you from getting the help your son may need.

Off my soapbox. :)

You may want to try introducing some sign lanugage to your son...use simple signs like more, please, eat, thank you, ball, etc. Sign language is a form of speech and is generally counted toward your child's overall number of words. I.E. your son has two verbal words (mama, dada) and uses eight signs reguarly and appropriately -- he then has 10 "words" in total.

Sign lanugage also helps tremendously with behavior! My kids were signing for things like a snack, drink and book by 11-12 months...we've done it with all 4 of our kids, even the ones with no speech disorders. It reduced the whining in the baby/toddler stage significantly. Instead of crying because they were hungry, they could sign "eat"...if they wanted milk instead of juice, they could sign "milk".

Oh dear, two soapboxes in one post. LOL! My apologies...

Hi Jackie,
My son Vinny also is a child of few words. I suspected something was not quite right when he was 15 months old and he could only say "mama" so by his 18mths well baby appt. I spoke up and sure enough he had a speech delay. In Illinois, contact Child and Family Connections and they will have a speech therapist assess him and start him on home therapy. At age 3 though they do kick you out, but by then you can enroll in your local school system and go on from there. Vinny was also diagnosed at the Villa Park Easter Seals with a speech delay, it's called Apraxia. It's a minor neurological problem, where he is smart as a whip, his brain knows the words, but by the time the signal gets to his mouth, he can't speak the words. You can also visit a website for apraxia, ...google "Casana" it's very helpful.
Hope this helps, and don't wait. :)