My 16 month old baby has not actually said any discernable words. We have read books daily since he was 2 months old, in fact he will bring us every book in the living room to read and then move on to his bed room to read all of those.It is his favorite thing to do. In fact, he wants to read so much, me and my husband almost get tired of it. I say this in order to establish some sort of history of my son. He can identify hundreds of things: the moon, dogs, shoe, light, tree, the list goes on and on. He points to them. He makes lots of noises. But he doesn't say any real words. No moos for a cow. He does go woowooo for a fire truck. He said the sounds mama and dada 6 months ago but never held on to them and identified them to us respectively. The doctor seemed not concerned at his 15 month check up. With that said, the more time that goes by, the more I wonder if somethings wrong. His hearing is fine. He seems intelligent enough. He has not been behind in other milestones. Should I be concered? I wonder if we might be anticipating his needs so much that he has no need to speak. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks Everyone for your responses. ECI is sceduled to come over next Fri. I'm hoping for the best. THANKS AGAIN!
B., I don't know if you have already looked into this but I would recommend Easter Seals. I think their style of care, and kid friendliness is incomparable to any other rehab. option.
Hope that's helpful
There number is ###-###-####
http://dallas.easterseals.com
-A.
As the others have responded with, I would not worry at this time. Children learn as they grow. I have twins myself who are now 11 and when it came to talking and walking my daughter was so far advanced compared to my son. In time he walked and talked as he was ready. I am a childcare provider and work with children from 6 wks. - 5 rs. old and some of the 2 yr. olds talk better than the 4 yr. olds. I work with them on words, colors, shapes, etc.... some children are fast learners more than others and that does not mean there is anything wrong with the slow learner. I guess it's like potty training they will learn in time and when they are ready.
If you're honestly concerned, call Early Childhood Intervention (or Infant & Toddler Intervention) for a free assessment of your child's speech level. They provide therapists that can come out to your home and they do play therapy to assess if he's on target --where he needs to be for his age.
I first noticed my son's speech delay around this same age as yours. Yes, I had many people tell me the same things the previous comments said... that my son will talk when he's ready; that he has no reason to talk since I anticipate his needs; that's he's just not a vocal kid; that he doesn't want to, etc etc. And that may be true. But we live a vocal society .... kids need to know how to communicate... and the sooner they learn these skills in a positive manner the better off they are for their future in communicating with others. I tried all the tricks... baby sign language (supposed to stimulate communication center in his brain and help them communicate faster...didn't make him want to talk... he just used it more as a crutch, an excuse not to talk, just to use sign language); i read to him all the time; i put him in Mother's Day Out so he'd be around more of his peers and older kids so he'd be peer-pressured to talk more. Didn't work.
Here my son is at 3 yrs old still not using full sentences when I can carry on a full conversation with his peers. At the most, he uses 2-3 word sentences -- and those are only a handful.
The problem will really come into play when your child has to communicate with his peers and other adults -- other than Mommy or Daddy. He may get extremely frustrated and they may get frustrated not knowing what he wants or needs. And really verbalizing his emotions and what he's learned is a socially positive way to build his confidence and to participate in class-like activities. I had teachers at the church nursery and his Mother's Day Out notice his speech delay ... just that he was missing out on participating in class circle time conversations.
So I take this very seriously ... it doesn't hurt nor cost anything to get an assessment. And if he qualifies for speech therapy (good until their 3rd bday) -- ECI provides it on a sliding scale based on income - very affordable. At 3 yrs of age, speech delayed kids can attend free ISD Early Childhood preschool, if they qualify after an assessment, which is where my son is going now - he just started this week. [I think Dallas ISD has a similar program... my son is going to Plano ISD] I figure, so what if he starts reciting monologues and sonnets tomorrow, at least i know I did everything in my power to help him and give him every opportunity available to us to help him succeed and not fall behind his peers. Speech delay, i've been told by speech pathologists, if ignored, can lead to other communication problems down the road, speech impediments, using other negatives ways to communicate rather than using their words, etc. etc. Why not give him a head start?
Just my opinion and experience with speech delay...
ECI's website: http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/index.shtml
There are different programs in different counties or cities. Just call the 800 # to see which to contact for more specific info. Good luck!!
You answered your own question, mom. He has no reason to talk right now, <smile>. Believe me, he'll talk. Most recently, my youngest grandson didn't say much of anything until just after he turned 2. When he did speak, it was several words at a time and within 6 months he is speaking volumes in complete sentences. He is rarely silent anymore! Your pediatrician will let you know if he's getting behind. Isaac's doctor wasn't concerned until his second birthday and told my daughter to bring him back in six months if he hadn't begun to speak....
Needless to say, he didn't have to go back. Just hang in there.
You must push to have a referral to a speach specialist.... When I notices my son at 2 was not speaking at the same level as his peers I asked the Dr. His excuse was boys develop later than girls... WHAT A LOAD OF HOGWASH... After numerous drs I finally had one give in to me and gave me a referral.... My son was then Diagnosed with Autism, then shortly after my daughter was also diagnosed..... Go with your instinct. Demand a referal!
I went through this with our first also. At 18 months we called ECI because she never even babbled. They started working with her, but she still didn't say anything until right after she turned two! She stayed in speech therapy until she turned 4 because even though she had started talking no one but us could understand what she was saying. Now, we can't shut her up! She talks nonstop and very clearly. Looking back now I see that her mouth muscles had been weak from birth. She had a very weak suck when she nursed, she drooled constantly, couldn't stand solid food in her mouth and we had to feed her stage 2 baby food until she was 18 months, and she would barely drink from a sippy cup until after she turned two. The ECI people had us doing different mouth exercises with her to get them strengthened. Drinking from a straw and blowing on whistles and similar toys helped. At 3 when she started speech therapy with the public school they worked with her on saying her sounds correctly.
Everyone told us not to worry, not to worry, but I know it's hard not to, especially with your first baby. You can get him evaluated and they should be able to give you a good idea if he needs therapy. Our second son doesn't talk, but he can talk and he's almost two. We'll beg him to use his words and he won't, but then out of the blue he'll just say something clear as day. So we know he can talk. He's just choosing not to.
When my son was that age he loved to read all the books in the world, but he was not speaking like other kids his age. He could recongnize objects, animals and colors, but he would not speak. I placed him in ECI and they would come to the home or daycare which ever and work with your child. They are great and will work on all things with you child until 3 yoa. I went to his doctor and they said the same thing that boys are slower then girl....that is all nonsense. If I was you I would not wait on this I would go and request a referral because you rather be safe then sorry. I waited too long and now my son has other problems like in school and academics. Just because your child can here and understand you commands does not mean that he can speak. My son would use his hands and if he need something he would point or show us what he wanted. When we took my son to a ENT doctor he said that he can hear, but it would be like if he was underwater hearing someone talk or it was muffled. Yes, I recommend that you get that checked ASAP and dont wait until he is 2 or 3.
Hope this helps and good luck.
I would second the post by Amy M. to get an evaluation from ECI. It is FREE and you will find out if there is anything going on.
I worked for ECI for ten years and I cannot tell you how many parents wait until the child is over the age of two to make a referral. Since ECI ends at 3, they were kicking themselves when they only had a few months to work on the issues that had been going on for a few years.
If there is not a problem, they will tell you that and will NOT qualify him for services.
I went through the exact same thing with my son whose now 26 months. Everything you said about Cohen was EXACTLY how my son Cole was. Then, the minute he turned 2, the words came spilling out. It was as if he'd just been saving it all up. Now, just two months later, he's talking in 3-4 word sentences and mimicing everything we said. My doctor kept telling me not to worry until after he turned 2 and boy was she right. Take it from me....I worried and worried, and now I can't shut the kid up!! :)
He may have gotten so used to you doing his speeking for him. If you are reading the books to him, make him say what the objects are. Teach him the words and ask him to repeat it. Make him say whatever it is he wants, before you give it to him. Praise him when he trys to pronounce the word. Speak clearly to him and over do the sounds. It's commom for little boys to be slower at speach than girls. As long as he is doing everything else and seems to play well, he is probably fine. I know of 2 little boys that are friends of my daughter both in that 2-3 yr old range that neither of them speak. They just mummble their way through the sounds. Where as my daughter at 2 1/2 won't stop talking. She will repeat everything she hears. Your son will get there. The main thing is to make sure you don't make him feel like he can't do it or get frustrated with him. Keep encouraging him. He'll get there.
M.
In-Home Childcare Provider
###-###-####
I can't help but smile at this. My son is 19 months old and doesn't even say Ma Ma. He does sometimes get mad when he doesn't see me and yells "MAAAA". Anyway he is very smart and does the same thing. he loves to read and he understands most things. If I tell him to put his diaper in the trash he will or I tell him to go get a bib. He understands to pick up his toys and he will go get his blankets and his pillow. he REALLY does almost anything. We have one of those leap frog magnet sets that sings ABC's. He will rant to that but doesn't actually say it. So I know where you are coming from here. My older son could talk and even do sign language by the time he was 11 months old he was saying sentences in sign language. He also knew MANY words at that age. Now I can't ever get him to stop talking. I know many children and they will do this also. Once they start talking though they will talk alot probably. One day he will just open up. I don't think you should worry because like i sai my son is even older but I think he is just slower at wanting to talk which is strange because he has an older brother to learn from. Good Luck!
N. B.
Mom Advice Central- http://www.mymommycentral.com
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There's so much to say but everyone else has written alot already. So to sum it up.... I would worry. I agree with Michelle and you should go get it checked out. Now. If there's no issue, great. If there is, now is the time to work on it.
B.,
Does he respond to you when you talk to him? Can he follow commands like "Come and eat" "Give Mama a hug". Does he startle at loud noises? Does he "dance" to music? He should be interesting in pointing to objects in books or at the store.
If he is doing that I would sit tight for awhile. (My first child spoke in clear sentances by 2, my #4 is 2y2m and she will hardly ever says a word!)
If you don't think he is hearing I would call ECI. If he is hearing I would wait for your 18 m check up and discuss it w/ your Pedi.
I just posted this on the other request, but I would start with an ENT that can do a hearing screen and typanogram. If you need therapy, ECI can do it if your insurance doesn't pay for it, but I would recommend Cook Children's - they were much more aggressive. Everyone kept telling us - "some kids just talk late." This might be true for a lot of kids, but our's couldn't hear. Even our pediatrician wasn't concerned when he was 18 months, so we just took matters into our own hands. If we had waited, he would have severe communication problems now, so I don't think it's silly to be worried. Get it checked out, so you won't have to regret it later.
Contact ECI-Early Childhood Intervention. The can do a full developmental evaluation. Call your local school system to get your local branch number.
Tarrant County Branch is ###-###-####.
You know your child best. Doctor's sometimes base there decisions on a whole population demographic, and not individuals. Go with what your instincts tell you. Can't hurt just to get an evaluation. The ECI evaluation I think is either free or based on income.
You might want to have him tested for autism. We have two nephews that have been diagnosed with it in the past month and they were normal babies and were talking at a normal age then at 18 months stopped talking and socializing. This is not the only symptom but I would get a second opinion. Early diagnosis is very important so you can get the correct treatment and schooling. I don't want to scare you but it is good to cover all of your bases. I hope this helps!
Hi B. - Don't worry! :)
My son was EXACTLY the same. He loved books at 16 months but was not saying a word - but actually never said even mama or dada. He would make noises that I thought sounded like a word, but really I think I was just wishful thinking. I dreaded his 18 month appointment when I knew the doctor would ask me about his speech. According to her, at 18 months he needed to be saying momma, dada plus three other words. Since he wasn't saying any words at all she recommended I get him enrolled in the state's speech program called Infant and Toddler Intervention (or something like that). It's this free program that helps kids get caught up if they have any kind of delay. I just knew my son was smart but I couldn't understand why he wasn't saying a word or making any sounds. And after I repeat words slowly and go around all day making animal noises...
Anyway, they sent these two woman out to evaluate him and they, of course, decide he has a speech delay. They came twice a month from March to September - nothing...no sound, no word...not even anything that sounded like a word. I was at my wits end. I was so afraid something was wrong because by September he was 2 years and three months. THEN....one day in September when he was 27 months old he said 11 words, in one day. I wrote them all down. The next day, 10 more and the next day about 10 and it went on and on and on. Now he just turned three and he won't shut up. :) In fact, I've noticed that is speech is much more clear than other three year olds. Once he started talking he didn't stop. People would tell me, "He'll just talk when he wants to" and they were right. It's hard to believe when it's your baby, but it's true. :)
Don't worry! Cohen will talk your ear off soon. Enjoy the silence!
A.
Don't worry. I have a friend whose son did not speak until he was 4 years old and then he spoke in sentences. He is VERY intelligent, attending A & M University in the Corps. I feel confident that your son will talk when HE is READY :) May the Lord give you peace about this!
Blessings,
A.
HI. I have 5 children, 4 girls and one boy. And out of all them my son was the quietest. When he was born he hardly cried and later hardly spoke. Like you I got concerned especially when he was nearing 2 and still wasn't saying much. Then the "dam" broke around mid 2's and he hasn't been quiet since. Sometimes I jokingly tell he use to be so quiet what happened. I pray this email is of some encouragement to you. God bless.
Check out this website www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/
Hi B.,
I have been practicing speech-language pathology for almost 15 years. I can't express how strongly I believe you should contact ECI, one of the universities, or a local speech-language pathologist. By having a professional evaluation you will either have your mind put at ease, or have an intervention plan developed to help your child improve his communication skills.
In addition to having a parent-child program, I also have a private practice, and worked in the school system for seven years. I share this with you because over the years I cannot even begin to tell you how many parents have asked, "Why did I wait? He could have been working on this all this time." Mothers often fill themselves with enough reasons to feel guilty (I am a mom of two). It would be so simple, especially since we live in an area that offers fo many avenues for interventions and evaluations, to truly find out what your child's needs are... or aren't.
If you would like more information about childhood milestones, you can google the ASHA web site.
Your son is very fortunate that you are concerned about his development.
S.
B.,
When my son was around the same age as your son he didn't talk either. I was really concerned and even considered taking him to a speech therapist. Like your son, my son could identify objects and he'd make the vroom sound for his cars, but I couldn't get him to talk. Finally he started talking, it just seemed to happen overnight. He didn't really start talking until he was about 18 or 19 months, but once he started he picked it up rather quickly. If your son is not around a lot of other children that may be one reason he is taking so long, too. Children who are around other children seem to pick up language skills a lot faster. My daughter was talking in full sentences by the time she was 13 or 14 months. I would just give him a little bit more time before you start to get really concerned. And also see if you can get him into a play group or daycare type situation so that he gets to interact more with kids his own age.
Boys are often later talkers than girls. At 16 months old I would not be concerned. If at your 18 month or 2 year hold doctor appt you still have concerns about speech, talk to your pediatrician about getting an ECI referral. They will send someone out to your house to do a speech evaluation. If your son qualifiies for services, a speech therapist will come out to your home and do therapy sessions with your son. It is free for the first 6 months and then you pay on a sliding scale based on income after that.
I had concerns at 18 months when my son was not talking - mostly because his twin sister had some words and she has been ahead of him developmentally in several other areas. Anyway we did an eval with ECI and started services. They have been good - but I will tell you - even with the therapy, I expect my son will talk when he is ready. I recommend the DVD "Baby Babble" as well. My son loves it and I've seen him trying to mimic some of the sounds/actions. Sounds like your son is developing cognatively just fine and from what I understand I don't think he is too behind on speech just yet. It's terrific that he shows so much interest in books. Maybe give it sometime - see where he is at during his 18 month pedi visit. You'd be surprise how much development can happen in just two months.
Best wishes to you and Cohen!
Yes, you are definitely just being paranoid. It's okay! First-time mom mistake! I have a 17-month-old son who also has not said any discernable words. He has a 3-year-old sister who is a total chatterbox and spoke words before she turned 1. Boys always speak later than girls. Some won't say any words until 2. As long as everything else is developing fine, there's really no need to worry so much about it. My son can understand everything I say; I can tell him to throw things away in the garbage, get a towel to wipe a spill, I ask him if he wants to sit on the toilet and he shakes his head no (usually) or yes. Have you ever tried baby sign language? That works really well,too, but he might be a little old for it. Of course it's never too late to start if you wanted to look into it. Just relax and enjoy all the things he can do. Have a great day!
