Hi Moms,
My son is 14 months old tomorrow (July 2nd) and he doesn't talk! He says "Mama" only when he's very upset about something and it doesn't sound intentional to me. Other than that, he just babbles a lot and makes cute little noises. Aren't they supposed to be saying 4 or 5 words by now? I'm so lost because my daughter was so far advanced at her age. She was using 5 words before she turned 1. Maybe my son isn't behind but I have nothing else to compare him to. What can I do to help him? I read to him and I always talk to him. But his babbling sounds like something a 9 month old does. Help!
Thanks!
E.
P.S. - I should add that he does understand what I say to him. He knows what a lot of his toys are called and he knows what his favorite foods are called. He points and kisses and has great non-verbal communication. But I am still concerned that he's not using his verbal language skills.
Thank you to all the wonderful moms that replied with your great advice and warming thoughts! I'm taking my son with me to my daughter's 4 year check-up, so I will tell him our concerns with my son's delayed speech. But it sure does feel good to hear all of your experiences! Thanks so much!
E.
My son is 14 months old and does not talk either...I am really not worried about it at all. My pediatrician said he will have a language explosion at 18 months- and to worry at that point. He says M. all the time...and constantly babbles. I am just really glad that he babbles and is showing signs of language. It will all be OK, just give it some time...
Boys tend to be a little slower talking than girls. The fact that he understands you, and uses non verbal communication is great. If you are worried, talk to your pediatrician, but I wouldn't worry too much until 18 months or so.
Maybe it's his hearing my cousin had the same problem at that age his ma took him to the dr. and he had earplugs etc. had miner surgery and now he is 23yrs.old and hears just fine
Hi E.,
Have you talked with your doctor about your concerns!
Not saying it is the same issue but check out this story of the beautiful little boy that I saw on the tube last night!
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/25/assignment_amer...
Looking forward to you writing soon that he never stops talking!
V.
My son is now 19 mos old. I was only a little worried when he didn't talk by 15 months, and I mentioned it to my ped at that well visit. The doctor had us get my son's hearing checked. We did and that turned out fine, but we went ahead and had him evaluated through Early Intervention. I did this b/c we have an 8 year old, developmentally delayed, non-verbal niece AND because he wasn't even babbling, like your son is. I sensed that my son was actually having trouble making sounds. My son also understands EVERYTHING, uses sign language - but does not say anything except - mama, dada & Hi!. He just started speech therapy. I am glad that we had him evaluated early and am so curious about the poster who said a reputable therapist won't evaluate before 18 months or 2 years. Bottom line- like people said - kids really are on different time lines - I know a TON of kids who didn't say a word until 18 months and then it was an explosion. Your son sounds more like a late talker, but follow your instincts - It never hurts to get other people's opinion. good luck!
Hi E.,
My oldest son was the same exact way and it freaked me out too! Rest assured though, he did end up talking and he hasn't stopped since! He finally started around a year and 1/2 and I remember it was just right out of the blue- he literally woke up one morning and started using tons of words I knew he knew, but would never say in the past. I've come to realize boys are just on their own schedule and talk when they decide to talk. I know it can get freaky since you have girls who tend to start much much sooner but no worries, my bet is he's completely normal!
A.
It seems that young toddlers excel verbally or with their gross motor skills. Eventually both catch up. I would talk to your pediatrician though. The rule of thumb is putting words together by 2 yrs of age (ex: mom go).
Our daughter is very verbal but her gross motor skills are delayed. She's been in physical therapy since 10 mos of age and now she's 16 mos and just at the beginning stages of taking 7 steps independently.
Just a word of caution...if you do end up seeking therapy through the state (Early Intervention), they move at a snails pace...for that reason I would speak to your ped ASAP to get the ball rolling if that is the direction you need to go.
I would get him tested. Better to do it earlier rather than wait and see. The state has a great intervention program.
I have three kids, 4,3& 15 months. My oldest girl was a late talker, she didn't start until around two. My second girl started talking at a 12 months, I have her on video saying "look Mama, bubbles" Now my son, who is 15 months, just babbles. He will on occasion try to repeat words, but he doesn't use any without prompting. He will try to say ball if you ask him, but if he sees a ball he won't say "ball". He doesn't call me mama ever. But he understands everything. If I ask him to get me his sandals, he brings them right to me. I wouldn't start worrying about it right now. I don't think my doctor brought up speech therapy until my daughters 18 month check-up and said we would wait until two years. I never had her in therapy, she was all caught up by her two year visit. Every child is different. Just keep repeating words to him. Like if he points to his water, say oh, you want your water.
my oldest son would say a couple of words by that age but by 2 he still wasn't putting 2 words together. we had him checked by early interventions and he qualified for speech therapy. we started it but within 6 weeks he was discharged, turns out he had his own time table! he is now a very bright, well spoken 5 year old! my younger son started talking at 6 months, crazy i know he would say "all done", momma, pappa and so on! we have proof! everyone who heard him was amazed! and now he is an extemely articulate 3.5 yr old! i would look into having him evaluated if it is something you feel is necessary. as you know there is a wide range of "normal" good luck!
Many boys take a long time for speech to develop. Instinctually they are far more focused on how things work, than talking about them, so I wouldnt worry. Girls instinctually talk about things un order to figure out the details, so speech develops much faster. Its too early to get him tested, and most reputable speech therapists wont touch a case till two years old. You can talk to the ped about it for peace of mind, but Im sure you'll hear the same thing. My brother didnt start speaking till two, and didn't use sentances till 3. Very normal.
Talk to your doctor. There's a wide range for what is considered "normal" development. Plus, boys tend to take longer to talk than girls. Our son, now 3, didn't start talking until he was about 19-20 months old. He didn't get his first tooth until he was almost 15 months old and the developmental specialist said that he couldn't make the right sounds to talk until he had more teeth... she was so right. It was an explosion. he went from saying a couple of words, to dozens of words to complete sentences in a matter of months!
It will happen. Give it some time...
If he seems to be developing well in all other areas, then I definitely wouldn't worry about this. Your pediatrician should be checking for all these things at each visit anyway to make sure that his development is on track. If you have questions, again, ask your doctor...
