|
|
Just talk to him- all the time. Talk about what you are doing, what you will do next, point to the things you are talking about. Let him see your face as you talk, so he picks up on your facial expression and movements. I talk to my son all day. When we are shopping I talk about what we need to buy, how I make choices, when we need to wait in line, why I'm putting the items on the counter. I ask him questions, I respond when he babbles. He says a lot of words (he's 17 months old), but he babbles a lot, too.
If he seems to understand what you are saying, and is finding a way to communicate, that is good. The fact that he babbles means he is trying. That means he is progressing, just having trouble with the specific sounds. Has your pediatrician expressed any concern? I think a lot of kids speak very little at this age, so he is probably fine.
If he doesn't seem to be making any progress at all, talk with his pediatrician about a speech evaluation, but my guess is give him a little more time, and he will start speaking. |
| posted by Marcia on 03/01/2008 03:11 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I wouldn't worry about it, my daughter was the same way at the same way, her doctor told me she would pick up on her talking anytime and talk constantly after that, he was definately right, it was almost night and day as far as how much she would say, it happened almost overnight! Now she's 3 and will talk your head off!! Your son is resondent and making eye contact, he'll talk when he's read, also before giving him what he wants as soon as he points, repeat the name of the object a few times before giving it to him, Good Luck!! |
| posted by brannon on 03/01/2008 03:31 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I would not worry too much. My second son was not talking at 20mo. My DR. said that i should notice 10 words by the time he was 21mo. If at that point he was still not talking we would want to consider speech therapy. I swear the day before 21 mo he started talking. Crazy i know but he did. He is now 25mo and he does not stop. He is a talking machine. Hopefully, you will notice many more words in the next few weeks. |
| posted by Sandi on 03/01/2008 04:23 PM
|
|
|
|
|
here is an easy way to tell if it is just a phase or if there cold be a speech delay.
Does he lick and mouth things A LOT. Always putting things in his mouth or licking furniture or surfaces that he clearly shouldnt.
ANd does he over stuff his mouth when he eats. Sometimes maybe to the point of gagging.
My son had a severe speech delay and I learned that these are all classic signs of a delay. He was in speech therapy for a year and now he attends an Early Childhood class at the local school specifically for delays.
Good Luck and hope this helps. |
| posted by on 03/01/2008 04:44 PM
|
|
|
|
|
oh yes and this helped my son learn to communicate try to teach him a few basic american sign language signs.
Like More, please, drink
this will help him to want to communicate more. |
| posted by on 03/01/2008 04:45 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| My daughter was the same way. She didn't say too much either. My father in law kept saying things about her not talking and asking me if I talked to her doctor. I never did talk to her doctor b/c I didn't find it necessary. She turned two in January and she says alot now. But she always knew what we were saying to her when we were talking. If they understand what you are saying that is progress. Some kids just start talking later and I wouldn't stress about it too much. See what happens over the next few months. |
| posted by Jamie on 03/01/2008 06:04 PM
|
|
|
|
|
Hi how are you. Don't worry I am going threw the same thing my son is 21mo. and he doesn't say much but the doctor said not to worry. It will happen. Think we all worry about it now but by the time they turn 9 we don't think about this anymore we worry about other stuff. I know how you feel I'm feeling it to. It is really hard to deal with at this time but I know it will happen.
|
| posted by Elizabeth on 03/01/2008 09:12 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I would not worry too much I did that and i found out the hard way that some kids just are soaking up all the information that they can. My daughter was over 2 before she really started talking and I will tell you she is 3 now and she does not stop talking. I also feel that she says bigger words because she has spent so much of her life absorbing all of adults talking. So try not to worry it will come believ me. |
| posted by Tracy on 03/01/2008 09:57 PM
|
|
|
|
|
HI, I teach part-time mommy and me classes and I have a two in half year and a five year old.. Every child is so different, my son talked at nine months and my daughter was more closer to 23 24 months.. I worried abit right around 20 months as well.. What are doing is great reading and singing the repetition is what children need.. He understands so much...
My mom is a early intervention specialist and works alot with children with delays 1-3 year olds. She has been such a great resource to me as well . Wait until he is 2 and if you have the same conerns ask for Doctor if you can have a speech delay evaluation. The extra help is wonderful to have if you need it. Early intervention is a huge help. One of my dear friends came to my sons b-day party 3 years back with his two year old who had no language and my mom gave him a number for out here in California we have california early start or regional center or HOPE infant program where my moms works anyways, he got help and within three months he learned sign language and then he was talking.. They were so excited to have the extra help.....
HEIDI |
| posted by heidi on 03/01/2008 11:27 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I was going to say that about the sign language. Since Mikayla was six months old she has been taight sign language, and everyone asked why when she was not hearing impaired. Firts off it is another language, and it is good for the children's horizons to be broadened, secondly it gives the children words to use and ways to express their wants and needs before they are able to vocalize it. My daughter is 15 months and says maybe five words, my cousin was the same way, didn't really talk until he was about 2 and a half, and when he did, it was sentences and big words, he was absorbing everything. The one thing I have learned is not to pay too much attention the the "doing this by this age" label they put on everything. Your child is an indvidual and will do it when he or she is good and ready, so don't worry! |
| posted by on 03/02/2008 07:59 AM
|
|
|
|
|
| This is to Courtney. My son unfortunately does all of those things. How do you get in touch with a speach therapist? I thought he was coming along pretty good. He has a vocabulary of 10-20 words, understands to get something or put it back when I ask and tries to say something when it is used consistantly. He is 221/2 months old. |
| posted by Michelle on 03/02/2008 10:47 AM
|
|
|
|
|
hi guys, just a little FYI, I went on Babycenter.com and they had great resources on this subject under baby and then go under milestones, it talks about what they should be doing at certain ages but it was really interesting because off to the side alot of people were asking questions about language delays and there was alot of great information. some people said they waited and things were fine and then others talked about how they got early intervention. Just thought it was a great site might give some helpful information as well!!!!
heidi |
| posted by heidi on 03/02/2008 12:20 PM
|
|
|
|
|
hello all!
i started expressing concerns about my son's not talking when he was about 16 months and my pediatrician kept telling me to keep reading to him. Finally, at his 2 yr well baby appt, she acknowledged that he had a speech delay. We took him to an audiologist and there was no physical concern. I live in Pennsylvania, and the state runs an early intervention program for children with at least a 25% delay. A speech therapist comes to our home for an hour a week and works with my son- FOR FREE. When they evaluated him, he was 25 months and his expressive speech was at the level of a 13 month old. Every other area, cognitive dev., receptive speech etc . . . was right on target. He has made a great deal of progress already. They said there was no reason for me to worry, a number of children, more predominantly boys, have the same issues and, after early intervention helping, are right on track by the time they are ready for school. Having early intervention come to do the evaluation felt like someone was actually able to help, it was great! I would do an internet search to see if there are similar programs where you live. It was such a relief for me. Good luck and please keep us updated! |
| posted by Melissa on 03/02/2008 01:55 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| melissa your sons sounds ljust like mine. he just finished the early intervention program and we loved it. He became so close with his therapist that we even see her now on the weekends for playdates. He is now attending an EC class during the week and is doing great. |
| posted by on 03/02/2008 04:33 PM
|
|
|
|
|
I just did what melissa said and when you google early intervention 10 pages comes up and if you specify and put your state in alot of states and all universities in different states have a wide variety of programs....
heidi |
| posted by heidi on 03/02/2008 05:32 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| Thanks for all of your help. Its good to know others have the same problems. I will take your advice and let you know in a few weeks. Thanks again. |
| posted by Shelly on 03/02/2008 08:57 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| hey feelingfroggy, thanks for the words of encouragement! |
| posted by Melissa on 03/02/2008 09:41 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| My dad said that I talked late.Now he says he regrets teaching me lol! When he gets ready he'll talk.Everything that you hand him make him try and say.I make Lexi look at my mouth and say everything that I hand her.Or anything I see I want her to say. |
| posted by Lexi on 03/03/2008 01:57 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| Hello, I have fraternal twin daugthers that turn two on April 4th. Granted that my husband and I adopted them in December, they are almost 2 and are not really talking. One of my daughters can say some basic words such as Momma, Dadda, ball and uh oh. My other daughter can only say momma. We brought them to a new pediatrician and he asked if the girls were talking and informed us that we can get some free speech therarpy for the girls. He gave me the name of a company called Child Find & Developmental Pathways. I had a meeting with Developmental Pathways and they stated that the girls should qualify for the therapy. Our evaluation isn't until April 21st with the therapist but it sounds like the girls will qualify. You could see if you have these agencies in your state and see if you can get your son some therapy. Good Luck, Danica |
| posted by Danica on 03/19/2008 04:09 PM
|
|
|
|
|
hey there,
IF and that is a big if, your son has a speech delay (it turns out mine does), there is good news. check with your local school district. there are early intervention programs that begin in preschool AND THEY ARE FREE if you have an IEP. have him assessed in a little while to see. you can knock this out when they are young.
this is more common in boys.
if you want more info, i would be happy to talk to you privately. |
| posted by mom on 03/19/2008 07:57 PM
|
|
|
|
|
sorry! now i see all the other comments.
well i will tell you we are so so so happy with the early intervention program. so if any of you who are considering it want to hear what a parent involved in it feels about it, please let me know
elaine |
| posted by mom on 03/19/2008 07:59 PM
|
|
|
|
|
| I have a 20 month old son as well, try focusing on one or two words a week and he will catch on. Try not to throw so many words on him or pressure him. Every child is different and they all learn at different paces. |
| posted by Misty on 03/20/2008 07:20 PM
|
|
|
