Our 20-month-old says exactly 1 word.?

Question

His hearing is fine and he has no physical problems that might inhibit speech. Many info sources point to possible Autism. Thoughts, anyone?

Answer 1

You've really got me trying to figure out what the one word your baby says....anyway, they say Einstein didn't speak until he was past two years old. It sounds like the doctor has given your baby a complete physical , and a clean bill of health. If you haven't already, you may want to take him to an autism specialist for evaluation. I know this all really weighs on you, but whatever is going on ,it's definitely not your fault ,and an answer will be found.

Answer 2

I am a special needs teacher for children ages 3-6. There are other signs of autism but most kids are not truly diagnosed until they are 3 or 4. If he is not around any other kids, such as day care, church groups, etc. then that would be beneficial. The more kids hear people talk, the faster the will acquire language. Here are some website to check out: http://www.autism.org/overview.html, http://www.aheadwithautism.com/warningsigns.html, http://www.firstsigns.org/. Keep in mind that some kids are just slow talkers...my hubby didn't talk until he was almost 2 now he wont shut up :D If you would like to chat with me about this my yahoo ID is cmth36 an messenger!!

Answer 3

There is a program called Early Intervention which is paid for through your tax dollars. If you can't find them in your phone book,call your local school district, the program may be under a different name in your area. This program is for children up to the age of 3. A social worker comes to your home to see if evaluation is necessary. Once that is determined, a speech pathologist and special ed teacher will come to your home and interact with your child by playing games with him and observing his actions and reactions. You will also be asked a battery of questions about his development, birth and health. If further help is needed, they will write up an action plan and you will be eligible for the necessary services. I went through this with my now 3 1/2 year old. She also wasn't saying much at 20 mos. They came and determined that her receptive skills were fine and that the words would come (and they haven't stopped!) Don't jump to the conclusion that it is autism. If you truly feel that it is, take him to the pediatrician and express your concerns. Good luck.

Answer 4

if late speech is the only thing that points to autism, it is probably something else. other sings of autism at this age would be things like throwing violet and frequent tantrums, being a picky eater, not wanting to play normally, but instead doing a lot of repetitive actions, a lot of times autistic children actually stop using words they have already learned. also, for some reason autistic children often have lager then average heads. hope this helps. i might be hard to get an accurate diagnosis for autism at this age, but it might be worth getting him tested.

oh also one thing you can do is teach him a little sign language. my mom did this with my sister and i. children are able to lear sign language sooner then speech, and it actually doesn't delay their learning to speak at all.

and curious_Dalton, Einstein didn't speak until he was about 5, and a lot of people think that is because he was autistic.

Answer 5

My son could say exactly 4 words at 24 months. His physical dev. was fine and he understood what others were telling him. I used some sign language with him to get over the frustration. I also read lots of books with him and just pointed things out to give him the words for things - that helped alot and hi liked the one- on -one. He's five now and he's got a full vocabulary.
Ask your doctor or Community services and find out what programs are available in your area. In Canada there are lots of programs through public health - I'm not sure what there is in the US.

Answer 6

If it's mild autism like Asperger's or something similar like ADD, that's a good thing. Those disorders are a double edged sword and have more positive symptoms then negative. Albert Einstein had Asperger's- he didn't speak until he was 4 years old! Learn to appreciate your child's positive qualities and encourage his strengths. Maybe he just doesn't want to talk. There's a difference between can't and won't. Don't be impatient with a child simply because they are different. Different doesn't mean inferior.

Answer 7

My 20 month old nephew has exactly one word: Is. He says it when pointing to the dogs, his mom, the coat rack, everything. When he was born he had a "funny foot" and strained neck muscles that need physical therapy to correct. He is also very tall and very lean (90th %tile in height, 30th in weight). My theory is all his development has been to overcome his physical problems and to grow, thus the speech development has been sort of put on the back burner.

I (and his mom and dad) really want him to talk; but for now I just think it's fun to have him as a baby for just a little longer.

Take care.

Answer 8

I wouldn't worry about it yet. He will talk when he is ready. Chances are he just has nothing to say yet.
I have 4 children. My first talked before she was 1. My second and third were both over the age of 3 before they would say 1 word. (not even Mom or Dad) We had the 3rd child in speech and all kinds of therapies for it and then one day she started talking in sentences to us and now she is 5 and hasn't shut up since. Now, my 4 started talking earlier than any of them.
Some children just take their time. Let him move at his own pace. And forcing him to talk will only frustrate him as well as you if he isnt ready yet. Just be patient.
If you start noticing other symptoms of autism, then start worrying about it.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Silly Lilly, have patience your child will come along just fine. If you pay attention to Yahoo Answers you will see that supposedly mature adults cannot spell, most of the teenagers cannot put together a coherent sentence and the most popular word in the English language is "like". So don't worry you will have plenty of time to wish that at some point in time your child will stop talking and give you some peace and quiet.

Answer 10

Don't worry too much yet. If it's only the speaking issue, it may not be autism. Some kids are just slow at certain stages. I know this is not the thing to hear when you are worried, but once he starts talking, you will wish he would stop! =)
If this is still an ongoing issue in 6 months, I would get him checked.