My daughter is almost 16 months and hardly says anything?

Question

Nika, my little one can only say no, mom, bye and dad, sorta. I am not even sure she knows exactly what those words mean. She understands some of the things I say like come here, but I am getting a little concerned with her speech. I wasn't worried before but she is in a program called "Help Me Grow" which a service coordinater comes over to your home and screens your child to see if she is developing properly. She excells in physical growth, but has a few social problems. I know it is not autism because she is social, but she babbles a lot and doesn't seem to be learning any words. I am not certain what to do. We play with her a lot and we read books, but she doesn't seem to be picking up on any words. The thought never occured to me before, but the last time my coordinater was here I was babysitting my younger brother who hardly says anything you understand and he is five. She asked me if it was a possibility that speech problems run in the family and now I am not so sure.

Answer 1

Just the other day I pulled out old vhs tapes of the kids and my 14 month old didn't talk much either. Then out of the blue I remember she started talking like crazy. She is extremely bright. by the time she was three she taught herself to read. I would voice your concerns to the therapist. put her in a play group with other children who are just a few months older than she is. She will want to copy them. If they are already talking then she may pick up on it. Otherwise, have her hearing checked. SHe might have a clogged eardrum making it harder for her to hear and learn

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry about it too much. My two and a half year old only says a handful of words but is perfectly normal. She gets assistance from a program where I live thats called Babies Can't Wait. They have a speech therapist come over once a week and work with her. They say that a lot of things can determine how late a child begins to speak. Sometimes their personality, or maybe there are two languages being spoken in the house(My case). But they say that 3 tends to be the magic point when the really blossom speech wise. If there's nothing wrong with your child, just check into some of those programs. More than likely they're covered under you state.

Answer 3

Children start talking at all different ages(Albert Einstein did not speak a word until he was 7) Your daughter at 16 months sounds like she is doing just fine. My youngest daughter (now 2 1/2) did not speak a single word(not mom, dad, hi, bye nothing)until she was 20 months old and now she speaks in full sentences(still amazing me to this day)and we can't get her to keep quiet. I do know your concerns as I had them all myself(she even took speech therapy for 8 months twice a week with no results)but when she was ready she was ready.

Answer 4

Being social doesn't mean she is not autistic. My child is the most social person I know and is profoundly autistic as is the case with many.
Not trying to panic you but a professional evaluation around 2 years (if no change in her speech) wouldn't be a bad idea. It could be a hearing disability or a speech disability like Apraxia. Professionals who work with children with disabilites would be able to let you know for sure. It's not being overprotective or paranoid-it's being a parent.

Answer 5

I agree w/ some of the other answers. Have her hearing checked. Is she prone to ear infections? Could be fluid on the ear. If not, give her time. All kids are different. You'll be shocked how much she'll say between 18 months and 2. She's taking it ALL in right now. Relax.

Answer 6

at this age, your child is saying an average amount of words. There's often a large vocabulary explosion closer to or shortly after 18 months. Don't worry, she's developing normally.

Answer 7

I have a perfectly healthy and happy youngest child, and I STRESSED so much that she didn't talk like her siblings. She's only really started talking in the last year, she's 3. She's FINE. Ask your doctor and don't fret. She could have a lot in her head...

Answer 8

Like a lot of people said children develop at different rates. I would have her hearing checked though just to make sure.

Answer 9

My son is 22 month's old, and he says things when he feels like it, and he can definitely hear because when "Go Diego Go" comes on and they are about to say "uh oh" he says it before they do. I know my son can talk because I have heard him say da da, ma, pa-pa, kiya(his sister), na-na. He just doesn't speak very often, but I an taking him to his doctor Monday just to check. I would suggest talking to a speech therapist, or and ask your family members about it, but don't worry yourself to death about it because she will probably speak at her own pace, and then you'll be ready to muzzle her(Ha!Ha!). Just pray, and good luck on everything!!

Answer 10

Hi,
I think it's normal,put her around other kids her age and like under 5 years old and she should start speaking,well saying more words.Speak to her as well,like try to teach her words.