Should I be concerned about my 19 1/2 mo old not talking?

Question

My little one has not started to "officially" talk yet. Should I be concerned? When did your little one begin talking?
Our pediatrician suggested a neurologist who suggested an EEG (which came out normal) and we are due to get an MRI and hearing test next week. Is this going overboard or is this the right thing to do since he isnt talking. He understands what we tell him and learns really quickly I feel but he just doesnt say anything. He can say up and then occasionally will say a series of words (one at a time) but only maybe once a week at most. Any suggestions would really help.
Also the neurologist says it "might" be very mild autism but we dont want to think about that one, since my husband and I feel (along with our family) that he is just not in that spectrum and we hope.
Thanks!

Answer 1

Ask your doctor or look around for any local- or state-based early intervention programs. I know someone in the same circumstances who hooked up with a state program that comes in and does an evaluation. Based on the evaluation, they can assign various types of specialists, support, or suggest therapies/treatment as needed. There are a lot of different potential reasons for delayed speech, some not so serious, others potentially so. It's good to have input from a team.

This program has worked out well for her and her toddler - the speech is still behind schedule, but things are moving along (partly with added adult help and partly just natural progression). The mother feels a lot better having some answers and feeling at least a little in control of the situation. Between the team and her doctor, they've at least ruled out any gross abnormalities or medical/social/psychological issues requiring intervention.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I am surprised that the specialists are throwing so many suggestions in so early. My oldest son did not say much until he turned 2, then he started speaking in sentences. My daughter on the other hand started very early because she had an older brother to talk to and our youngest was even earlier. If he understands you and is a happy child why not give it a little while before you start running more tests. He isn't 2 yet so there is no real need to panic. Maybe he is going to be a really good listener and goodness knows the world needs more of them.......I found the following on the 2nd web site below, I feel it shows that your little one is not so slow after all. He has just entered the next category. The first web site below shows some exercises and games you can do with him to get him talking as well. Hope this helps.

16 to 18 months Vocabulary of 10 words; some echolalia and extensive jargon; 20% to 25% of speech understood by strangers
19 to 21 months Vocabulary of 20 words; 50% of speech understood by strangers

Answer 3

Normally children don't start speaking until almost or around two years old, and that doesn't mean he has to be saying alot of things. I think your pediatrician is doing all this to help you feel at ease. I don't think that is necessary as of yet to see if he has a slight delay or autism. If he does not seem up to par in his age group at 2 and a half or three than the EEG and hearing test may determine if he has a delay or autism.

Answer 4

My youngest did not start talking until he was about 20-22 mo. He never had to really...he would point to things and my other kids would get it for him.
I suggest you sit down with your son, read books together, point to objects and see if he will tell you what they are. Maybe use a reward system...he says the objects name he gets (a fruit snack, an M&M, etc). Positive reinforcement.
Not all children are the same...they learn different things at different times. I'm sure your son will start talking soon enough.
Mine just turned 3 and I can't get him to be quiet now.
I've added a link about Autism...this is something you have to read over and make your decision if its worth pursuing further. I think he is much too young to be diagnosed being that symptoms usually don't appear until after 2.

Answer 5

You are not going overboard. Keep talking to him and urging him to talk. If it is autism, I pray that it's not, but if it is mild autism take him to a therapist now. Catching autism in it's early stages can give him a better chance of recovery. I have a cousin who teaches autistic 2 and 3 year olds and she says when caught this young they have a better life.
Best wishes.

Edit: My daughter starting talking early at 17 months. She said things like "I want eat", " I see daddy", "No, I don't bath".My son started very late at 2 1/2. He wasn't autistic. He just didn't talk.

Answer 6

It's ok, so long as your pediatrician is not involved, then she'll be first-rate. My three 12 months historical did not speak very a lot in any respect 'til simply over two, and he or she did not even say Mommy 'til 22 months, after which it got here out as ma. Now, she simply became three, and does not ever give up speaking, ever! Singing, dancing, speaking continuously. This beyond 12 months has been the sort of difference for us, so it is been satisfactory. Most individuals are capable to comprehend her, and he or she simply began preschool, so matters will simply get greater! One of the matters her pediatrician stated is if she is not "speaking" by way of two, then begin to get involved. If we did not observe consistent enhancements, that means weekly or so, in her speech, then we will have to get involved. Well, all's well now. Goodluck

Answer 7

My son was diagnosed by the age of 3 with pdd nos.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is a 'subthreshold' condition in which some - but not all - features of autism or another explicitly identified Pervasive Developmental Disorder are identified. PDD-NOS is often incorrectly referred to as simply "PDD." The term PDD refers to the class of conditions to which autism belongs. PDD is NOT itself a diagnosis, while PDD-NOS IS a diagnosis. The term Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also referred to as "atypical personality development," "atypical PDD," or "atypical autism") is included in DSM-IV to encompass cases where there is marked impairment of social interaction, communication, and/or stereotyped behavior patterns or interest, but when full features for autism or another explicitly defined PDD are not met.

At the age of 2 my son would say a few words but he wouldnt combine none or know how to respond. He would just repeat what you ask or say to him. For autism you gotta look to see if he has other signs . Its weird a ped. suggests a neurologist. so quick. Mines just reffered me to developmental pediatrician and i think you should try this first. Neuro is when a kid has severe problems in language, mentally etc...

So if i were you go to a develop. ped to have him evaluated. Its doesnt hurt getting him evaluated. My son understands everything you tell him ,even tho he might ignore us at times, has tantrums ,line up trains and cars etc ,has some social problems but not major. But if your son dont have any of this well i dont think its autism at all. Maybe he just needs speech therapy.

Good luck and feel free to contact me if you want to talk more!

Answer 8

If there is a problem with ear infections or a constant sickness of any kind (that could be "clogging" his ears) it's a good possibility that he just can't hear all that well. My little brother is 14 years younger than me and I remember this happening to him when he was little. He didn't speak until the age of two. The Dr. gave him a shot of steroids that basically dried up his ears and with in a day he was rambling off every word he could think of. It was amazing!

Answer 9

i doubt if it is Autism since my brother has mild autism. the signs he showed are not like what you described in your son. He might just be a slow learner. My god-child turned 2 in November and she still mumbles words and will only repeat what she is told to repeat. Just talk to him alot. In a normal voice, not that baby voice. When he is talked to in a baby voice, he has nothing to learn from. when he was 6 months it was great but at 2 he needs to hear something that he can mimick. Hope this was helpful

Answer 10

Normally as per my experience ,child started talking at two year. Before that are speaking something but we are not able to understand anything.My baby started saying some words which were not understandable at the age of 20 month