My son is twenty months old and still not really interested in talking, is this normal?

Question

Some days he tries more than others and does great, but generally he is not into talking much yet. What do I do?

Answer 1

my son did not want to talk before 2 and 1/2 years old and he is now 15 years old and does some college level work, Einstein did not speak until he was three. If his hearing seems normal, I would not worry a bit.

Answer 2

A 20 month old should have somewhere between 20-50 words and may be starting to form 3 word phrases. If your child has about that many words, I wouldn't worry. Some kids take a little longer than others. Talk to your child's doctor and ask him or her if he/she thinks that an evaluation for early intervention would be appropriate or if your child's development is on track. Good luck!

Answer 3

Boys tend not to talk as early as girls. I would, however; take him to the doctors, as you are concerned about this. My son had 20 words at 1 year, as my daughters didn't talk much until 16 months. Then one of my daughters first real words were "I want that." She was in the fridge pointing at something.
Take him and have his hearing tested. This should be done anyway. As mom's we worry so much, but it is probably for nothing. As usual. Good luck.

Answer 4

My daughter didn't really have an interest in talking at 20 mos either. She kind of developed her own language by the time she was 3 yrs. My son was the only translator that we had in the house... he's two years older than she is.

Once she started getting around children her age that did talk in English, she started talking more and more now at 15 we can't get her to be quiet at times. HAHAHA!

I wouldn't be concerned just yet. What I would do is if he wants something repeat the name of it when you hand it to him... ex he points or acts like he wants milk you say "you want some milk? Here's your milk." Or if he wants a particular snack "you want Cheerios? Ok, let's get the Cheerios. Here's your Cheerios."

I hope I am making sense, what your son wants can be a person, a toy, food, or etc. doesn't matter, just repeat the name of it several times. When it's bath time or time for getting dressed repeat the parts of the body you are bathing or dressing. as in, "lets wash your hands, there's one hand, and two hands. Let's put your shirt one, put one arm in, two arms in." Repeating stuff all the time... it slowly becomes a habit with you, and constantly talking to your son will reinforce the speech patterns and learning proper names for things.

Don't get too worried just yet, if he still isn't talking or has other delays by age 3, I would have your doctor or a child development specialist do an evaluation on him.


Here is a list of developmental milestones by 24 months that I found -

Movement

* Walks alone
* Pulls toys behind her while walking
* Carries large toy or several toys while walking
* Begins to run
* Stands on tiptoe
* Kicks a ball
* Climbs onto and down from furniture unassisted
* Walks up and down stairs holding on to support

Hand and Finger Skills

* Scribbles spontaneously
* Turns over container to pour out contents
* Builds tower of four blocks or more
* Might use one hand more frequently than the other

Language

* Points to object or picture when it's named for him
* Recognizes names of familiar people, objects and body parts
* Says several single words (by 15 to 18 months)
* Uses simple phrases (by 18 to 24 months)
* Uses two- to four-word sentences
* Follows simple instructions
* Repeats words overheard in conversation

Cognitive

* Finds objects even when hidden under two or three covers
* Begins to sort by shapes and colors
* Begins make-believe play

Social

* Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children
* Increasingly aware of herself as separate from others
* Increasingly enthusiastic about company of other children

Emotional

* Demonstrates increasing independence
* Begins to show defiant behavior
* Episodes of separation anxiety increase toward midyear then fade

Developmental Health Watch

Because each child develops at his own particular pace, it's impossible to tell exactly when yours will perfect a given skill. The developmental milestones will give you a general idea of the changes you can expect as your child gets older, but don't be alarmed if he takes a slightly different course. He still has 4 more months to get some of these accomplishments and develop more language skills.

Hope this helps!! You can email me if you have other questions.

Answer 5

Talk to your pediatrician. She will be able to assess if your son has met the other milestones for his age. If he is behind in multiple areas, then there might be an underlying issue. However, the fact that he is trying to talk is good. Some children just start later, and there is nothing wrong with that. Good luck!

Answer 6

I have a 20 month old daughter who doesn't talk much either. She babbles all day long. OH, sh'ell say things like "Daddy" or "Hi", and about 10 other words, but right around age 2 exactly it all clicks together. Don't worry.

Answer 7

well, boys are generally "slower" at the milestones...but your son is right on the cusp. i assume you went to his 18 month check-up, and will go again for his 2 year check up. talk to your doctor. usually if a child is not saying more than Mama and Dada by 24 months, they start checking for Autism..or other developmental delay

Answer 8

This boy I used to babysit for didn't talk until he was 2 1/2, but when he finally did, it was whole sentences. I don't have much advice on what to do, but I do know that they are learning about speech even if they're not using it.

Answer 9

perfectly normal sweety. all kids are different. my 1st started saying little things a little over a year and a half, but my second was babbling stuff before her 1st b-day. it just depends how much interaction thay get. my youngest was always being doted on by my older one so she talked sooner. I have a set of twins nephews also who were premies and they talked quite late, not til after there 3rd b-days and they still use mostly there twin language, not what we can understand

Answer 10

My son wouldnt also talk at that age so I asked his dr and she recommended him to be evalutated for speech therapy and he indeed needed it. But that is still young he can start talking at any time:) if you are worried just talk to your dr and see what they say