My toddler is 21 months and does not say a word. Is something wrong?

Question

She mimics everything I do, and babbles non stop. The problem is that she does not say even one recognisable word.

Answer 1

Maybe. Get her to a pediatrician for testing. If there is nothing wrong, this will calm your concerns. Doesn't she have well baby checkups? They usually keep an eye on their development at those.

Answer 2

Ok, first off, a speach delay doesn't always equal Autism. I am very glad for people knowing about Autism a little bit, but many other things can delay speach. It can be something super simple. Sometimes a ear problem can equal speach delays or older siblings answering for the younger child. Babbling is a very good sign. Most children with Autism don't babble. My son didn't. Talk to your pediatrician and if you are still concerned get in touch with your health departement about the Infant/Toddler Program. They can get you more info and do some evaluations.

Answer 3

I think you should get your daughter evaluated for early intervention services. These are free and are provided by either the school district or another agency. Call your school district or your child's doctor to find out who provides these services. A 21 month old typically has 20-50 recognizable words. Early intervention will first do a 'screening' to see if your daughter should have a full assessment, if the screening shows areas of concern, they will do a full assessment to see if she qualifies for services. These are great services and can be very helpful and I would encourage you to do this as soon as you can and to not wait until she gets older. Good luck!

Answer 4

I had the same problem. My daughter had her own language and I kept bringing this up with my dr. Everyone kept telling me not to worry about it and not to compare her to other kids. Every kid develops at a different age. Even the peditrician. I had to take her to a ear nose and throat dr, to get tubes in her ears, and he found she actually had cleft palate. Causing her to have a hard time with speech. Not saying that this is what is wrong, but it gave me my answer. This was not until she was almost 3 years old. It's not a bad cleft palate, but bad enough she can't pronounce words. She is now 6 and is in speech therapy and doesn't stop talking!!! So talk to your peditrician or maybe start getting the child in speech therapy.

Answer 5

Have you had her hearing evaluated? Babies learn by imitation and they can't talk clearly if they don't hear clearly.

Also, if there is fluid behind her ear drum (as there would be with an ear infection) then she may not hear clearly.

My daughter had constant ear infections till she got tubes in her ears at 18 months. Up to that point, she said about 6 words- names of family members --but not said clearly. About 6 months later --after tubes-- she was talking up a storm ( but still had problems with pronunciation)

Some kids have delayed speech for other reasons. Ask your doctor about an evaluation.

Answer 6

you may maximum definately self-discipline your baby now. We began at 300 and sixty 5 days. It replaced into quite often redirecting our daughter yet she had to benefit no now and lower back. She is 20 months previous and whilst she does not hear we are able to positioned her in day holiday for 2 minutes. After the two minutes are up we refer to her approximately why she replaced into there and tell her what she would desire to do next time to evade an afternoon holiday. it works okay because of the fact she is a very pleased and obedient little woman. good success.

Answer 7

It is not a problem at 21 months. Talk to your doc and he/she can give you a time when your baby should have at least a few words. My son didn't start to say any recognizable words until he was 25 months and now he is 26 months and says so many words I can't even tell you how many. She will talk, don't worry unless the doc worries.

Answer 8

don't worry my son is 30 months old and is not talking properly yet!
he also mimics well...but just started saying few words.
but do get her hearing test...speech evaluation if all this is fine....than dnt worry.
all kids r diffrent..she may start late after more six months may be,keep her urging to talk..start with simple 2 alphabet words.
if she is babbles and understands what u say than dnt worry she will come through.

Answer 9

i would have her tested for hearing and developmental delays...don't wait to long if there is a problem early intervention is crucial.....My daughter was the same way and after all testing and she is still going thru evaluations at three and half she was diagnosed with autism now she is going thru testing to see where on the spectrum she falls onto now since she now can talk but is loosing words everyday....good luck but it could just be fluid in the ears and she is not hearing as well as she should

Answer 10

I would take her in to see a pediatrician. The earlier that a development delay is discovered the early they can start working on it. It may not be anything but it is worth a doctor's visit to make sure.