Should I be Worried about my 17 month old son?

Question

My son is 17 months and he says dada and mama. He says many other words but they are not complete. He says do (dog). ish (fish), ho (hot) nan (auntie) ba(ball) etc. I really don't know if I should be worried or not, some people say that hes fine and others say hes behind. I know that all childern do things in their time. But the fact that he is not finishing his words worries me. If you could give me some advice or your own stories to show me that hes ok I would be greatly appreciative.
Thanks in advance

Answer 1

I am a mother of two, 6 & 3. I also have had several years experience working in day care centers and I am currently working on my Bachelors in Child Development.

This is completely normal. As you said yourself, all children are different. My daughter came out talking and my son was slower. Like yours, he said very little and didn't really speak clearly until his second birthday.

Of course, if your worried, talk with his pediatrician. It always makes me feel better to ask, even if I already know the answer! And Lord knows, I've asked my pediatrician ALOT of questions.

Here is a website that may answer more of your questions of what is "normal" and what you should expect of your son:

http://www.americanbaby.com/ab/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/ab/story/data/1138049153031.xml

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I understand you concerns and they are good ones. People often excuse children as just at their own pace. Sometimes this is true and other times it is not. The thing is if a child is behind or does have a delay the sooner it is caught the easier it is to treat and correct. By age two a child should be able to say at least 50 understandable words and should be making two word combinations. Although your little guy is still young I would really watch it. There are many children that are in speech because the either leave the first sounds off or ending sounds. This is a treatable delay. Watch him over the next couple of months and if you do not see any progress just visit with your pediatrician, preschool program, or call the health department and speak with someone in Child find or ask for a referral. There are speech evaluations that can be done at this age.

Answer 3

They generally don't start to worry about it until 2 years old.

My own son started speech therapy at 2 b/c of pressure from the doc. I really didn't think he needed it, even though he ONLY said the bare minimum... mama, dada. He refused to cooperated in the classes for 2 years anyway - too shy to actually "talk" to the teacher. In the meantime, he was making SO much progress at home on his own.

He's 10 now and speaks just fine.

I really wouldn't worry until he's at least 2.

Answer 4

I would not worry! He sounds like he's right on track. All children develop differently and at different rates. We have 4, and they have all done things at different ages and in different ways. I really wouldn't worry about him not finishing his words yet. If someone tells you he's behind, I would ask to see their speech therapy degree. That will end that conversation! But if you are still concerned, I would speak to your pediatrician about it. They may want him to be evaluated. Where we live, if you have a concern before age 3, the children's hospital will do it for free. You can also contact your public school system and they should be able to guide you in the right direction.

Answer 5

He is going through normal "phonological process development", where parts of words are left out. The sounds he's omitting are typically later-developing sounds, especially the initial sounds of the target words (/f/ and /l/, for example). Kids at your son's age will leave off the final sound of a word, even if it is an early-developing one, such as /t/, /g/, and /k/.
Normal speech development "processes" are predictable, and speech pathologists analyze them during an evaluation. They can identify abnormal processes, as well. Your son's process development seems appropriate for his age.
If he has had ear infections, take him to an audiologist to have his hearing tested (a nurse in the doctor's office won't do the type of audiometry that's most appropriate at his age). That way, you will be reassured that he is OK.

Answer 6

Oh my God that is such a big deal, Put himup for adoption and get child suport, He is a freak!!!!!
No not really he's only 17 months old his vocal cords are new and just starting to turn on. He will begin to talk at his own pace. In a year or so he shouldn't do this anymore, but now no problem

Answer 7

I am sure he is fine, My daughter didn't walk until she was 14 months old, I got to hear all the other parents and grand parents talk of how there child walked at 9 months or befor there 1yr birthday, I just pushed it all aside and let my child develop for herself, when he says his words you could repeat them properly for example when he points and says do (dog) you could look at him and say "yes hun that is a dog" pronounce the word correctly just don't tell him he is saying it wrong, just repeat the word correctly in a sentence, he will get it eventually, good luck.

Answer 8

He's still a baby- and he is in the normal range for his age- but you could ask your pediatrician if you are at all concerned.

Keep reading to him at night and during the day. Name everything and anything you are doing or object you are using. Label his room with pictures of objects and the corresponding word beside it...I did that with our son at age 2 and it really helped him- this also teaches beginning reading.

Try not to worry...I am sure he is fine.

Answer 9

I wouldn't worry about it right now. I think he's still within the normal range of speech. When he says words, just make sure you are repeating it back to him the correct way. When he points out the "do" you say "yes, that is a dog. dog says woof." etc. Soon enough he'll get it out correctly :)

Answer 10

I would not worry kids all develop different..some learn faster than others..Try not to finish the word for him...atleast right away this will disable him in the speaking skills..let him finish his word then you say it back..I had a friend who would finish the words for her son and he didn't learn to talk for himself for a long time also siblings will do the same for the younger ones.....Best of luck to you