i have a 21 month old son and he is not talking as yet he only says words like dada and mama should i worry?

Question

he understands you when you speak to him but all he does is point he laughs and play with other but he his just not saying any words

Answer 1

You could contact your local Early Intervention. They are a government funded program that works with families in areas like this. They will send out 2 specialists to evaluate your son. If it turns out he doesn't need the program they will at least provide you with TONS of information to encourage speech. If he would benefit from the program they will come to your home how ever often they need to. It is awesome that he responds because they will ask that. They are great and you never have to pay a dime. You can contact them through The Department of Health and Human Services. It may be nothing but best to make sure.

Answer 2

Has he EVER said other things? I have a son and one nephew who both decided that talking was unnecessary. They would say a word to try it out and then never say it again. By the time they turned 2, both of them had said quite a few words, once. They each would only say mom, dad and maybe cup or cat but would never say anything else. It was infuriating. When they were around 28 months old (they were born nearly 8 years apart so the timing is coincidence or some genetic weirdness), they starting talking, they just were able to speak in coherent sentences and that was it. If you know he can hear you and you know he understands you and he communicates (pointing, wiggling his eyebrows and thinking really hard AT you like he is using telepathy, etc) then he is fine, just quiet. If think don't seem to change at all before he turns 2, talk to his doctor at his checkup. If you question whether he hears well or he seems to have no voice or other issue, then call and take him in but if he's just lazy/stubborn/quiet he will get over it.
You can try playing dumb and not being able to get him stuff because you just don't understand him but they usually call your bluff after a little while. Good luck

Answer 3

If your doctor has not mentioned any issues with it at your regular check-ups then I'm sure your baby is fine. Kids really do develop at different rates. And if he's babbling sounds, then he's capable of speech and you have even less to worry about. Couple of interesting things you can check out or think about: Ask your parents if you, they or any siblings were a late starter and ask your in-laws the same about your husband. Some things run in the family. Did your baby have a lot of ear infections? If so, some kids who had a lot of ear infections may develop speech later because they may not have been hearing as well or as much when their ears were infected (does not mean they have hearing loss or damage). Since your signing with your baby (which is really great by the way), he may feel comfortable enough with communicating through signing that he doesn't feel the need to speak. He'll still develop normally.

Answer 4

Sometimes speech delays point to other developmental issues and/or disorders. Sometimes they don't. Although I wouldn't worry about it, I would take action. It doesn't matter whether a child is in preschool or not . . . usually by 20 months, most children have a vocabulary of a couple dozen words (although some will have less and be fine!). There are many good programs out there to help evaluate whether or not your child needs intervention and also give you tips for stimulating vocabulary, including reading good books, asking questions and giving a time for response, and constantly talking to your child. Sending him to preschool isn't an answer for your child. Wouldn't it be better to find out now, so that you can either relax and enjoy your child or start intervention? Write down how many words your child actually says and record any other factors that might be of concern and talk to your pediatrician. Together you can work out a solution.

Answer 5

boys especially develop a little slower with speech. It may just be that, if you are really worried then you could talk to the Dr about it at his 2 year. I was told with my son that you should wait till they are 3 and if he is still behind to do something. He could catch up in that year, they learn so much they can't do it all at once. Hang in there, you knowing and wondering is a good sign that your not gonna let it get out of hand.

Answer 6

My son did the same thing. His dr sent him to a speech therapist, and I kept saying- No no, hes FINE, he is storing it all up to talk, I'm not worried!

Then, lo and behold, one day BAM! He woke up and looked at me and said "Hi, mommy!" and hasn't shut up since, lol. He was just storing it all up to use the words one day... I think maybe he just thought it was easier not talking, or maybe it was due to laziness, I don't know... but I knew he would be fine. Now, his vocab. is well above most 5 yr olds.

Take him to a speech therapist and see what they have to say... sometimes they can coax a kiddo into talking, too.

Answer 7

Don't worry about it. My older sister didn't start talking until she was 3. different kids progress at different times. He isn't deaf, because he can hear you and responds, and he isn't a mute, because he says mama and Dada, so you don't really have anything to worry about.

Answer 8

its fine my almost 3 year old isnt talking yet either hes speech delayed some kids are just slower then others he will start to talk eventually okay

Answer 9

in a way yes but then no.
if your child has been in daycare for a while then he should be talking because by him being around other children for a day to day basis then he should be saying much more.

but if he's at home all day then it's kind of normal. he would learn much quicker if he was in daycare because it's similar to school.

Answer 10

i wouldnt worry but see what his doctor says.... but i would teach him baby sign language, experts say it does not hinder speach dev. only enhances it .... good luck !