18 Month developmental skills?

Question

I went to the Dr. for my sons 18 month check up and the Dr. said that he is a little behind on verbal skills. The only word my son really says is Dad & he understands who it is, which is very frustrating because I'm a stay at home mom & you would think his first word would be mama since I'm with him most of the time. The Dr. suggested I read more to him. I think I've read almost every book to him & he loves it, but still does not talk. He is now 20 months & still refuses to talk. He understands when I tell him simple things like time for bed, do you want a drink?, or just basic things, but he will never say anything. He looks like he understands it's just he refuses to try to speak. Has anyone else had this problem or is there something I'm doing wrong?

Answer 1

My son just turned 18 months yesterday, and he only has six words: frog, good, Mama, Daddy, Nana, and Papa. He will attempt to say other things, but they all sound like baby talk. When most people find out that he is not really talking yet, they look concerned and tell me gently that their child was really talking away by 18 months. I don't let their comments bother me. My son is his own person. He is developing exactly like he is supposed to, and he doesn't necessarily fit into the "average" range in every category (like verbal skills), but he is in the normal range.

If you doctor said that he was a little behind but didn't seem worried or recommend you to a speech therapist, then don't worry. "A little behind" doesn't necessarily mean "developmentally delayed" or that there is a problem. Doctors use the "average" amount of words that the "average" 18 month old would use to evaluate your sons progress because every child is unique. There is a huge range for what is normal.

As for your son saying Dad instead of Mom, don't worry. Dad is an easier sound for them to make than Mom. It doesn't indicate a preference for one parent over the other.

Encourage your son to babble with you. If he understands simple commands, try asking him to speak. It might sound silly, but I often ask my son to try to repeat things after me. Sometimes he tries, and sometimes he just stares at me. It depends on how hard the word is that I asked him to try. I always celebrate any attempt. I say the word, wait for him to try, repeat the word for him if he doesn't say it correctly, and then we clap and cheer and hug.

Your son sounds like a normal 20 month old. You sound like a loving and attentive Mom. Practice asking him to speak, celebrate every effort, and relax. The more anxious you are about the situation, the more tension he feels too. If the doctor is not concerned yet, then give your son a little more time to grow and learn. His 24 month visit is not far away, and the doctor will reevaluate him then.

Answer 2

I know of a girl who's daughter was the same way. I never found out what was the problem but she did not talk at all and when she did it was to her brother or a neighbors kid. She is at least about 11-13 now and she is still like that. I say keep a close watch on him and if it still continues as he gets older take him and have him checked out. Why she wouldnt speak was mind bogglin to me she played with the kids and everything, never did I see her speak a word to an adult.

But on a good note I read in the paper about a 15 year old girl who just graduated from high school, she is a genius with an IQ of 185 and her mother said she never spoke as a toddler but when she turned 2 and finally talked she spoke in complete sentences no broken words, and from then on the girl excelled in every grade above the other children . She is 15 and entering YALE, so it just could not be his time to talk yet.

Answer 3

My daughter is exactly the same. She is 15 months and the only words she says is dada (daddy) and nini (goodnight). I also stay at home and am desperate to hear her say mommy. Her doctor said by 15 months she should have a 20 word vocabulary. She has said that maybe she needs me to talk to her more and give her the opportunity to talk, but that is basically what I do all day and still no results. I thought she may have a hearing problem but I would try to talk to her from behind and from the side and she responds and understands so I think her hearing is ok. Doctor says its ok. I read somewhere that children who are physically advanced usually are late talkers because they put all of there energy into their physical abilities so talking takes a back seat. My daughter was crawling at 4 months and walking by 9 months. I am hoping that is the case because I can't seem to find another reason.

Answer 4

You aren't doing anything wrong. Children usually do things at their own pace. You can take him to a speech therapist, but I would give it a couple of months. My daughter's pediatrician said the same thing at 18 months because she was only saying about a dozen or so words, but within a month she took off talking.

I have been using baby sign language with her since she was about 4 months. I read in article in Parents or Parenting magazine that babies who learn to sign usually learn to talk earlier and have higher IQ's. Even in children where that isn't the case, it makes life a lot less frustrating being able to communicate with an infant/toddler. I bought baby sign flash cards on line from Amazon.com. I would always say the word as I did the sign. My daughter just turned 2 and talks in 3-4 word sentences. Good luck!

Answer 5

I work babies bith to 3 years old. By 21 months a child should have 20 recognizable words. By the age of 2 they should have at least 50 words. You can call the local school district's special education office and ask for an early start assessment. Early Start services are free and are for children birth to age three with delays.

Answer 6

my child is the same way
i am suprised ur doc didnt say anything bout speech therapy
if i were u i would start that now
18-24 months is crucial time for speech
speech therapy at this age would be somone coming to your house an hour a week and doin exercises with your son and talkin to u about what might help they will have u try all sorts of things and maybe one will work
they may even test for autism

best of luck i know it cna be scary but i would talk to your doc and get involved in speech