He can say "mama" "dada" "uhoh" and "mmmo"(for a cow). My family is constantly asking me if he is talking more and telling me that he has speech problems because of his limited vocabulary. I am worried that he is not developing at a rate that is normal for 19 month old children. Is this normal development for his age? Will he have to go to a speech pathologist?
2007-10-17 18:37:40 · 10 answers · asked by rachel c 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Don't push him. Let him develop at his own rate. Guide and encourage. Don't push. Don't be in a hurry. Don't compare him with peers who speak well.
2007-10-17 18:42:17 · answer #1 · answered by dearborne 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Talk to you pediatrician. He may require speech therapy. MANY kids that have had lip or palate surgery do require help with speech. Does he try to say other things? Does it sound like he's mumbling? Does he appear to hear OK? Does he respond well to your words? Does he have the ability to point to objects as if he knows them when you say what they are? These are all things you should consider when a child has communication problems. If he can show you his ears when you ask him, go pick a specific toy out, or otherwise show you he knows what you are saying then he could just be having speech difficulties.
Take a look at the links below to see just how much kids are doing at his age on average. If he does a good majority of them, chances are he's developing fine. These are based on AVERAGES, not every child does everything at the same time as others!!
2007-10-18 01:51:10 · answer #2 · answered by frogee100179 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The palate could have something to do with it, but he may just not be a talker. That is not a normal vocabulary size for that age, though. My daughter is 20 months old now and she has just in the last month really blossomed. At her 15 and 18 month checkups, our doc seemed concerned that she was not talking more and referred us to a parents in partnership program. They checked her out and confirmed that her speech was delayed. They did offer services, but they didn't seem overly concerned since she was on par or better with everthing else. We believe she just didn't have much to say, she was more interested in other things, so we declined services. We knew she had a huge vocabulary stored inside her head. She was constantly pointing at this and that, wanting to know what it was called. Now she has decided that talking is a good thing and she is constantly telling me the names of things that I know I have not said to her in weeks.
Since your son did have that surgery, it would not hurt to have him visited. I don't know where you live, but the people we went through work for the county and some work through the school district. Call your doc or county offices to find out if anything is offered where you live. The folks we met have a team that came to our house because that is where the kid is most comfortable and they basically played with her and asked us a million questions. Then they run the score and tell you how the child is looking in various areas of development. The visit is free and then they tell you if the child qualifies (i.e. shows that they could benefit from help in one or more areas) and then they'll discuss options. You accept or decline what you want, no pressure.
2007-10-18 02:10:55 · answer #3 · answered by ladybug 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there. My daughter was born with a wide unilateral cleft lip/palate. She's now 5 years old, has had 7 surgeries so far, and is doing great. :)
Yes, speech therapy is an essential part of a cleft-affected child's life. My daughter began at around 1-1 1/2. I assume your little one is in the care of a cleft/craniofacial center? The speech pathologist is a key professional of the cleft team, so you should be getting information regarding speech services.
Good luck!
Wanted to edit this to add something... cleft affected children need to begin speech therapy rather quickly, while they are first learning to form words and sounds. They have a difficult time forming most consonant sounds in the beginning, and you don't want them to get too "used" to saying the wrong sounds.
Speech therapy is essential for all cleft-affected children. :)
2007-10-18 07:57:57 · answer #4 · answered by AV 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
His speech would have been slightly delayed from the surgery but he is only 19 months and a boy who develop language slower then girls don't stress yet as there is still plenty of time. Just constantly repeat sounds to him such as when he asks for a drink say cup etc. and encourage him to say it but don't force him. He will be fine so don't stress. And if he does need to go to speech therapy that is not a bad thing my son has a mild speech problem because he can't control his tongue properly but they worked wonders with him in just two sessions. He picked it up really well and is just the same if not better then any other children his age.
Don't stress he is still young. but if you are concerned look up vocabulary milestones and start working towards them with him. But make it fun not hard work or he won't co operate.
Good Luck!!
2007-10-18 01:45:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If he can say mama and dada, he's well on his way to developing new words. My niece is 21mths and she just started putting 2 words together (dog Pete). Keep reading to him and pointing out animals, sounds, and objects. And, if he has to go to speech therapy, that's NOT a bad thing. He'll get kicked out in a few weeks for talking too much! And, you'll never have quiet in the house ever again :)
2007-10-18 11:28:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suspect he is normal with slightly slow development due to the surgery and others worry too much. Talk to him and encourage him to talk back by asking questions. Speak clearly and don't talk baby talk unless copying him for fun.
This site
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/baby-speech-developmental-patterns.html
says this
By 17 Months:
Points to objects, pictures & people.
Most vocabulary is mainly nouns ie. People, place, animal or thing.
Tries to imitate easy words.
By The Age of Two Points and says the name to simple body parts such as "nose".
Starts to combine words such as "more milk".
Can name a number of objects in their environment.
Can use some pronouns such as "He", "My" or "I". However "My" & "I" often get confused.
Understands simple sentences such as "show me your eyes (nose, mouth, hair)".
2007-10-18 01:43:56 · answer #7 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't panic that's normal.it's up to the parents to widen the vocabulary.we all want to have the smartest child,but have patience,it will come in time.tell them to back off and give the little fellow a chance.way to early to be considering a speech pathologist.they usually make a decision like that when they start school.
2007-10-18 02:21:40 · answer #8 · answered by git r done 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure he's fine!!! People tend to make that HUGE mistake of comparing children...You CAN'T do that...every child develops at their own rate...for example, my kids all started talking before they walked...my son was 14 months when he decided to walk, but he talked alot for such a little one...You'll be amazed, one day he's just going to start talking like crazy!! Now once he's 3 or older and not talking very well, thats when I'd start to wonder, but for now, he's still little and picking up on everything and it sounds to me like he's off to a great start!!! Don't worry, just talk to him alot, repeat things and breaking words down into smaller sounds helped mine learn faster...(for example the word doggy, I'd say "daah" "gee" start w/ the first part (the daah sound) once they repeat that say the "gee" part and once they repeat those sounds a couple times you can say the whole thing and usually they get it. Just enjoy him now while he doesn't back talk...ha ha! Don't worry, I'm sure your little one is just fine!!! Best of luck!
2007-10-18 02:13:24 · answer #9 · answered by Renee B 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Speech pathology won't hurt. I wish you the best.
2007-10-22 00:46:57 · answer #10 · answered by CC65 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋