My son is 18 months old and is still not saying words.?

Question

My son is 18 months old and is still not saying words. He babbles constantly and is always trying to talk. I try to teach him more and do a little “speech therapy” like saying mamamama dadadada lalalala making sounds with he’s mouth but he just gets frustrated or loses interest in what I’m saying. I read to him a lot and teach him objects and everything. He appears to understand everything. All commands that I say to do or not to he understands very well. I don’t know if it’s me, that’s not trying hard enough or what?

Answer 1

as a speech therapist, I am glad to hear your child is at least babbling. No sounds at all would worry me the most. Your child should be saying around 10 words at this point. By 24 months I am looking for a child to be saying 50 words. Try baby sign language. It really works!! It does not discourage talking in children. All our research says that it encourages verbal output. With sign language, you are providing a a verbal AND visual model for the words you want him to say. Start with simple signs like more, eat, drink. Model the sign, and show him how to make it and praise praise praise.
You can find lots of information and models for the signs by googling it. By the time your child is two, if he is not saying very many words, just ask your doc for a speech eval. A speech therapist will be able to give you individualized suggestions tailored to your needs, you dont have to actually get therapy unless you want to.

Answer 2

I have a 16 and watch a 18 month old boy so they are about that age. My son doesnt say many words either and I asked the doctor and they said thats normal. Can your son answer questions like bring me your shoes, or go get your cup if he can he is right on target. Some kids talk later than others. The other chilod I watch is 2 months older and he doestn say anything except mama and dada. My son can tell you the sounds of animals and loves to say whats that all day long and points. I have worked with many children and I noticed they all develop at different paces. The best thing you can do is keep talking to him he is taking it all in. Pretty soon you will be wishing he didnt talk as much.

Answer 3

The next time you take your child to the pediatrician, ask him to check your child's hearing while doing a full work up. If there is anything wrong, they can catch it early and treat it. Don't beat yourself up over worrying if something is wrong unless you are told it is. My second son (third child) did not talk or walk until he was around 18 months old. I was frantic as I had been in a really serious car accident while pregnant with him. The doctor told me that when he was ready to walk/talk he would and that to watch him interact with my other children and the rest of the family. His older brother picked him up and hauled him wherever he wanted to go and both his brother and sister gave him whatever he pointed at....the doctor said I wasn't raising a 'dummy' he knew how to manipulate the others without making a sound or unnecessary movement. Why should he do it if the others would do it for him.

Now the end of the story. Same boy is now 14, runs constantly and there are days we WISH he would just SHUT UP!!! Be careful what you wish for (grin).......

Answer 4

My son is also 18 moths. Until about a week ago all he would say was "no." My doctor said just keep talking to him. Before they understand how to speak they understand what you are saying. Before you know it he will be talking up a storm. If he doesn't go to daycare, schedule some playdates with other kids. The more he is around other kids, the more he will pick up on what they do. Just don't get hung up on what they can do and he can't. My frined has a daughter the same age as my son and one day we got into an argument because she seemed to think her daughter was better because she didn't have any teeth. My son got 2 of his front teeth in before her daughter had one. I think she felt bad because her daughter didn't have any, and lectured me about how children that get their's earlier are more likly to have cavaties. Children progress at differant rates. You seem to be doing all the right things.

Answer 5

Your frustration is showing, and that is not good for the child. Whenever you give him anything like sippy cup/bottle, food, drink, toy or blanket sound it out and pronounce every syllable. Do not baby talk. Also, if he attempts or does pronounce the object, show the most enthusiastic joy you possibly can. Baby Einstein videos are very useful, no more than 30-40 minutes a day of watching. Just remember sometimes children talk when they get ready. Lastly take him to the doctor and express your concerns.

Answer 6

My son is 25 months and says hardly anything. At this point my son should be saying at least 50+ words. I know that many people would suspect autism at this point, but I know that he understands everything that I tell him. He just doesn't want to talk. My older son who is now five didn't speak much until he was 3, I thought for sure something was wrong, but now I can't get him quiet. Every kid develops at his own pace, but it's sometimes hard when it's your kid that is going at the slower pace. Your doing everything fine. You should share your concerns with your peditrician. He may want to have hearing testing, because sometimes they may have a problem with their ears that can be corrected. Hearing problems would cause a speech delay. Chances are he is fine, but you should still talk to your doc

Answer 7

Hi there! I think your son is fine. :o) By 18 months some children but not all are able to say a few words. Are you with your son all day? Hay may be able to say a few words but you just haven't heard him use them yet. I know a 2 year old who does not talk. He just babbles. Doctors have said that he is fine but his speech is being delayed because he has siblings. (They tend to speak for him!).
I think if you were to take him to the doctors they will tell you, you have nothing to worry about.
Just enjoy being with him and reading and playing etc like you already are. You're not doing anything wrong. He will soon talk! x

Answer 8

Wow, take him to a pediatrician and see what they say, but don't worry. My sister's son didn't speak until he was over 2 years old. He turned out just fine. Isn't being a parent a sometimes scary adventure? It sure has been for me! Good luck with everything and arm yourself with knowledge. We as parents need all the help we can get!

Answer 9

He should at least be saying mama and dada. My son was a preemie (Almost 3 months early) and he started saying these at 8 months...5 3/4 months corrected age. I would talk to his doctor about having his hearing checked just to be on the safe side.

Answer 10

If you are truely concerned talk with your DR.
KIds just go at there own pace My 16 month baby girl does not talk. it is not that she can't she just wont. we will here words only when she wants us too.
I would say keep working he will talk when he has something to say, as long as he understands what you say and can do simple commands like sit down and stuff you should be fine