I have an 18 month old son who is having quite a difficult time talking. He has in the past said a few things (like drink, please, bath, and pa (for grandpa). He is behind in his speech and is going to be evaulated by a speech therapist on the 29th of June. Lately (within just the last few days) every time we try to get him to say one of the words he has said in the past like drink or please he just throws and fit and runs around crying. I don't know if he is frustrated by his lack of ability to talk, or if he has just learned that if he throws a fit he gets his way. I hate seeing him like this, and he won't calm down until I give him and give him what he wanted. I am afraid that this is teaching him bad habits, and letting him know that he doesn't have to communicate to get what he wants. Has anyone else gone through this with their children, and if so, how did you correct this issue?
***EDIT***
I forgot to mention when I posted this that his is also tongue tied. We did not find out till he was a year old, and the options for fixing it was only to put him under and I do not want to do that at this point.
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I think since a speech therapist will be evaluating him soon I would not push him to talk. Just keep talking to him as much as possible.
Until he is tested, I would just give him a break. Do not repeat words to him, do not try to get words out of him. Just verbalize everything you are doing at all times.
Also, Are you sure his hearing is ok? Does he look at you when you are speaking? Can he hear you in another room if you call for him? Can he point to the things you say. Where is the dog? Where is daddy?
It will seem very strange, but this is the way many kids can grow their vocabulary...Do not expect answers from him. Maybe give him a moment. Or allow him to shake his head or to nod his head.
It will be a constant monologue.
Example:
"Good morning sweetie, today we are going to the store. Mommy is going to go and get her purse. I need to make sure I have my keys and the cell phone. Oh, did I just hear a knock? I am going to walk to the door and see who it is."
.."Ok, we have turned off the TV and made sure the shades are closed, lets walk to the front door and walk to the car. I better turn the doorknob and make sure it is locked. Yes, the doorknob is locked. Let me push my car keys to unlock the car door. Ok I am opening the car door. You can climb up in your seat. Are you ready for me to buckle you in? Ok I am going to close the door and walk around to my door. Boy it sure is bright outside and very hot. I will put on my sunglasses......At the store I need your help. I need to buy apples, bread milk, cheese... Please help me remember. Ok lets see I needed Apples? Did I need milk? What else did I need. I wish I could remember. Did I need cereal..
No response needed, just make sure he is looking at you and listening.
Kids go through growing spurts and can sometimes regress if they do not feel well. Hang in there.
I agree with Laurie A. What I noticed first was that my son could demonstrate that he could understand me. I would say, "let's go outside" and he would run to the door. He started saying words like baby, and juice just on his own and I would always respond with a question like "oh, you want your juice?" and sometimes he would just shake his head yes. Music has also been a wonderful thing for us to encourage vocal communication. I found that my son loves to sing. He will "sing" songs and get the tune right but the words are just wild. But he feels he is singing and communicating and it is just down right cute! So maybe try to find ways that encourage him to vocalize that he enjoys and just show your delight when he does that. I wish you all the best with the speech therapist! I remember that at about 18 months there was a dramatic shift in my son's ability to talk, so maybe he is just about to break through:)
