How Many Words Does/did Your 15Month Old Say.

Don't be scared. My middle dd was late in speaking. My dr was not for testing and therapy but i was concerned. at 23 mos we had her tested. she was 1 yr ahead for understanding, BUT she was 7 mos behind in speaking. They ended up doing play therapy. She loved it!! The lady came and played games to try to get her to say more words. In 8 mos she gained 1 1/2 yrs of speech!! It was so worth it. I would go for it if the dr wants to do more, you DD can only benefit from it!!

Wow, I am very surprised the doctor said that. It sounds like shes doing beautifully. My son turned two in Sept and is just now saying sentences. His ped does not seem concerned at all. He is pretty much what you described your daughter and I think hes doing great! He almost knows all his abc's and can count to ten, but of course he is a year older than her. But like I said, he has always been good at other things, just not a large vocabulary until now. I wouldnt worry!

I agree with Mo. Your doctor is definitely jumping the gun. I think the general rule of thumb is that if they aren't speaking much (meaning 20 words or more) by 24 months, that is when they need speech therapy. She seems right on track, and if not, there is a free speech pathology program you can take advantage of called Early Intervention. No family makes too much money for it, and it is amazing. My son was a slow talker and within 3 months of starting the program, he was at a speaking level well above his age. He now has a vocabulary that is better than some 6 year olds I know (he is 4). Just remember, it is not the end of the world if she does need speech help. You are not a bad parent, she just needs a little extra boost! (But like I said above, I'm not really sure she needs it!) Good luck!

my youngest is 18 months old. she said mama, dada, ja (for jack, our dog), baw (ball), bye-bye, and hi. Our ped didn't say anything about her being behind at her 15 month visit. she says a few more words now, but she (like your daughter) understands instructions and is very inquisitive/curious. i would say the ped's worry is a little premature, but that is solely based on having had 3 girls. i wouldn't say she's behind at all. maybe inquire more from the ped as to what she is basing that on? is that a range for 15 month olds? every kid is different. you are allowed to decline the therapy if they "recommend" it (went through that with one of my girls and the ped recommending physical therapy because she didn't walk within their timeline; she ended up doing fine and walking on her own a month later. we declined therapy.). try not to stress out. maybe work on using her words more than the sign language? i don't know. sounds like she's very bright!

I don't think the Dr. is over reacting. It is my experience that they usually under react. My son also did not speak not speaking in sentences until he was over 2 years old. He was babbling at a year old still. I took him to the Dr. and she said it was no big deal and he was not talking because I did everything for him so he did not have to say anything. Her advice was to put in daycare to be around other kids. It helped somewhat. He eventually had to see a speech thrapist. He is now 6 years old and has been tested in school as reading at third grade level.
I believe this is because of all the stories we read and I expose him to lots of literature.
If I were you I would buy the educational DVD's like leap frog story book factory and books on CD.

Until a language explosion at age 2... these were all the *words* my son had:

mama
dada
baba
nana ... we call grandmothers nana in our family
up
down
peas (please)
tan-q (thankyou)
nigh nigh (night night)
tlangkeeng (blankie)
mmmmmm (either delicious "yum" or "I think not")

However, he communicated just FINE. An example: I'd ask if he'd like some more milk and he'd smile, come running forward, look expectant, raise up his baba (cup/bottle), and say "Peas", and after filling it he'd say "tan-q". A quirk of an eyebrow would be a question, a different kind of quirk would be skepticism. One kind of shrug meant one thing, another meant another. He could say a thousand words with his face and body. He had absolutely 0 problems being understood by people (even people outside of our family), and his comprehension was huge. He could point to colors, letters, numbers, parts of the body, follow directions (Kiddo, can you grab me the red shirt from your closet? ... would result in either the red shirt or him shaking his head no. Blue? And the blue shirt would appear.)

Now... all of this was spanning the YEAR. He wasn't even walking at 1, so I wasn't sending him for his shirt at 12 mo, but 18? Sure. Prior to red shirt it was things like put x in the garbage, or your shoes off the couch... then as he aged he got more precise.

Because he so clearly understood, and because he very clearly made himself understood... neither I nor his ped was concerned. And sure enough... language explosion right around age 2. So much so that that was our language "year". From speaking to reading. First 6 months or so was a real focus on fine motor (using his tongue, lips, and moderated breath to form words... and fine motor like finger and hand motions; pincer, mouse -computer-, coloring, typing, utensils), second 6 months was cognitive (taught himself to read, memorized poetry/ songs/ stories/ dialogue/ "funny things" people said, etc.). Then at 3 he dropped the fine motor and cognitive and switched into major emotional / intellectual meshing and independence seeking (aka the terrible 2s came a year late to our house), and moved right back into big motor (figuring out all the various ways he could hurtle his body throught space).

It is likely your doc is over reacting BUT that's not a bad thing. Therapy in this sense is nothing but good for a child. Actually though from what I've read children who sign have a larger vocab. but speak later. Encourage her to use words whenever possible, calm down, and appreciate that your doctor wants to be sure. A lot of doctors put off testing and therapy for such delays and if there is a problem that delay can really hold a child back.

I wouldn't worry. Some kids just aren't talkers. I think your doctor is just being precautionary. And I've been told that if they know sign language, you have to add that to the list of words that they know.
I babysit a little boy who is 2.5 now, but about a year ago he barely mumbled a peep. He knew some sign, but he was very physical and he preferred a little more action and a little less talk (hahaha). Now he repeats talks a lot more--though he still prefers action to talk. And a friend of mine has a little boy that didn't say a word, then BAM, one day a river of words just came pouring out!
One thing I would be sure you are doing is talking a lot. If you talk and name everything you are doing and everything they want or do, it might help (ie If you're handing her milk. Say, "Milk. Yes, this is milk."). Stress the important word. Try not to use pronouns like "it" "this" or "that"--actually name the item or activity. And make sure with the sign language that you always always say the word and do the sign at the same time. You might also point to your mouth and say the word she is signing or saying to help her see how to annunciate. Make sure no one talks "baby talk" around her. Baby talk is like listening to a foreign language. It is confusing for them (and any adults listening as well).
For what it is worth, I LOVE sign language! It is totally awesome that you are using it. It really helps children develop their vocabulary and communication skills at a much earlier age. Good for you!!!

Anyway, blessing to you and your family.
Julia

Hi K., I think you and your DD are doing great. Babies have so many skills they need to learn in such a short time - gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, social/emotional, communication, adaptive/self-help, etc. In your DD's case, she is very advanced on her gross motor and comprehension so I think it is OKl that some of the other skills may not be at the same level. I think reading to her and teaching her sigh language are great so just continue doing that.

My boy only spoke a few words before he was two. He is five now and has excellent language skills. He really started to talk at about 27 months. Our doctor has never suggested therapy for him and obviously it wasn't necessary either. I wouldn't worry too much about it at this time.

Personally, I do think that she is overreacting. My ped actually says it is fine as long as they are speaking 3 words consistently by 15 months as long as they are able to communicate with you and understand what you are saying. I know plenty of kids who had a slow start and ended up more advanced than my older son (who started speaking at 9 months). My younger son had fewer words than your daughter at 15 months (I think he said mama, dada, bye bye, and dog and signed "more' and "drink", "eat" and "all done" and that was it) and my doctor wasn't worried. They either focus on the verbal or the motor skills and the other catches up. At 18 months, my son added more words (I think his 5th word was oddly "turtle") and now at 22 months he is finally at the point where he can repeat most words that we say and he points to and says quite a few words when we read stories together (some quite clearly, others are more difficult to understand but he is trying!) He only started saying his brother's name about a month ago, but I guess it is a hard one for a little guy and he finally came up with something that we can understand. We are still not worried about him as his motor skills are very advanced and he understands a great deal. Just this week he started saying his own name and he understands when he sees pictures of himself that it is him and he points to the picture and says his name and then points to himself - so cute! He's starting to sing the alphabet and he knows all his body parts (I think he only knew to point to nose at his 15 month appt). He can even count a bit. All kids are different, but it sounds like your daughter is doing great!

My 13 month old says dog, duck, cat, kittycat, daddy, book, and once she said mommy. These words are not clear but clear enough to make out what they are. She does not point out any body part yet; just yesterday she pointed to her nose and then my nose and I repeated the name of the body part several times.

I too, read baby books to her and she is around her older siblings so she actually loves to draw with a crayon. We just had our 12 month appointment and our pediatrician did not seem worried at all.

My middle child did have a severe langauge delay. In fact, he qualified for two hours of speech and two hours of OT a week when he was 2 and an half so I am always on the 'lookout' for developmental delays. By the way, he is now seven and reading above grade level. He taught himself how to multiply and to divide and understands factorials. So I also don't think that just because there is a delay that this is a lifetime sentence if the right therapy is given.

With your daughter, I think its too early to be freaked out. You have to look at her skills as a glass half full. She actually almost knows half the words she 'needs' by the time she is 18 months and that is three months away. I believe that with what you are doing, she is easily going to achieve this goal. The fact that her receptive language is great (her ability to understand what is being said) is a signal that her expressive language should follow and grow.

You are doing everything right. I think you only need to keep doing what you are doing and relax. When I look at my 13 month old, I am constantly reminded how new and exciting everything is for her and I have to remember to embrace her joy.

My third son didn't say a word until about 17 months and now at 20 months only has a few but communicates and understands well. My niece only had about 3 words at her 18 month checkup, so they went for a speech therapy consult. After evaluating her and seeing how she responded/understood everything, the therapist kind of said "and why are you here?" I'd say do the consult, but yes it probably is overreacting.

I am not a doctor, but I think that YES the doctor is overreacting. I have come to learn that pediatricians are so text book and most kids are not text book. I have finally found one that gives me the text book, medical opinion but also gives me the real world-most kids are not by the book-mommy advice. We went through the exact same thing that you are going through when my daughter was between 15 and 18 months. She communicated extremely well, I always knew what she was telling me/asking me. I always tried to get her to use words instead of sign language or pointing but I came to realize that she just couldn't. She tried but had trouble saying the words. Everyone told us not to worry and that she would start to talk when she was ready, but we were nervous and I am a big believer in early intervention. The therapy was free in our county so we had her tested and she tested high in everything but low in her talking. Well, two people that she had never seen before came into our house and tried to talk to her, but she was not very receptive to these strangers so it is no wonder that she didn't test very high in her speaking. Anyway, over the next few months, we had a therapist come in for one day a week for one hour and she even said that she didn't think that my daughter needed the therapy (my daughter quickly became comfortable with the therapist). We continued anyway because it was free and my daughter had a good time. My daughter is now 2 1/2 and she doesn't shut up!!!!!!! LOL! The therapist did work with her a L. but not much, basically she just played with her and monitored her. We are stopping the therapy early because according to the therapist she just doesn't need it. It is a tough call, because you think in the back of your mind, what if there really is a problem and you don't catch it early. I would wait until she is at least two to make a decision on whether to get therapy. Of course, if it is free like it was for me, I doesn't hurt to have it because it will give you piece of mind. Sorry this was so lengthy but I wanted you to know that your story sounds exactly like mine. I wouldn't worry, all of the sudden she will just start talking more and every day it will progress.

Don't worry. My daughter said less than that and only a few signs then. She is 21 months old now and just had a language explosion. She even told me "I love you." I had a witness, than goodness so I didn't imagine it. LOL. Your daughter sounds really good to me. You seem to be doing a great job with her. Keep up the good work!

Like your son, mine had the same understanding and was advanced in other areas. Then when he was 18ish? months old he had his hearing checked out and they said it was fine. Then I had him go to an ENT to have him really checked out and that is where they found the problem. He had gunk built up in his ears so bad it was like he was hearing everything if he was underwater. It like if you put your hands over your ears and listen that way. My son didn't notice anything because his ears were like that for the longest time and it was all normal for him. So after 3 rounds of different antibiotics to try and clear it up and it not working they decided to go ahead with tubes in his ears to clear it up. On the way home from the hospital I could tell a difference. The wind from having the windows down bothered him and so did the fan in the bathroom. The speech started coming a little clearer after that. He did start speech therapy at around 18 months but it didn't make much of a difference until after he had the tubes put in. He had the tubes done 27ish months. He is still delayed at almost 4 but he is still doing his therapy and he goes to public preschool 3 days a week and gets speech there.

When my now 10yr old was two all he said was something that sounded like bopum bopum. :) Like your daughter, I knew he understood things and he had his own unique way of expressing what he wanted. He is now in all the advanced programs his school offers and is a straight A student. His Doc at the time made the same comments and I too was a little freaked but at the same time I knew he was a normal healthy boy and when he was ready to talk, which came a short time later, he spoke in full sentences. Follow your own gut instinks, you know your daughter better than your doc does. I know they have charts that follow what the averages are but lets face it we are all different and things come to us in our time frame not some time frame of a chart of averages. As long as you know she can hear and understand and you know she is healthy I wouldn't worry. Keep doing what you are doing. Very limited TV and read, read, read. Good luck!
L.

My daughter is also 15 months old. At her appointment we were asked if she said at least 3 words. The answer was yes and that was it, no concerns at all. Your daughter obviously knows how to communicate. I think the only concern you should have is where you can find a new doctor, one that has realistic expectations and understands that all children excell in different areas and at there own pace.

I am going through this issue right now. At my daughter's 18 mo check up the doctor was concerned because she only consistently says 5 words, and non-consistently says 10 other words (it's whever she feels like it, but the dr. said those don't count). She wanted me to schedule a follow up in a month to have her evaluated for early intervention. In the appointment the doctor even, quickly, stated "she's a late talker."
Here was my feeling. She admited she was a late talker, she knows my baby is not around other kids (which will change next month), yet she wanted me to come back and have her evaluated by a therapist for early child intervention. Something did not make sense to me. Nor did she explain anything.
This whole time I have been worried, but cancelled the appointment. Something in my gut just said, this was the final straw with this ped. I have had issues with her in the past, and never really felt like she gave me any guidence. Since we had moved, and I didn't feel like driving 30 miles anymore, it came at the right time to switch peds.
I had an appointment today (my baby was congested). I mentioned to her what the other dr. said, what she wanted to do, etc. She gave me a funny look, and told me at 18 months they should be saying 7-20 words. If they are in that range its normal. She couldn't figure out why the other dr. discounted the words my daughter has said, but not consistently, and why on earth would she want to have her evaluated by a therapist already.
She said that she should be around other kids, which I told her next month she is enrolled in a youth program. She said that was great, and she is pretty positive she will improve, and if not 2 y/o is when she will determine if something more needs to be done.
It was like a huge weight was taken off my shoulders. My old ped did the basic job, was VERY by the book (which I know some people like, but it's not all it's cracked up to be), never truely listened...as soon as a problem was presented she already had in her mind what needed to be done.
This ped was great, she explained everything, and why she wanted to evaluate at 2, rather then now. When my daughter was 15 m/o she did basically what you wrote yours did (except saying more then a few words).
I don't know what advice to tell you, but to go with your gut. Everything you said your child is doing/knows sounds pretty much on track.
(Oh and I just wanted to add I don't think the first dr. wanted to schedule the follow up with a therapist to get money or anything. Both of the dr's I saw were in the same network/work for the same company). Good Luck!

I have a son who was a late talker. My flags did not go up until after 2. I think 15 months is too early especially with everything else she is able to do well. My son was diagnosed at age 3 and only because I was sure something was not right. I would not worry and wait until 2. In the meanwhile continue to do what you are doing. Get her involved in a kids group at the library or community center. Books on tape are great for kids. Encourage her to read with you out loud. I love that she knows sign language. Not everyone is going to be a motor mouth and thank God. There are already too many of those out there. Also make sure no one is talking for her. My daughter did that too much for my son. But now at 12 my son talks all the time. Just relax and enjoy your child. I think people are so afraid of autism that they overreacting to everything these days. Use your instinct as her mother. You will know as she continues to develop if something is not right.

Here is how I answered a similar question recently...

"Both of my kids had very limited vocabulary until just after their second birthdays. I spoke to the ped and she asked me to notice other "language" markers. Did they understand directions, would they respond to their name being called, could they point to people/objects they recognized the names of, did they use facial expressions and hand gestures, did they use intonation in their babbling? If I could answer yes to these questions she felt there wasn't need to be concerned (they were under 2 years old). She also asked me to note any new words or sounds they produced. We agreed to a follow-up shortly after their second birthdays if they didn't show any progress. Well, in the two-three weeks that followed their birthday their vocabularies sprouted. They added new words everyday. They started talking in sentences. They are now 5 and 6 and very articulate. I would say if you can answer yes to the questions above, there is likely nothing to be concerned about. Kids are learning soooo much in those first few years that they can't "master" everything. If your grandson is active and learning how to run, jump, play, be a friend, follow directions, push your buttons, etc then he may be taking in the language skills and just is not exhibiting them yet. As always, though, if there is concern, mention it to the ped or ask for a referral for a speech/developmental evaluation."

I think your baby sounds normal to me. Its hard for a doc to diagnose your kid after only seeing what happends in a 10 min visit. What you described your baby is saying, I think she is fine...if she hasnt progressed by the 2 year mark, then I would be concerned. Sign language is a great way to communicate with your child but it also can slow then down when it comes to talking..They know if they do the sign for drink, you will understand and give her a sippy....vs saying "ba ba or drink". When your baby signs to you, try to get her to say the word AND do the sign.
My DD is 21 months old now...around 15 months she just started talking and would say doggy, binky, daddy and NO...but that was it...seemed like every day she would learn new words...so dont sweat it..by 18 months she will have a big vocabulary. :):)