My 16 Mo Old Is Still Not Saying Much?

Getting him around other kids his age (maybe a little older 1-2 years) might help with developing social and speech skills. Some kids just won't talk! However, there are programs like birth-3 that work with kids who need help... maybe he's just stubborn like most boys :)

First, don't compare him to your other son because he is not your other son. Kids tend to do things in their own time. Second, when he points and grunts, don't give it to him. If he wants it then he has to attempt to say it, even if it don't come out right. Third, teach him sign language...if he's a cognative learner then he will learn to speak easier if he uses his hands also. And last but not least, if you're really worried, then take him to the doctor to be sure that his ears aren't infected and that he can hear propperly (that will often hinder and delay their language) and if all checks out well then have First Steps come in and get an evaluation...it don't cost anything and if he needs speach therapy then the sooner he starts the better. But just a heads up...most of the speach therapists will teach them signs because for some reason they learn to say the words faster if they learn the sign first.

If you are really concerned, then call First Steps to arrange an evaluation. It's free and done in your house. Takes about an hour. I had my daughter evaluated at 15 months because she was doing the same things my son was doing (ok, not doing) at that age... he's 4.5 and has been in speech therapy for almost 2 years. Anyways... she didn't qualify at the time but she was right on the borderline. They told me that if she did not speak 20-25 words clearly - meaning strangers can undertand them - by 20 months to call for another evaluation. That is the general benchmark they use.

Just keep trying to get her to repeat words instead of 'giving in' to the grunts and points. My daughter was only say 4-5 words clearly at 15 months but is now up to almost 20. (she's 19 months).

my older son didnt talk much at that age, either. he's now 2 and is talking fine, for the most part. each kid is different, and you can't rush him into it. talk to your son's pediatrician, and they'll tell you what to do. i labeled things for my son, and he began to repeat things after a while. read to him. it helps.

He's old enough to mimic you so when he points and you know what it is ask him. "Do you want you cup? Say cup and I'll give it to you." Hold it out to him but don't give it to him untill he says the word you want, when he does praise him like there's no tomorrow. Be consistant.

My little boy didn't say much until he was close to 3. He would say one word things, but just wasn't a talker. I was worried too, and had both his hearing tested and had him evaluated for First Steps. The thing was though, he just wasn't interested in the one word phase. When they came to evaluate him for speech therapy, he said every word to every object she showed him. She was actually surprised at how many objects he knew, insinuating that most kids his age didn't know as many. My son has always been obsessed with letters and numbers. So, looking back, I just don't think that talking was a very big deal to him, so he waited until he was ready. He knew about 60 words at age two, and I think they want them to know 50. Your child is still very young to worry about it in my opinion.

All of a sudden at almost 3, my son just took off talking. Now, he's totally caught up. I don't think he was ever behind now, just didn't feel like using his words back then. Also, if it makes you feel any better, he's now a genius in the spelling department. He turned 3 in December and can spell words like "xylophone, umbrella, watch", so just remember that every kid is different. Some are early talkers, and some are interested in other things.

Whenever he grunts, ask him what it is that he wants. if it is his cup say do you want your cup/ he should say yes. when he does, say When you want something ask for it. Grunts won't work anymore. I had to do this with my daughter and she finally figured out that she wasn't getting anything if she didn't ask. She quickly stopped.

Hope this helps!
L. Kay

I agree that its important to not give in to grunts and points. Making them say the words will encourage him to use them more often!

I think that's perfectly normal, T.. I have two - 4 and 2, and neither one of them really started talking well until after their 2nd birthday, and even then, it was just an occasional word. That isn't to say they aren't smart. My daughter could write her name before she turned 4, and now she can write all her letters, speaking early just wasn't her thing. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Hi T.! I have a nine year old that only said Mom & Dad until he was 28 months (now he talks so much my ears hurt!). He would grunt and I knew what he wanted. I had to go back to work at that point and he started daycare. Within the week he was talking. If you don't plan on sending him to daycare, you'll will have to stop giving into the grunts and make him try to verbalize what he wants. Luckily, I stay home now and my 21 month old doesn't seem to have this problem.
Shawn S.

Hi T., my son had the same problem until we found out he had fluid built up behind his ear drum. he couldn't hear us whan we spoke to him, so he didn't know how to speak. You might have your little ones ears checked.
T. C.

A child of that age should be saying at least 10-15 words. I dont know where you live, but if you contact your local Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) they may offer a early intervention program that has speech and language pathologists that can assist your child. Hope this helps.