Not So Chatty Toddler

I don't have advice, b/c I'm in the same situation. My daughter is 23 months though. I have started the process with Early Intervention, and am excited and hopeful. I've only had one appointment so far, so I can't give you any details. My doctor recommended EI when DD was 19 months, but I decided to wait a little while. It's amazing how different doctors have different opinions. I think there's a reason EI is from birth to 3 years, not 2-3 years. I don't know if you need a referral, but if you do, and that's what you want, then I would say be persistent.

My son really didn't start talking regularly until he was about 2-1/4 years old. He would say a random word here and there but never consistent.

My recommendation is to make/buy flashcards and try to go through that with them daily--and go nuts with excitement if he repeats a word or says one on his own.

i have heard that boys are slower in the talking skills, my daughter was speaking in sentences by a year but her social skills left a lot to be desired at the time, they all grow at different paces. that being said i do have one idea for you, but i have never had to implement it and i had to be clear on that, because this advice is not derived from experience. you said that he knew the name of things, i was wondering if he points at things and mumbles (as if he wants them), if he does then pretend you are not certain what he is pointing at, and ask him what it is he wants, keep pretending you don't know until he says the word. this next one i do have experience with>> you might try those little flash cards that have texture (like a cat is fuzzy) and a fish has scales), he might combine his auditory, visual, and tactile learning skills and it will be easier, most children are mostly one of those 3 types of student, ask yourself what he has already learned and how it correlates with one of these types, if he mostly identifies with things he is allowed to play with he may be a tactile learner, if he mostly repeats things he hears, then he might be an auditory one, etc... the great thing about the flash cards is that they combine all three

Just like some adults are quiet, so are some children. Your son could be shy. My brother didn't really talk until he was three (other than mama, daddy) he mostly pointed. One day he was watching the Lone Ranger and he just decided it was time to talk & came out with a full sentence because he was so excited - "He lost he hat! Mama, He lost he hat! Today my brother is still very quiet & more of an observer, but there was never anything wrong. He is one who chooses his words wisely & doesn't end up with foot in mouth near as often as most men I know. If he is not going to daycare, I would suggest taking him once in a while for the social skills. I work at home so I can experience every moment of my 14 month old son's life, but take him for a day or two every other week for him to play, make friends, and also to expose him to germs & build up his immune system. Every time he goes he comes home so excited and exhausted and babbling up a storm, but he is a chatter box. Good Luck!

My son did not start really talking he was 26 months old. Before that he would pick a word, say if for about a week. Then he would stop saying that word and pick another. At 26 months it was like the lightbulb came on and he hasn't stopped. He sometimes talks more than my girls.

normal normal normal. granted my son is learning two languages but he picked up afew words, lost interest in them and then kept on with the question words until one day magicall he started talking.... alot still at 30 months about half is bable (or words he just can't pronounce so i can understand about 1/4 is english and about 1/4 is spanish. he makes much more sense now, but at 20 months and from waht you've said he's much more interested in absorbing. i remember that my son too was a chatterbox when left to play alone in his room, but he'd clam up around me or other adults (though less around me). don't push him, he's probably getting it, but wants to work it out for himself a little more before he goes to you and your hubby with it. alone talking to himself time is very important and very overlooked at this age. don't worry until later on, seriously. he's got a long way to go, and you need to respect his learning style, which may be introspective.

hope this helps. and good luck.

I completley understand. I have a 21month old boy and he is the same way. He know what some things are called and will say them when I ask him to, but he doesn't know how to put any of the words together. His favorite word is "car". He will say ball, poo poo, pee pee and other words, but only when I try hard to get him to say it. He will talk jibber jabber to his dad and me but we have no clue what he is saying. I think it's not un-normal at this age. I have a lot of friends who's kids didn't really start talking until they were 2 or just after. My Dr. said the same thing. Just wait a little while. My son is also very smart. He will get things when we ask him to. Like his blankets, a ball, his cars ect. He does it. We can tell him to go to bed and he runs in the room and onto his bed. But no talking yet. Keep your hopes up. I'm sure your doing everything you can. Some kids develope mechanical skills quicker than speech skills, but it will come..... Good Luck!

E.,
Your son isn't even 2 years old yet. Just like everything else, speech will come at its own time. If he is reaching 4 and having the same problem, I would be concerned but right now, he sounds like he is right where he needs to be. My own daughter turned 2 last November and shes not speaking alot either. So if your doctor is telling you that your son has a speech problem, you really need to get yourself a second or third opinion.

My girl was right at 2 years old before she'd say anything but "nay nay" for horses. Your son sounds just like her in that you're sure he can say it, he just won't. I think that my daughter was just waiting to say it until she was sure she could say it right.
All I can offer is, "don't worry!" He'll come around. And just keep up enunciating words to him. He's listening more than you think and, as my daughter proved, they'll start talking and it's a snowball from there!
Just be patient. He'll grow up in no time!

Good luck,

B

E.,
My son gets help from First COnnections. It is a FREE service to all children 0-3 yrs.
The information is: Arkansas Infant and Toddler Program - PO Box 1437 slot 2520 - Little Rock, AR 72203-1437
Phone: ###-###-#### TDD ###-###-#### FAX ###-###-#### toll free 800-643-8258
I have a referral form if you located in Arkansas this might help. But they come to your home and evaluate your child to see if there is any delays. IF there is they will set up a time through the week to come to you home and work with your child to get them on target or ahead. You can also mention to them your worried about the speech and they will get your child evaluated and then a speech therapist will come to your home. You don't have to be on medicaid or low income this is a FREE program for children that might need alittle boost in life.
Good luck hope this helps. IF you want me to email you a copy of the referral form ust let me know.
Jan

He's fine. Just keep talking to him and acknowledge any verbal response positively. He will talk to you when he is ready. My son took forever and now he will not stop except to sleep and sometimes eat!

Hi, E.. I am an Early IIntervention Specialist at Frist Steps Early Childhood Intervention in Beaumont. We provide services to families of children (birth to three) who have developmental disabilities or delays. The program is provided to families at little or no charge ( based on income and insurance status). All services are based in the home and are aimed at parent education so that YOU may provide your child with the stimulation needed to enhance his development. -
At 20 months old, your child should be able to name most commonly used objects, name family members and make request-. He should begin putting 2 words together soon and be using his words most of the time to get his needs met.
Our assessments are provided free or charge to families. IF you are interested in making a referral or learning more about what ECI has to offer you can call our local ECI number at ###-###-#### or locate ECI Texas on the web. Good luck with your little one.

i would take him to the doc and have them then tell you to take your son to little work b/c i had the same thing with my son and little works is great m,y son is talking so much better now i have been going there for year. R.

I would suggest doing exactly what you are doing. Continue talking to him, that is how he learns. He will eventually talk. You said he can say the names of objects because you've heard him, I wouldn't push him. Just continue to name things to him and show things to him and he will get it. When he does say something praise him and tell him he did a good job. Be patient, some children are just stubborn, but oh so sweet!

Hi E. my name is E. I am from Beaumont Tx and have two children 2 1/2 & 4. Yep 18 mths apart. My daughter at the age of two thru three went thru this studdering and babbling stage. I would ask her something and she would answer but half the time it was babbling or it would take her forever to get it out because of the studdering. Finally after doctors and teachers saying its just a stage she'll grow out of it. Ok we said we will give it some time. When she would studder we would get down to her level and tell her say the word one time. Finally after a few of sessions like that and with the Teachers at Day Care she hasn't done it in almost a yr. As for my son thats a nother story. He is 2 1/2 and just recently did he start talking so that you can understand him. I don't know if it will help you but when Daniel would ask for a certain toy or a piece of candy I would not give it to him until he told me what it was. I want that Sucker or I want that Train. Same thing when he would ask for his cuppe (cup)Ok well what do you want in it any thing but Juice would come out. He would not get it until he got it out. But I wasn't mean about it, I would sit on the floor in front of him singing it or saying it over and over and finanlly he would start in. And always tell them good job.

Hi E.,
It sounds like your son is quite advanced, and as boys tend to be, doesn't quite grasp the aspect of communication yet. As a mom I know that all children grow at a different rate. But, also, as a mom I know that mothers instinct is important...if you are worried about getting him to a speech therapist, then get a second opinion.
I'm kind of curious as to how often he's been around other children, and how he interacts with them?

My son was the same way. A wonderful resource that I am surprised your doctor didn't tell you about is Early Childhood Intervention. It's a federal program for children up to the age of 3 where they provide free therapy of any kind, speech, physical etc. They test for free and if he qualifies they will provide any needed services. We had our son tested, just in case and he did qualify. They sent therapist to our home several times a month. I would call information for a testing center near you. Remember it doesn't hurt or cost anything to have him tested and if he qualifies he will get all the help he needs.

E.,
I'm new to mamasource, but I am an audiologist. Have you had your son's hearing checked recently? The good thing is that it sounds like he is processing what you say since you can repeat it once. That means his cognitive ability is probably great! Some children just don't want to speak! My sister's son didn't speak until he was 24 months old and then one day he just started putting words together! Every child is different, but I would suggest a hearing test just to rule out ear infections that could be causing a fluctuating hearing loss. Hope this helps. J.

DEAR E.,

I AM A THIRTY YR. OLD MOM OF THREE, ABOUT TO BE FOUR, CHILDREN. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT SO FAR ALL MY CHILDREN HAVE HAD DIFFERENT SPEECH PATTERNS. MY FIRST CHILD WAS BEHIND IN HIS SPEECH BUT HE DID SAY WORDS. IT JUST TOOK HIM A WHILE TO START SPEAKING FLUENTLY IN TODDLER LANGUAGE. AS FOR MY SECOND. SHE WAS BORN TALKING. AT 1 SHE WAS ALREADY SAYING SENTENCES. NOW AS FOR MY THIRD. SHE IS MUCH LIKE YOUR SON. SHE DOES NOT WANT TO SPEAK! WE TRY TALKING TO HER AND GETTING HER TO SPEAK AND SAY WORDS BUT SHE WONT. SHE DOES BABBLE ALOT THOUGH. I CAN TOTALLY INDENTIFY WITH YOUR CONCERN. OUR THIRD CHILD IS 17 MONTHS. SHE LIKES TO POINT TO THE THINGS SHE WANTS. I TRY TO GET HER TO SAY THEM BUT SHE DOESNT ALWAYS DO THAT. SHE DOES SAY SOME WORDS RATHER WELL. I JUST FEEL FOR HER AGE SHE SHOULD BE TRING TO MAKE SENTENCES BY NOW. SHE DOESNT DO THAT EITHER. I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED JUST AS YOU ARE, BUT I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT EACH CHILD IS DIFFERENT. THEY WILL DO THINGS WHEN THEY ARE READY, NOT WHEN WE ARE. YOUR SON WILL PROBABLY DO JUST FINE. EVERYONE SAYS THAT OUR DAUGHTER IS JUST QUIET. WHICH MAY BE TRUE. YOU MAY HAVE A QUIET CHILD AS WELL. DON'T PANIC YET. I AM SURE HE WILL BEGIN TO SPEAK SOON ENOUGH.

My boys also had problems speaking and I got them into ECE at the ageof 3, to help with speech therapy. Your son may have wax in his ears and can not always hear what you are saying. Then gets very frustrated when you don't understand him. With my boys that frustration led to disciple problems due to acting out and anger control issues. May I suggest an ENT or even your Peditrician to looked into the problem. Explaian how he is with regards to speaking. My boys had to have their ears washed out, but this can be dangerous to try at home. I hope you find a good Doctor to help you with this. Also if he's had a lot of ear infections then this to can lead to speech problems.