Talking?

My son did not really start talking till he was about 18 months old. I would not worry especially since he is saying a few words.

I think he sounds totally fine! My now almost 5 yr old, didn't say anything but Mama and Dada until he was closer to two. Then one day, all of this vocabulary just came exploding out! It was kind of funny. He is still to this day, very much a thinker. He really thinks about things and then will say what he wants to. My oldest daughter, on the other hand, likes to talk just to hear the sound of her voice, lol.

If you are worried about him you can call First Steps. They wroked wonders with my boys. It was a free to very low cost service that came to my house and did speech therapy and developmental therapy. Don't wait too long if you have a feeling talk to your doctor, it turned out my 6 year old had speech delay and so I had my 18 month old tested and he also was testing low on his speech. My six year old is now in Kindergaten and is moving on to 1st grade with 6 hours a week of speech therapy and 180 minutes a month of learning disability teacher to help him. We had him tested they just told me he was slow. If I find the number I will give it to you. By the way we caught my Jack in time and he now can't ever be quiet. and he is 3. Knows his abc's months of the year how to count so First Steps were awsome.

H.

Kids talk at very varying rates. Boys typically take longer with talking. At the 15 month appointment, the pediatrician asked if he said 5 words, so I guess that's pretty typical. My second son is 18 months. I remember he took longer to say hi. First word was hat and then ball. There was a talking spurt in his 15th month and again in his 18 month about where he all of a sudden seemed to talk a lot more. I wouldn't be too concerned yet. Maybe he just hasn't hit his talking "spurt" yet.

My son is 14 months and only says da-da and ma-ma. He gestures and mimics and I think that is just as important as saying actual words. My son waves hi and bye and is starting to point to body parts. He also listens to simple directions so his receptive language is good and that counts for speech development too. I don't think speech and language development are solely based on expressive language and talking, it encompasses a range of skills. I think if he mimics your actions and sounds you make and can gesture then he is most likely fine. I know it is hard not to worry. When he is talking your head off in a few months you will wonder why you wanted him to talk so early in the first place, ha :)

It's probably nothing to be concerned about, but if you're worreid about it no one should tell you not to be. Our son's language exploded at 18 months, and before that he only said a handful of words.
The medical advice I received was not to be concerned until after 18mos.
In fact, our daughter is 19 mos soon to be 20 mos and while she is saying a number of words... they are phonetically unclear. We're having her evalutated tonight. I'd rather get the evaluation then let more time pass and hope she improves.
Follow your gut.

on a related note, kids tend to work on only one "thing" at a time. For example, my almost-one-year old son said "mama" "dada" and "kkkcchtee" (kitty) about a month ago, and said them often. He hardly talks at all right now. But in the last month he has learned to crawl, pull himself up, and has started walking. I think his words will probably come back once he's mastered walking.

My son at 15 months old said ma ma and da da only. Alot of my friends children were already saying over 50 words. My son is now 26 months and he speaks in sentences. I believe when they are ready they will talk.

I think your son sounds normal for his age. Boys especially develop speech later than girls. My son is 16 months and he says around 5 words, but some he says rarely like "more". He says "ball" and "ma" and "da da" pretty regularly. He says "no" occasionally. If your son is babbling a lot too, that's probably a good sign since he's trying to communicate and experiment with words.

T.,

Don't worry....Seems like he is doing very well so far....He probably knows more than you think. My daughter didn't start saying new words other than a few until she was 18 months. It is just now at 20-21 months that her vocabulary is taking off. If he doesn't say more by 18 months double check with your pediatrician to be sure he doesn't have a hearing problem.

Good luck.

I believe that on average kids should have 5 words by the time they are 18 months, so your son sounds totally normal! Kids do develop speech at completely varying rates. At some point he's bound to have a speech explosion, but it may not be until he is 2 or older. That's pretty typical. The fact that he is saying some words and communicating should put your mind at ease. He sounds like he's doing just fine.

My daughter started walking at age 10 1/2 months and didn't start saying many words other than mama, or dada until close to two. I was starting to get worried and then all of a sudden right before she turned two she said everything. She always understood everything and could respond well to questions, such as where's your nose, chin, etc. Or if we'd say, go get this or that, she understood around 15-18 months, so she understood just about everything but decided not to talk until 2. Then, it was like they always say, once they start, they talk talk talk. Lol! And now that she's three, I'm surprised at all that she can say, she seems so grown up and I absolutely can't believed I had worried so! My son is now 22 months old and can say quite a few words, he has his big sis to learn from. Also, this time around, I'm not on pins and kneedles about it, I know that he is doing very well. Like others that have posted, they really do learn sometimes one thing at a time, then backstep a little, and then all of a sudden, after mommy and daddy have worried and worried, they surprise you with learning something as if they just weren't ready before and just said, okay, I think I want to talk my parents ears off now!

My advice is similiar to everyone else's. All three of my boys were considered speech delayed. I would talk to your dr about your concerns. If, at 18 months, he still isn't saying much, call first steps. They will test him and give you some advice. If he does need speech therapy (it seems more like someone is playing with him for an hour and then giving you advice on how to engage him so he'll talk), then the earlier the better. I've also been told that at this age, it is more important that he understand what is being said to him. If you say, "see the bird in the tree" and he looks at the tree, he's probably in good shape. The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to just enjoy him. Most of the time, this stuff works itself out. Find out your options but don't let any fears you might have damper the enjoyment you get in just spending time enjoying your little boy's company.

There is no doubt that no two children are the same. I don't recall my son saying much at all at that age. I wouldn't worry about it, but you could certainly ask your pediatrician his/her opinion at your next check up. I am sure you're doing everything right! One bit of advise that I heard or read was to talk to your child as much as you can - having your son hear your voice and the words (regardless of what you're saying) is meant to be invaluable in their long-term development.

Giving him time is one of the best things you could probably do. Another is reading to him, showing him lots of pictures and asking him "what's this?" My first granddaughter, although she 'talked' alot, wasn't saying many words clearly till she was older, but the younger one, who is your son's age, because she has an older sister to imitate, says a few words very clearly, and some not so clearly. It varies from child to child, even with siblings. Talk to your pediatrician about it, but give it some time and trust your instincts if it continues too long.

Hi T.!

I wouldn't really worry, 15 months is early for an only child, let alone a boy to begin talking. I run a daycare and I have a boy who was about 16 months old (second child) when he began talking and I have a 22 month old boy (only child)that barely says hi. As long as you know your son can hear you than I wouldn't worry. If you are still concerned at his 18 month check up speak with your doctor.
TO encourage talking you should be reading him stories, singing songs and constantly talking to him.
Good Luck and don't worry!
J.

Hi T.,
My son was the same. He could say mom and dad but not much more until 18 months. Now at 21 months he will not stop talking. He repeats everything which just amazes us. I suggest reading and talking to him a lot. If you are really concerned, ask your pediatrician. But, I have a feeling that he is taking a lot in right now and will surprise you in a few months. Good luck!