Hi Moms! My son will be 17 months in 10 days and he still doesn't really say anything. He babbles a lot, dadadadada and a lot of vowel sounds but he really isn't contecting dada with the dadadadada. He waives hi and bye to people but won't say the words. He is really good about doing the things that I ask him to so I know that he understands what I am saying. I just that I am just worried! So, I was just wondering what is the normal age for children to start talking?
Hello!
My son also was a delayed speaker. The doctor kept threatening speech therapy, but when the deadline came, he spoke. He didn't really start talking until his 2nd birthday. Now he'll be 3 years old next month and sometimes we wished he'd talk a little less! Nothing to panic about at 17 months. He has plenty of time. It will happen all of a sudden and then his vocabbulary will just explode and you won't believe what will come out of his mouth! Hang in there!
Alison
I have two boys: 3 years and 20 months. The older wasnt talking at nearly 27 months of age and I was thinking about speech therapy. My Husband and I put him into a daycare/preschool two mornings a week(very tough decision for us) just to see if that would help. Within the first month, he was talking like crazy. I think WE knew what he was saying with his body language so he didnt feel the need to say the words. When he went outside our home, he needed to communicate verbally in order for others to understand him. Also, he heard others his age talking and wanted to do the same.
My younger boy(20 months)has his own "language." We really have to listen to figure it out and Big Brother usually helps translate. For instance, he always uses the same noise for "thank you." He also does animal sounds rather than their names. I think, just my opinion, boys can be a bit more laid back and dont really feel the need to start talking. They would rather be curious and get into things. Take care. I hope this helps. Enjoy your boy, your pugs, and your family. I know life is crazy, being a working mom.
Roberta
I am no expert but a friend of mine took her 14 month old daughter into the doctor and the doctor said that if in a few months she was not yet saying a few words that the doctor would be concerned. I think the best thing to do would to be consult with your doctor. My son is 17 months and started talking early so it's hard for me to gauge, but it took him the longest time to get down clapping for instance. I don't think you should be overly concerned but it is great if you are proactive. If there is something wrong you want to know so you can fix it as soon as possible and if there isn't something wrong you want to know so you can stop worrying.
This is still normal. Many kids don't start talking until 2 to 2 1/2 years. Nevertheless, it is good to continue to work with him. When I see these kids in my clinic, I make sure and do hearing testing. In addition, I do further developmental testing at 18 months. It is important to know if he is making all his motor milestones and to know how well he socializes. If I have any concerns, I would have him then see a developmental specialist.
Jenna Timm, MD
My son is 17 1/2 months and only says dada and mama. I am not the least bit worried nor should you. If they were 2 and had this vocabulary then I would approach a specialist. I have a 4 year old daughter so I know any day more words will come and it will domino. Be patient.
Hi Kristin,
I have 2 girls 5 yrs. and 21 mo., my first started talking relatively early so I was also concerned when my second one was really only saying daddy at 15 months. Her pediatrician assured me that it is normal. After she turned 19 mo. she really began repeating words that she heard. I have come to realize that she is more of an observer whereas my first daughter loves to talk about everything. All kids are different and will do things at different times. Try not to be too concerned.
Kristine
I would mention your concerns to his doctor at his 18 month checkup. But that it usuaaly ok and normal. Not all 16 month olds are talking yet. Does he make eye contact, point to things to show or share interest? Does he have any repetive behavior, insistance on sameness, or like to line things up, any loss of words? If not you should be ok but still mention it to his docotr and make sure that by the time he is 2 yrs old he can put two or more words together. My son was diagnosed with Autism at 2 yrs old and my doctor kept telling me that everthing was fine and not to worry when infact it wasn't.
My 5 year old actually didn't talk until he was 2. Your 16 year old is actually doing more than what my son did. My son screamed. He understood everything and was sooo intellectual, but just couldn't speak. I had him watch LeapFrog, Letters and Talking Word Factory. He wasn't interested at first, but then started watching it and watching it. That seemed to help him talk. That may not be the best suggestion though. My youngest of 4, is 20 months old right now. Adjusted age is about almost 18 months old. He doesn't speak either, just babbles. He's a preemie of 2 1/2 months early. Because he was so early, he is part of a program that helps him developmentally. One of the speech therapists gave me a bunch of suggestions. When he picks things up, look at it and call it what it is. For example, he picks up a ball. Look at him with amazement in your face and voice, say "Ball!" Don't keep saying, "What's that, a ball?" The reason being is because it's too many words for them to grasp sometimes, it's foreign. But keep talking to him. When getting him ready, say, "Okay shoes". Hand the shoe to him, then ask for it back. Then give it back to him, then ask for the shoe back. Do the back and forth thing as a game. It's to reinforce what it is, but for him to copy you. Then once you copy him more, he'll think it's fun. Then he'll copy you with what you say. Get a hat, put it on your head. Then put it on his head...do that back and forth. Go get a pan in the kitchen and a wooden spoon. Turn it over and tap on it. Then show him to do it. Then you do it, switch. It's roleplaying, repetitiveness, and copying each other-->plus you're interacting and having fun with your child. I have 4 children, so it doesn't ever get boring! Another suggestion, get his ears checked by his pediatrician. If your pediatrician says his eyes look fine, see if you can ask for a hearing test just to make you more comfortable. My coworker has a daughter that wasn't talking at 18 months. The pedi said her ears looked fine, but they insisted on a hearing test. They got one, and it ended up she had some fluid in her ears that you couldn't really detect or see. So, they put tubes in her ear temporarily and then she started talking. Don't get too wrapped up with concern though because he's only 16 months. All kids have a different pace, but try some of the things above and talk to your pediatrician. By the way, what is an Educational Travel Specialist?
I think that as long as he understands "direction" he will be fine. They say boys begin to speak later than little girls. My son is also 17 mos. and can repeat some words but he understands direction really well. We also use sign language which is very helpful because he can "Tell" me what he wants and this avoids a lot of frustation on both sides.
HI there. My son Bodie is the exact same age and has the same vocabulary as Aiden. He is my 3rd and my other 2 could talk very well by this age. Bodie has a very developed sense of hummar, is advanced physically, and understands almost everything. They all just develop differently:)
I have been showing Bodie more baby signs lately and he has been learning each new sign instantly!!
Hello Kristin,
I just wanted to say you are not alone! My daughter is sixteen months old and can not say words or connect them either! Not only that she can't walk yet! So I am really worried and anxious! It is driving me crazy! I can't help but feel that I am doing something wrong! I believe I read somewhere that if they are not walking or talking by 18 months then it would be time to worry! But I am realizing that things I read are not necessarily true so I just let me doctor know! I feel for you and you are not alone at all!
Melissa
I was in the same boat with my second son just a few months ago. My older son, who is 4, had a few words by 16 months, so I was a little concerned about #2. I talked to a speech therapist and she suggested that I take him to Regional Center to have him assessed since he was only babbling. She said something might be wrong and got me a little freaked out. However, I decided I would just wait a few more months, and if nothing happended, then I'd go. Well, by 20 months the little guy was saying single words. By 24 months he could mimick pretty much anything we'd say to him, and now, at 26 months, he speaks in 3-5 word sentences much of the time, and has a really large vocabulary. He has surpassed whenre his older brother was at this stage. What I learned is that they all develop at their own pace. Don't worry, just wait and see what happens, at least for a few more months. Good luck!
Speech milestones established by the National Institutes of Health are located at http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/speechandlanguage.asp
12 to 17 months
Attends to a book or toy for about two minutes.
Follows simple directions accompanied by gestures.
Answers simple questions nonverbally.
Points to objects, pictures, and family members.
Says two to three words to label a person or object (pronunciation may not be clear)
Tries to imitate simple words.
18 to 23 months
Enjoys being read to.
Follows simple commands without gestures.
Points to simple body parts such as "nose."
Understands simple verbs such as "eat," "sleep."
Correctly pronounces most vowels and n, m, p, h, especially in the beginning of syllables and short words. Also begins to use other speech sounds.
Says 8 to 10 words (pronunciation may still be unclear).
Asks for common foods by name.
I work at an ear clinic, we always recommend ruling out hearing impairment as the source of speech delays
Try not to worry, this is totally normal. My oldest (who is now 13 and never stops talking) simply did not have a lot he wanted to say before his second birthday, though he always got his point across. One of the most helpful articles I ever read said that a child can only focus on one Major milestone at a time. So while yours may not be too chatty, he may be fine tuning his large or small motor skills. My son liked to take apart his baby furniture and figure out how all his toys were put together. Kids chose what interests them at that time. Remember there is a wide range of normal development and celebrate what your son IS into right now, the talking will happen soon enough I promise!
Hi Kristin,
My son (now almost 8) didn't start really talking until he hit his 2nd birthday. I used to think something was wrong with him because he could understand what I was saying, but...his doctor told me that he would talk when he was ready and not to worry about it. Within 2 weeks of turning 2 he was jabbering away and still hasn't stopped.
Hi there.
My friends son was the same. It turned out that he had alot of wax in his ears and as soon as the doctor fixed that the talking started.
The average age for a child to begin talking with 1-2 words is between the ages of 12-24 months. At this time, children begin imitating their caregivers one word models and have an ecpressive vocabulary of 3-20 words they use often (these are mostly nouns). If you are concerned with your child's speech and language development you could see your pediatrician and he/she can make an appropriate referral for an evaluation if necessary.
Hi Kristin,
I would not be too worried. My son will be 2 at the end of the month and still does not say much of anything. We try to teach him new words but he just does not seem interested in learning them. In time he will realize how much easier things will be when he talks so just give him some time. Every child is different,my first son was speaking in paragraphs by the time he was two so of course I expected the same with my second. It did not happen. Sometimes I think it is a blessing because my oldest talks enough for the both of them. LOL! Enjoy the quiet time while you have it. When he is ready he will amaze you with the things he will be able to say.
Cecilia
Hi Kristin,
The most important thing to observe is your son's affect. He sounds deliciously happy. Language is a complicated thing; many educators speak of how our langauge in these times takes us away from our connection with ourselves. Indeed many therapies teach us to make sounds and movements that more closely approximate what we are experiencing within, to be how we were as babes. Many children who wait to speak are really taking things in deeply. They are delighting in the experience of being here. I will give you one example. A friend of mine who is a professor at UC Berkeley is a writer, a novelist. He waited until he was almost 4 to really start talking. He has described his experience to me of being in awe with the all of it has a child. He now can write the dream scapes. If your son wants help he will let you know. If he seems happy, then trust his inner wisdom. Don't worry, delight in him.