Worried that my 20 month old son is not saying many words

Yvonne - posted on 09/13/2011

They boys take there time..If you've checked with Doctor and hearing is fine, and hopefully no other problems, enjoy the silence, when they start they dont stop...lol

Tia - posted on 08/31/2011

just keep talking to her and pointing at things and explain what they are. my son says mama, grandma, grandpa, tia [my name lmao he calls me mama when he wanna be nice] and some animals, but thats really because i have a speech therapist and an iep teacher to help me once a week. just talk to her and help her say words, she will say them

Michelle - posted on 07/22/2011

My daughter wasn't talking in sentences at age 3 1/2, and we took her to a speech therapist. Her problem? We--me, and my mom---weren't 'making' her talk. We knew what she wanted or needed and gave it to her before she asked..or we wouldn't make her ask. We talked to her like she was a grownup, but didn't let her talk back. In the end, the therapist had us enroll her in preschool...'put her with kids her own age, and she will catch up."
Boy, did she. She hasn't shut up in the past 11 years. LOL!

Vicki - posted on 07/16/2011

I'm sorry I can't read all posts right now but to the "um I'd worry" do you think that maybe there might be a more positive way to word this?!

gotta say at 20 months (I work in childcare) I've seen kids all over the map with language. as are my twins at 20 months. if you're son is comprehending what you are saying and responding in ways that you understand he is communicating and the language will burst when he is ready. jsut keep on speaking lots and reading and talking and responding and it will come. if there are no other things that concern you ( and keep in mind behavioural can play a factor if he is trying to communicate with you and you aren't sure what he wants then he may be frustrated and behaving as such) then I would NOT be worried. as you yourself said...you're daughter didn't speak until she was 3 and she suddenly did in complete sentences.

oh...jsut saw you said what else can I do to widen his vocab...when he points to something label it for him...oh did you want your watr...yes that is a _____. and forget about phonics or flashcards or whatever 'programs' are out there. more harm than good. as with your daughter I'd figure you knew what youw ere doing then and being experienced with 2 before this child you probably know what you are doing now!

Ellen - posted on 07/12/2011

talk to his dr. Also when hes three and still not talking go to board of ed to get him in preschool and a speech teacher.

ANDREA - posted on 06/12/2011

Im having a similar problem with my son. He was born premature at 28 weeks. He has had a rough start. Now he's going on 2 in July and he hasn't spoken any words. He's very observant but sometimes he seems off in his own world and has very lil eye contact. He also doesnt indicate wants should I be concerned about that as well? I do think its a problem with his hearing but we havent gotten the results from his test yet to be sure. What are ways that I can get my son to communicate what he wants cause all he seems to do is cry when he wants & when we ask him to tell us (his dad & I) he just cries louder.

Nicole - posted on 02/09/2011

i'de liek to say dont worry about it, but i think that would begin to worry me too. i dont think its serious but always good to be cautious.
my SIL had this with their son, he was over two and barely said a word. babbled and showed what he wanted. but didn't talk clearly or in sentences.
she took him to the doc who advised a hearing test which came back that he was partially deaf because of too much earwax and they advised her to have grommets inserted. after that he was still very she but communicated with the family beautifully because he could actually hear them clearly and could make out the details in the pronunciation of the words.

Ashleeyyyy - posted on 07/18/2010

my son is the same way he says basics! but he hasnt picked up on a lot and at this I talk to him everyday and try I am sure they will pick up on their own pace every child learns diffrent. =) also what everyone else has said was very helpful for me thank you for your post =)

Emily - posted on 04/09/2010

My daughter didn't talk till she was almost three. We figured out that she couldn't get a word in because her older sister was such a chatter box. Now she's six and I can't get a word in. LOL

Nakisha - posted on 04/06/2010

my son was over two and wouldnt say a complete sentences. I started making him tell me what he wants before he got it and now hes 4 and doesnt hush.

Erin - posted on 04/04/2010

don' t let people talk "baby talk" to him....how is a child going to learn proper language that way? same w/ babies... u should only change your tone/pitch.....not your vocab.
I have 4 kids that was one of my pet peeves.

Reina - posted on 04/03/2010

Patience. Every child speaks in their own time. When my daughter wasn't speaking at 2 I took her to the pediatrician because "everyone" said she should be speaking. He said "forget everyone!" "If she's not talking when she's 3, bring her in." My daughter spokes in full sentences when she was ready - around 2 1/2. My son said lots of little words much earlier. Who knew. Try not to worry. They're all on their own schedule.

Brittnee - posted on 03/29/2010

Hey, My son was the same way. He barely said many reconizable words. But Lo and behold right after his 2nd birthday he started saying words that I didnt even know he had ever heard and soon to follow was tons of sentences... so hang in there they all go at their own pace more or less.

Kristen - posted on 03/27/2010

Ummm...I'd worry. You are your child's only advocate. It's better to take care of problems sooner than later.

Kristen - posted on 03/27/2010

My 2 and a half year-old son has autism. 1 in 53 boys has autism (that's A LOT). You need to read up on it--please know what to look for. Start reading some of Jenny McCarthy's books--very informative. That is the only way I knew what to look for to get the diagnosis, so start right now with your research. Take any symptoms/signs that he has and report them to a doctor and ask to see a developmental pediatrician no matter what. You need to know if he's developing well. Not saying that he'll have it, but the incidence in boys is really high. Let us know how he's doing.

Pamela - posted on 03/26/2010

P.S he sounds like he is doing everything within normal developmental guidelines all children develop at different stages so i wouldn't worry yet!

Pamela - posted on 03/26/2010

tell him everything that you are doing eg i'm getting the milk from the fridge i feel like a cup of tea, Ask questions can you tell me where the sugar is? always give him a chance to responed and praise any effort no matter how small. You will feel silly at 1st talking about everything and anything but it really helps. My little girl talks really well know and because of this!

Armanda - posted on 03/20/2010

If you are concerned, talk to the pediatrician, they might refer you to an early intervention program. My son has a speech delay, and one of the things the therapist said to do was read alot of repetitive books, pattern books, and nursery rhymes. Also, if your local library has a story time, sign him up for it. Blowing bubbles, and using crazy straws can also help build up muscles needed to make certain sounds. Hope this helps.

Sabrina - posted on 03/20/2010

My youngest son didn't talk either until he was over 24 months old. He just didn't have much to say or he was able to get what he wanted across to us. I was also worried but the doctor assured me that he would talk when he was ready. We just went through books with him and talked to him a lot. He did the same thing as your daughter and talked in complete sentences.