My 22 month old not talking

Sarah - posted on 07/13/2012

My daughter barely said a word until she was three. She just turned four the other day, and she talks in full sentences using some big words now. She can even count to 100 with no help. Doctors, books and websites may say to be concerned sooner than the age that she was, but there is nothing to worry about. Babbling is good. He's communicating in his own way for now, and when he decides he is ready to talk, he will surprise you!

Nancy - posted on 07/12/2012

don't worry! boys do not talk at this age, unless they really truly have to! i have 3 boys, by 3 yr old your boy will be a-mile-a-minute talker.... right now, he is STUDYING other people's speech!

Kelly - posted on 07/12/2012

My son is 22months and he's just saying little words like mommy daddy stink hot he's calling my sister's name shantell but thats about it a friend little girl she's saying everything under the sun!! am scared

Nancy - posted on 11/15/2011

do not worry.... boys are quiet almost forever... take my brother for an example, he talked only when he was required to until he was 22 years old.... my son stayed quiet until he went to pre-school at age 4yrs old... do not worry! this is how most boys are!... i have 2 daughters and 3 sons... i know what goes on there! peace!

Alyssa - posted on 11/15/2011

My son is 20 months and we get Birth to 3 for speech/OT/PT/And a special education teacher.. We have therapy 4 times a week.. He just started babbling, but my little guy also had a rough start and has hearing loss along with severe reflux and sensory processing/integration disorder. I used to be a teacher and new right away something was not right! I started getting him help around 9 months and this week we are going for 2nd hearing eval as to decide course of treatment! As a mother you know.. Go with your gut! But birth to 3 is amazing and it will not hurt to just call and get eval if you feel somethings not right.. But all kids develope at there own pace and I am sure your little guy will talk when he is nice and ready! Good Luck!

Angel - posted on 06/12/2010

My son is two years old next month and he only says a few words, we speak two languages so I think this might be a factor, but I try not to worry about these things as I think that every child has their own pace of development.Sometimes I find that in this western society they are quick to diagnose children with 'medical abnormalities' so what if my son speaks less, does it make him autistic?? he hears when I give him instructions and he can count from 1-10 and say about five words in total, but if someone asked him to count or speak he would deliberately not speak. I really wouldn't worry too much about it, just enjoy teaching him new things he will speak when he is ready. Don't let people scare you that it is abnormal, enjoy your baby and he will catch up at his own pace..

Savannah - posted on 06/11/2010

I am in the me boat. I am going to request to be added to your circle to see how it works out for you.

JENNIFER - posted on 06/11/2010

my daughters not talking either so in march i had her start early intervention program where the speech teacher comes to the house

Savannah - posted on 06/10/2010

My little girl is 23 months and she does the same.

Therese - posted on 06/09/2010

Hi Amia, we are in the same situation but my son is nearly two and no signs of words. I put down partly to he is learning two languages and we also havent started him in daycare yet. The doctor is concerned about his hearing so is going to check it next week but I dont think its that as he understands and follows instructions in both languages. I think its partly to do with some children develop different skills first and also the social aspect if they see and hear other children talking they will try to copy.

Melanie - posted on 06/09/2010

I just saw a speach therapist for my daughter and she is a 22months who also uses signs, they told me she should be using a combination of 50 words and signs by the time she is 2 or she needs to see a speech therapist. So I started writing down every one she uses and she has 31 words and 9 signs she uses regularly. I thought it was much less untill I wrote them down. The therapist also gave me some pointers to help my daughter. She told me to slow down and articulate my words pausing between each word so my daughter could here each word, they told me to mimic every sound she makes so she will learn to mimic us and she told me to tell my daughter what everything is and what people are doing. like sitting or eating or hat or car and so forth. Your child should be stringing a couple words together here and there soon too. Good luck!

Charina - posted on 06/09/2010

hi Amia! we have also same case.. my baby is also 22 months old but not yet talking.. so, her pedia requires her to enroll in school.

Tracy - posted on 06/08/2010

I would talk to your pediatrician just to ease your mind. While chances are, he's completely fine and just hasn't "found" his words yet, there is the chance that something could be wrong. I was always with the thought that they will eventually just start talking and no need to worry. My nephew is now 3 1/2 and still does not talk; he tries to talk, but has a really hard time forming words. The doctors found that he was tongue tied and had to clip his tongue. While that helped some, he still has difficulty forming words. He has undergone many tests and evaluations, but they can't seem to find anything wrong. What had us concerned is that he is really trying to talk and gets very frustrated when you don't understand him. Does it seem like he is trying to talk to you or does he seem uninterested in "real" words? If he's trying to talk, I would talk to your pediatrician, if not, then maybe he's just not ready yet. All kids develop at their own pace and it's so hard to determine when it's time to worry and when there's nothing to worry about. He's your son and you know him best. Do what you feel in your hear.

Cloie - posted on 06/08/2010

I am having the same issue with my daughter. She is the youngest of 4, but doesnt talk. What she does say is garbled, so i said something to her doctor. He sent us for a hearing test, and speech evaluations. We have done the hearing test, and they were worried enough to tell us to come back in 3 months.
I havent been able to get in with speech yet, but working on it.
My daughter does understand everything you tell her, and she tried to talk, but you cant understand her.
Talk to your doctor, and see what they have to say.

Mamatha - posted on 06/08/2010

My son is just about the same age as your Amia, he is very active and plays by himself. Being working parents we have had to compromise on the quality time we spend with him. He is either playing by himself or watching cartoon on TV...he tends to utter few words clearly but we rarely hear him associate any words to actions or things around. I have heard this from a lot of friends and family as well that its OK. Just observe if he can understand when you ask him to do things like "sit here", "get me your the sipper"...as long as they are picking up what we are talking I think it’s just a matter of time they start to use them. try a play school with other children I believe that helps a lot :-) .....just for your satisfaction have a word with his pediatrician

Samantha - posted on 06/07/2010

I can share what they do with the kids (the therapist) they have my daughter do shape puzzles and repeat to her what each shape is again and again. They work one word at a time with her.

Becky - posted on 06/07/2010

My son is 23 months and he isn't talking either he knows maybe 6 words The advice I was given was to keep reading to him and to keep talking to him so I am hoping that he will talk soon. I hope this is helpful. Happy Mothering

Samantha - posted on 06/07/2010

My daughter will be 2 in July. She says approx. 10 words clear. She doesnt speak much more. She follows demands great. just doesnt speak. My daughter qualifies for a free program to get assistance with a speech therapist! Your local WIC or health department should be able to refer you in the right direction. Hope it helps!

NIKKI - posted on 06/06/2010

I can totally relate to you and I feel your anxiety about it. My daughter was doing the same thing and I didnt understand because my son was the opposite. He was using two syllable words very early on and the doctors were amazed. She was not really saying anything and we started using the Your Baby Can Read program and she started repeating the words and now she will say the words if prompted. We keep going to the different stages and she does not just start talking, but she will say the word and point to it if you ask her. This let me know she is fully capable and she will speak more and more. Try hard to stay positive and not get frustrated or over anxious. I am sure he will be fine. We all go at our own pace:)

Jessica - posted on 06/05/2010

It is probably nothing to worry about but I would talk to the doctor at his two year check-up. My oldest daughter did not speak at that age and we went to Early Intervention (great program). They thought she had Austim but the problem was she couldn't filter sound. She heard everything--my voice, the buzz of the electricty, cars going by, birds chirping, televsion--all at the same level. Everything was a blur of noise to her. A hearing device and speech therapy helped. She is now 11 years old, no longer in speech therapy, and no longer wears the hearing device. She got her report card and made straight A's. Speech delay has nothing to do with their intelligence. Eisten didn't speak until he was 3!

Sara - posted on 06/05/2010

I don't think it is anything to be concerned about. Try to be patient, smile, and reward him by clapping and making it a big deal whenever he does start to say a word correctly! My son speaks in cling-on and it seems like only me and his father know what he is saying. Everyone looks at us and says, "What did he say?" Boys are usually farther ahead then girls on knowing how to figure things out and girls talk a lot earlier then boys. Makes sense to me ;)

Nancy - posted on 06/05/2010

Do not worry, boys tend to be quiet for a looong time... My brother was a boy of very few words.. until he became a high school teacher at age 23...Never underestimate silence in babies; they might be a lot smarter than us, adults.

Naomi - posted on 06/05/2010

My son is 22 months too and wasn't talking and his dad & i was worried until less than a week ago. now he's saying everything he sees. so be patient. One thing i have learned is you can't compare two kids the same age, so just keep saying everything you see with him ( car, road, truck etc.) and colors and he will amaze you.

"The 1st year you can't wait for them to walk and talk and every year after you spend your life tellin 'em sit down and shut up."

Susan - posted on 06/04/2010

i have the same exact thing - 22 mo old who won't talk. but i agree with several comments from above: first, take out the pacifier as much as possible, second talk to him as much as possible, third try giving him direct commands like "put this in the bucket" and "point to the nose" and see if he understands what ur saying. mine does understand, just doesn't want to talk. he sure does whine really well tho, LOL. = ) Good luck to both of us!!

Laura - posted on 06/04/2010

My son is tha same way, he has the first sound of a lot of words but not much else... the therapist said that if at three a stranger can't understand what he's saying then i't time to worry (or be concerned)...

Carla - posted on 06/04/2010

My son just recently started speech therapy for the same problem. He says a few things but mostly does a whine kind of thing when he wants something. He understands everything that he is told so we are not to concerned and the speech therapist is not concerned either. She said he just needs a little push to get going then he will be fine. It was my idea to put him in speech b/c of his lack of talking but he does have a 5yr old sister that talks for him so this may be a big part of the problem. I wouldnt worry, talk to your doctor and see what they suggest, speech therapy may be the extra push your baby needs. Its more like making sounds more than verbalizing that the therapist is working on with my son now and it seems to be working. If he understands everything you tell him dont worry, he'll pick it up soon. Good Luck!!!!

Rachel - posted on 06/03/2010

My 22month is the same. She has an older brother who understands her demands and gets things straight away. Plus she is at home with me and doesn't have to fight to make herself understood. I'm not worried. Grace understands everything i ask her to do and when she does start speaking I know it'll never stop!!

Hilary - posted on 06/03/2010

Does he have his own words for things--as long as he is labeling things as something that is talking...apple doesn't have to sound like apple, etc. All in all, don't worry about it. I have three children and they all didn't really start talking until they were 2 yrs old.

Angie - posted on 06/03/2010

I just wanted to back up the person who said take away the pacifier. That is exactly what we did. My son 'babbled' and then one day he took his pacifier out to eat and I snuck it away. He didn't notice and literally by the end of that day he was saying upwards of 20 words that we hadn't heard him say before. So, I think they know them, but it doesn't come out well because of the binky being in the way.

Ashley - posted on 06/03/2010

My son also doesn't say very many words.. Under 15 and we're currently in a Birth to 3 program with a Speech Pathologist and Developmental Consultant and Occupational Therapist. My son is also hypersensitive. When I was concerned about his speech my family doctor sent me to a Pediatrician who then forwarded me on to the Birth to 3 program.

Shana - posted on 06/02/2010

also too as a mom to 2 boys and a girl ..boys do tend to be much less social and talkative. This of course is a general statement. His cognative, or his ability to understand directions and things told to him, is only one part of the speech equasion. He should be checked to make sure there is not a physical reason, or like in my case a 'social' reason for not speaking. (mommy was meeting all his needs before he had to ask) Talk to his dr and express you concern. sorry to ramble :)

Shana - posted on 06/02/2010

You may want to have him evaluated for a speech delay , if thats available in your area. In my state its called early intervention, i had both my boys evaluated at abou this age cause they weren't speaking much, they both fell within the "normal" limits but on the lower end, it was really helpful, because the evaluators gave me some great tips on how to encourage them to speak. Being a SAHM I just wasn't requiring it of them. But little things like asking them to choose if they want milk or juice. Asking questions that require more than a yes or no. Using flashcards to introduce words. ANd make sure you make a list of the words he is saying by now..he may be saying more than you think. When the evaluator was at my house my one son said "outside" as if it was nothing, I swear i had never heard him say that before, and she had just asked if he used any 2 syllible words and i sadi "no" . LOL kids. Check it out, totally worth it and really pain free shouldn't cost anything and they evaluators are great!
PS just one more thing.. if there is a real reason he's not speaking its so much better to know now and get working on it before it affects his school years :) God bless and best wishes :)

Amy - posted on 06/02/2010

I hate to add fear but my nephew was not talking much at his 2 year check up and he was diagnosed with mild autism soon thereafter. Turns out he had other symptoms that were more difficult to recognize: did not laugh or smile often, very slight motor delays (did not walk until 15 or 16 months), and avoided eye contact to some degree. He was evaluated at age 2 and qualified for a special no cost state-sponsored school for children with autism for 6 hours per day with free bus too and from his house. Teacher ratios are something like 2:1 and he loves school. Starting these programs for children with autism can have a huge impact on later social and verbal skills. May be worth reading about autism to see if he has some other symptoms and/or bringing him to a pediatrician.

Dee - posted on 06/01/2010

Its different for all kids. If you talk to your son. Tell him what clothes your putting on him exp we r putting on your pants then your shirt, and then you socks and shoes. Do that with everything. Eating playing, getting ready for bed. Talk to him about the things around him the colors sizes, and shapes. But talk to your doctor if thing to progress..

Stephanie - posted on 06/01/2010

I wouldn't worry since he understands what you're saying and can follow basic commands. My son is the same way except he is stubborn and wants to talk when HE WANTS to talk. He still babbles his own language as well as says words.

Emily - posted on 06/01/2010

Does your child have a pacifier or binky? if so try taking that out, we got rid of the de-dee as my son called it around 18 months and his speech took off.

Deanna - posted on 06/01/2010

My daughter does the same thing. She is just starting to repeat words that you say. Does he understand what you are saying? Turn to you when you say his name? If he does, then there is nothing to worry about.

Hannah - posted on 05/31/2010

The drs were a bit worried about my little boy not talking but that was because he wouldnt follow commands and instructions think if the understanding is there I wouldnt worry one day he will just start talking !! LOL xxxx

Amia - posted on 05/31/2010

oh yeah...very aware lol

Hannah - posted on 05/31/2010

Whats his understanding like? if u ask him something does he understand? h x

Amia - posted on 05/29/2010

thanks so much fellow mommies but my son's not saying any clear words, i'm trying not to worry. Hopefully soon he will be babbling my head off :)...i'll keep you guys posted....lol

Amber - posted on 05/29/2010

my mom is a speech pathologist and she says that if there is a program like birth to three around you that would be a start they will be able to help keep him on track and help stimulate him to start talking

Nicole - posted on 05/28/2010

As long as his pediatrician is okay with his progress, I wouldn't worry too much. Some kids just take longer to start verbalizing - maybe he's absorbing everything around him and he'll just start spitting out word after word one day. My daughter goes through spurts of not saying anything new, then blurts out 5-10 new words/phrases in one day. :) If you're really concerned, check with his doctor, but he's probably fine!

Tracy - posted on 05/28/2010

my son is also 22month and he is saying a variety of words but not putting them together yet i am also concerned but everyone telling me he will do it when he is ready so i would wait i know its easier said than done as i also worry constantly about his weight just hold fire i am sure it will come