19 months old and not speaking.

Courtney - posted on 04/01/2011

something similar happened to my son and they are now evaluating him for autism....or perhaps a late bloomer?...i would bring this up to my pediatrician and maybe they can get birth to three involved or you can call them yourself and have him evaluated for their services

Tiffany - posted on 02/04/2011

Boys tend to develop a little slower. My son is the same exact way that you explain. LOTS of gibber but no concrete words. Our doctor suggested teaching him sign language which will help him make connections between words and objects and lessen his frustration. To be honest I probably won't teach him the sign language because I feel he will speak when he is ready. Otherwise, we were recommended reading books, which is great bonding and teaching of words:)

Laura - posted on 02/02/2011

I am in the same boat as you. The Ped's DR said that boys often are slow at talking and not be too worried but we are still having early intervention come into our home for an evalluation. I know when he does start talking we will wish he was a little more quiet. That day will come soon enough.

Margarita - posted on 01/26/2011

Hello, every baby is different give him some more time he will come around to it. Sometime it helps if you sit with him and read books. But I do believe he will be ok and to just give him time everything will work out.

Sandy - posted on 01/26/2011

My daughter talks all the time, but she has a brother who's almost 4 and we all talk to her all the time. In addition she's in "baby school" three days a week who all talk to her.



Now in speaking she has several words that can be understood, but more that are still her little baby conversation. Some take that "mommy" comprehension, but those I don't really count as her words yet. She's obsessed with Mickey Mouse, but she says Mi Mo or Mi Mow for him. She understands what he is or who he is, but can't say it. She does say things like Daddy, and Mommy really well and milk, cup, etc. I would have to sit down and figure out how many words she actually says, versus how many I understand as a mom.



She's 19 months old (6/19) and the words have been flying in the last 2-3 weeks more than they were before that.



It can depend on how much you talk to the baby, how much you engage in "conversation" (actually going back and forth), and if they are more advanced in other things. Some kids are more physical at that age too. If you haven't had the 18 month check up, ask the pediatrician when you go in, they can take a look and see. If you're seriously concerned and you have had the checkup call them and ask. There could be other issues affecting it, or it could be that your child would rather focus on something else like drawing or walking/running/climbing instead.



The other thing is do you make them use "words" to ask or just point. Obviously that's personal opinion, but we try to have our kids use words even if they aren't clear.



Is the comprehension there? Does your child understand "Pick up the toy" or simple directions? It may be a development delay, and if there is a serious concern then always ask. But each child has their own timeline to a degree.



I do have to say that the talking "exploded" over the Christmas break, before that it wasn't nearly as much and some days it's more than others. Some words are more clear than others.



According to baby center a toddler at 18 months should be able to speak about 5 words but understand more like 50.



EDIT: I re-read and your child in 19 months old, sorry the 5 word use is at 18 months.

Amber - posted on 01/26/2011

Don't worry. My son is 19 months old too and says about the same amount. Doc says he will talk when he wants to and to just talk my way through the day. By that I mean tell him whatever you are doing, holding, etc all day long everyday. Its helped my son he says a few new words. I hope I helped.

Tiffany - posted on 01/26/2011

My son is 19 months now, and doesn't say a whole lot either. Our ped isn't concerned especially since his big brother has a great vocab for a 4 yr old. She told me that it usually happens in families like that, that one of them will talk early and one late. I wouldn't be too concerned yet. Keep an eye out though.

Casey - posted on 01/25/2011

my 19 month girl dis not talk just mum and dad which she said all the time and my 6 year old son was the same i think they will do it in the own time.

Amy - posted on 01/25/2011

Kandace Landry - I find your post non supportive nor helpful at all. I think you were more bragging than anything and this is not the right place for that! I could brag too about my son but I am not going to because I feel it's completely inappropriate. Seriously, read your posting and see if it's helpful to anyone but yourself. I feel sorry for your 18 month son that's "not on top of it" and not meeting your expectations.

Melanie - posted on 01/24/2011

My son is 19 months and the pediatrician recommended that he be accessed for a developmental delay after his 18 month check up. He had the first screening the beginning of January. He borderlined having a delay because he has good receptive language skills (gestures, understands simple directions, points, etc). He is being accessed further on Thursday with a speech pathologist to see if he actually has a delay and needs intervention or not. He's getting frustrated because I don't always know what he's asking for. He currently says 7 words. In all other areas he is excelling, it's only with expressive language that he struggles. Good luck!

Melissa - posted on 01/24/2011

Every child learns in their own time. However I would go to the doctors and get his hearing checked. Sometimes when children don't talk or don't say much it's because they have some trouble with their hearing. If your doctor says his hearing is fine, then don't worry. He'll eventually start talking, and will just pick up/saying words that you never knew he could.

Teresa - posted on 01/24/2011

My son just turned 19 mnths and he doesnt talk much either he only says dad on his own when hes upset. Other words he might repeat. His doctor reffered me to a speech therapist just so I can be in peace not that he might need it she said. All kids are different and eventually if he can hear he will talk.

Gina - posted on 01/23/2011

My son also wasn't speaking and he had visit after visit to the doctor where he would have fluid in his ears, it wasn't bad enough for them to give antibiotics. We finially had a hearing test done and he ended up getting tubes in his ears. They said he had rubber cement like stuff stuck in both ears from all the fluid that was always stuck. I was really hesitant to do the surgery but now am so glad we decided to go ahead with it. In the two weeks since he had the surgery he has blossomed! He is saying so much now it still amazes me how much the tubes helped him hear so he could start speaking better. Everyone told me don't worry about it (including his pediatrician) but I am glad we pushed and looked into it further.

Stacie - posted on 01/23/2011

my daughter is 19 months - 6/20/09 - and only says "dada." some days we are very worried, and others feell she is just fine. she is hitting all the other milestones on time or early. we are going to wait until the 2 year mark to "worry."

Kandace - posted on 01/22/2011

my oldest son was speaking in 3 and 4 word sentences by 12 MONTHS! .... its almost unheard of my youngest son is not as on top of it. he is starting to come around now at 18 months but still doesnt speak nearly as well as his brother did at that age. each child is different. listen closely he may be saying more than u think! .... i was very surprised one day to notice that when i thought my son couldnt talk he was belting out TONS of stuff. 'bad dog' 'go bed' .... things we tend to say ALOT lol. Both my children are also FULLY bilingual. and my oldest was speaking in both languages at 12 months. i hope this helps. but with my oldest i was home for the full year and when he wanted up it was' up please mommy' or he didnt get to be picked up or for a bottle it was ' more please mommy/daddy' i insisted that he do it right or not at all and since we were teaching both languages i would always repeat what he said to me in french, when he had english mastered we moved to mastering the french. we are doing it more with my youngest now that im home for a few weeks and hes catching on FAST!

Sherelle - posted on 01/21/2011

My oldest had a speech delay but early intervention helped him. My 19 month old babbles but he doesn't say much you can understand. But he does understand and can repeat things. I'm waiting until he's 2 and see what happens by then. That was the age we sought intervention for my older son. But go with your gut if your concerned. Can't hurt to get them evaluated and get help early if they need it. My oldest is a xhatterbox with an extensive vocab for his age so we're glad we got the help.

Cindy - posted on 01/21/2011

Any of you guys that aren't meeting the milestones that they say your child should may want to look into early intervention. It actually, from the looks of it at our daycare, just involves learning through play. Plus, our state covers part of the daycare hours if your child qualifies which is going to help a lot with our bill. So, it doesn't harm your child and can help a lot with your budget.

Catherine - posted on 01/21/2011

My little girl has hi, bye, mama, dada, papa, up, uh-oh, and just recently hop. So, only 8, and she doesn't use all of them consistently. She mostly gestures for what she wants still. I think your child understanding language & communicating in there own way is at least as important as meeting some arbitrary language requirement.
Still, if your child doesn't seem to be picking up any new words at all, it may be something to look into, if only to find out how you can encourage language development.

Jessica - posted on 01/21/2011

No I wouldn't worry my youngest is 18 months old and talks baby gibberish unless you get him to say momma, dada. I really wouldn't worry unless he isn't even saying gibberish. My oldest is autistic and he didn't say anything at all not even gibberish until he was about 2 and then he would only tell you the make of cars like Honda, dodge, etc. Other than that he never really said anything. So as long as he is speaking gibberish i think he is on track besides I always tell people my 18 moth old speaks germanese lol.

Rachel - posted on 01/20/2011

He might be saying "words" but they won't necessarily sound crystal clear. For example, my son says "hat" but it sounds more like "tah". It takes a bit of "mommy translation" to understand.

Anitra - posted on 01/20/2011

my son is exactly the same. he says da and ma all the time and can say hi and bye if we say them first. all my son does is jabber all the time. i think it will come when they are ready, but i don't think my son will be a big talker, neither one of us (his parents) are.

Cindy - posted on 01/20/2011

Amanda, I would say so, at least I was told it should be words they say regularly. If she can say it every day I would think it counts.

Amanda - posted on 01/20/2011

So last night my daughter just started saying words and repeating them after me out of no where. But she wont say them on her own really. Like last night she started saying cow and moo moo and duck because we were playing with these block things with animals in them. So I guess that is considered talking even though I have to say it or ask her what it is for her to say it and talk. So is that considered in the amount of words she should be saying since she dont really say it on her own???

Cindy - posted on 01/20/2011

My son has a tendency to get ear infections and I believe that has delayed him a little bit. As far as this being a sign of your child's intelligence, I wouldn't worry. Because he wasn't saying 10 words at 18 months, my son qualified for early intervention, which I gladly accepted because anything could help and it cuts down on the cost of daycare in my state! Anyway, even I had to take speech in elementary school and I went on to become a college graduate. It didn't hold me back and I don't believe it would hold my son back either that he's a little behind. Every other skill he's mastering and fast. :) Just my opinion.

Holly - posted on 01/19/2011

My son is 19mos too and the ONLY thing he says is "mom." He used to say dada but he stopped. Now I hear "mom or mama" about 1000 mtimes a day. We started doing some baby sign language with him and he likes that. We also read to him tons, but he just won't talk. I don't know what the answer is, but our doctor is not concerned, just says that he is working on other things right now and will talk when he is ready.

Kelli - posted on 01/19/2011

my middle child was like that until we got the local school district envolved. They evaluated him and quickly enrolled him in speech therapy and it has worked wonders! I wouldn't wait to long to seek help from the local school district for evaluation.

Amanda - posted on 01/16/2011

My daughter will be 19 months old on the 30th and she also barely talks. She will only say names when she sees a picture or in person sometimes. She says Hi alot but that is about it. I am also worried about this but i have been told that every child is different and she may just have a later start with speaking. It just drive me nuts because she is really smart so you would think she would be talking more. I know she has starting saying a little more since she only has her binky/pacifier when she is sleeping and now that she dont walk around with it. Does your son use a paci? If so that could be it so just only let him have it if he is sleeping.

Erin - posted on 01/14/2011

My now 3 1/2 year old was just like that. We were so worried and even the Dr. was concerned. Shortly after she turned 2 she started saying more words. Now, she won't shut up! Seriously . . .she talks nonstop. So for some kids it just takes awhile.

Samantha - posted on 01/13/2011

Hi, my son is now 2-1/2 and my daughter is 1-1/2, when my son was 18 month he would not say a single word, I worried and tried to teach him by reading and talking all the time but he just wouldn't talk, then just after his 2nd birthday he just started jabbering sentences! I could pick out of his seemingly baby talk like 3 or 4 words and I realized his baby talk was actually real words that I couldn't understand, and now he still isn't very clear but I and most poeple close to him can understand almost everything he says, where-as my now 18 month old daughter says almost as much as her big brother does. So I would defiantly say each kid reaches things at thier own time, and girls do develop faster then boys, most boys I know are slower talkers then girls. Just keep talking and reading and pointing things out then one day your son will turn around and say to you " Mom, look at that big Truck!" I nearly fell over when my son blurted that out when I thought him unable to speak.

CHERYL - posted on 01/13/2011

hi i really wouldnt worry. i have 18m old twins and the girl says everything but not in sentances.the boy is catching up but has always been the active/exploring one. but my nephew is 22m and never said anything except mum dada untill afew weeks ago now he is saying more words everytime i see him.it did just happen.she was worried and took him to a h.v when he was 15m and she said not to worry but contact her if he wasnt saying anything by 2yr.but he does understand what is said to him. also i think girls are more verbal anyway. do u read to him and if you are taking him for a walk point out 'look at the trees' ect.im sure he will start soon as all kids are differant