My toddler is not talking yet!

Anitrah - posted on 09/16/2009

Go with your instincts. I was concerned about my sons speech when he was eighteen months. I followed my instincts and had his hearing tested and contacted the early intervention program in my county. The hearing test concluded that my son had fluid in his ears and was not able to hear clearly. Early intervention came to my home and played with my son and determined he was delayed in speech.
He is currently receiving speech therapy twice a week for 45 minutes. He has meet with the therapist a total of six times and I already see an improvement.
I am currently reading a book entitled "The late talker: What to do if your child is not talking"
While it is true that all kids develop at their own way if you are worried it is a problem, get him tested. Its free and available. Just think, what is the worst that can happen? Either they tell you he doesn't need it (and you can relax) or they tell you he needs it (he will get the helps he need)
I know I am all over the place but this is a topic that is very close to home. I wish I did not wait until my son was eighteen months. I wish I would have followed my gut six months earlier.
I hope my reply is useful.

Kelly - posted on 09/15/2009

By the looks of everyones reply most of everyones 07 baby hasn't fully started talking. I wouldn't stress. My daughter says a limited amount of "english" words, I am started to go back on if I really want her to talk considering her baby talk is NON-STOP!

Kimberly - posted on 09/13/2009

Thank you all for your responses. I am so glad I asked the question. I needed the advice of others and to hear what other parents are going through with their little ones.

Tina - posted on 09/13/2009

Shannon, I feel the same way. I just want my little guy to talk! Everyone says that he'll talk when he is ready but the waiting is killing me. It's stressful when he wants something and I can't figure it out. I think once he can talk we will all be happier :)

Shannon - posted on 09/13/2009

Thank you for asking this question and thank you to all of you for your answers. My youngest son turns 2 in November and doesn't say a word besides "doggy" I have a 4 year old that has literally been speaking since 5 or 6 mths and clearly I may add so I am "freaked out" that my baby doesn't talk. My husband and family feel that I am being too concerned over it. The audiologist said he passed his hearing test w/ flying colors and can hear most things adults cannot. The Pediatrician explains that he may have "older brother syndrome" ha ha I am a talker, my hubby is a talker, and our oldest son is a TALKER.... so I don't know. Our son certainly listens well and understands everything we tell him.... he puts his own shoes on, can walk to the car/garage/house/play yar...etc (he goes where I tell him) He waves goodbye and hello. He pretends to speak on a telephone, he puts his own dishes in the sink, etc etc.... I just wish he would TALK TO ME. Mentally he is fine, smart as a whip!! I just want him to talk to me and never ever shut up.... when will this happen???!!!

Regina - posted on 09/13/2009

All moms worry, its part of our job :) Your son could be just taking after your daughter. However, if not have him evaluated there are wonderful people to help. My son is in speach therapy. He also went to an ENT.

Jenny - posted on 09/12/2009

Hey girly! My DD was born two months early and even though she's taller than other kids her age, she says a whole lot less! Don't worry about it. When he starts, he'll never stop!

Kristina - posted on 09/11/2009

I wouldn't worry too much. My younger brother didn't talk till he was 5. He just wasn't interested in it. As long as you keep encouraging him to talk (reading books etc) your doing your part!! He'll talk when he's ready.

Haley - posted on 09/11/2009

Absolutely! believe it or not, my younger sister did not talk until she was almost 4. My mom always used to ask me..."Haley, what did your sister say?" Now she is 27 and we can not get her to shut up! Children will talk when they are ready! Don't worry about it until later down the road and he is still not talking!

SUSAN - posted on 09/10/2009

EVERY BABY TALKES AT THERE OWN TIME! JUST GIVE IT TIME. TIME IS THE KEY!! OR DID YOU GET YOU CHILDED HEARING CHECKED? THAT WOULD HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH TOO! THATS WHAT HAPPEND WITH MY LIL BRITHER AND IT WAS IS HEARING! NOT TO WORRY YOU THO! IT WILL BE OK : )

Danielle - posted on 09/10/2009

My son who will be two in November is not really talking either. We went through the same thing with my older son who is now ten. I can tell he is frustrated when he wants something and can't say what it is. My older son started speech therapy when he was 3 and he can talk just fine now. They make it fun for the little ones. He couldn't wait to go. What I do is when my son wants something, I point to my mouth and have him watch me say it. I have him try to repeat it. Even if he gets it wrong he is still trying and learning and that makes it a little easier. Usually the doctors evaluate hearing first and if that is okay, they will start your child on speech therapy. (We were on a waiting list for a couple of months and it was not cheap either! but definately worth it.) Once my older son started talking, we could not get him to stop! : ) Don't worry your son will talk eventually, but early intervention is a good idea!

Jennifer - posted on 09/09/2009

He makes it known what he wants, and he does say mama and sometimes beda (which is a bad rendition of my husbands name) he waves if others wave at him. But he doesn't respond to his name. which is a little annoying, but i'm not sure if it is because i call him nicknames sometimes.

Shannon - posted on 09/08/2009

I have a toddler who doesn't talk yet. My son has Asperger's and he didn't talk either. But there is a huge difference! My toddler definitely gets his point across without talking. He points and makes noises, sings, says no, and laughs when you understand him. If the gestures are there then I wouldn't worry!

Jennifer - posted on 09/08/2009

My son turns 2 in November and yeah, he also isn't talking the doctor said it wasn't autism. I think my son has a hearing problem but the doctor said the hearing test was fine. Maybe i should get him checked a second time? I don't know.

Tina - posted on 09/07/2009

My son is 22 months and isn't saying any words either. Our doctor suggested speech therapy but I just don't think that he would cooperate. I have tried teaching him some signing words to help us to communicate with him better but it doesn't seem to help. I definitately understand what you are going through.

Missi - posted on 09/06/2009

My son doesn't talk, but he very obviously understands and he does communicate in his own little ways. Does your son seem to understand what you are saying to him?

Barb - posted on 09/05/2009

my daughter isn't saying any words either that are "english". We joke that she speaks Russian. I am going to have birth-3 come out and evaluate her just to make sure but I have a feeling she is just very stubborn!

Athena - posted on 09/05/2009

If you are really worried, maybe you can get him assessed by a speech and lang therapist? Just for your own peace of mind? Or u can join the club, my daughter is not talking all that much either. Every animal is a "cat". Every toy is a "bear". I am a interchangeable "ma", "mare", "ma ma" etc. Ah well... she will get it soon enough...

Darice - posted on 09/05/2009

Don't worry about it some babies take a little more time to speak than others. For me from day one I always spoke to my daughter as if she was a little adult, even when she baby talked back. I would make it seem like we are having a conversation, she loved it! Also having face to face conversations with your child I've noticed that children look at your mouth when your speaking to try and say what your saying so try speaking slowly while having these conversations. I have tried this with my niece who wasn't speaking much and now it seems she has become more expressive and trying to speak more clearly. Also my mom said that reading to them helps as well to hear different words and how they can be used.



Good luck!