15 months and not talking

Nelda - posted on 02/03/2012

Hello Jennifer,

I have 5 1/2 years old boy with heart defect and had multiple heart surgeries too. He is now five years old and still not talking. When he was at 2 he started talking, but then he had another heart surgery and stayed in the hospital for almost two month and that draw him back and we were back to square one. Right now he is learning sign language. Your son still have time to learn to talk. Even normal boy they start talking maybe around 2- 3 years old. If you are concern maybe your pediatrician can refer you to a speech therapist or so. I hope this helps.

Madeline - posted on 02/03/2012

It is doubtful that the surgery would have anything to do with his verbal ability. I wouldn't worry about it...I have two gifted grandchildren and neither one talked until he or she was 2 and then it just flowed...sentences came quickly...don't stress over it. In the meantime continue to stimulate with making sure he understands...receptive language is first...the child must show that he/she understands what and where the TABLE is and KITTY, etc...attach words to each item and talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, about everything that you are doing. It will come.

Diana - posted on 04/22/2011

Early intervention is so important with children who are experiencing problems. When my children were young, we too the wait and see approach. My son was seriously delayed in his speech and could have benefited from the intervention. If there are any Speech Pathology (Communication Sciences and Disorders) programs at any local colleges, they generally have programs where they evaluate a child to determine if there is a problem. I took my granddaughter for her checkup and was extremely concerned about her delayed speech. When I asked the pediatrician about the delay his comment was "Well, she should be saying about 10 words now (she was saying 2-3 words). I told him she should have at least a 20 word vocabulary and she should be trying to put words together which she was not.

It sure won't hurt to have him evaluated and it may well help him tremendously.

Trisha - posted on 04/22/2011

My son didn't talk either. The pediatrician had him evaluated be early intervention, just to see and he got services. All free. Now he is 8 and doesn't shut up:)

Renee' - posted on 04/21/2011

How is his hearing? Does he respond when there is noise or you say his name or something like that. My grand daughter couldn't talk very good and she was 2 yrs. old and as soon as she got ear plugs she started talking and you could understand her.

Carly - posted on 04/21/2011

None of my 3 children said anything until after 18 months, but from the age of 2 years they just took off... Don't worry or stress about it, he will talk in his own time, children are all different and it is impossible to compare them.

Tracy - posted on 04/21/2011

Hi Jennifer...I'm a mom of 15month old twins...i'm a stay at home mom..so they don't see other children that often except for our friends with older children. When you say that your lil boy doesn't talk, do you mean he has not said his first word? My two say in grand total about 6 words each....they don't really communicate yet in the sense of saying teetee when they want a bottle. They use hand gestures basically to ask...I really don't think you should worry until he is 2yrs old..if he has not said a word by then, then maybe you should see an occupational therapist to test him. He could also just be a quiet child...that will come into his own when he is ready..after all he has gone through quite alot in his life up to this point.

Deborah - posted on 04/12/2011

I think there's lots of good information from parents here but I'd like to add one point: your child has severl issues, not just one; because of that, there is likely a genetic cause. In other words, the statistical likelihood that a child would have both a heart defect and a speech delay are very low WITHOUT a genetic cause. I'd ask your doctor to send him for genetic testing and specifically to look for the second most common genetic condition (after Down syndrome) - 22q11.2 deletion or DiGeorge or Velocardiofacial syndrome. See more at www.vcfsef.org. Heart defects and speech delays are very common with this disorder, which my beautiful and charming and smart 7 yr old has so in accord with what everyone has said to you, either way, it will all be fine. God bless!

Angelina - posted on 04/11/2011

I think you should take your son to play group ,and to continue communicating with him,also continue to seek professional help like language and speech therapist .sometimes Childrens language develop late.Do continue to interract with your child.

Sonia - posted on 04/11/2011

My oldest didn't say more than a few words at that age. He's now 3 and talks just fine. I think he's maybe a little young to stress out too much. One thing I introduced that helped get both my boys communicating and talking earlier is the Baby Signing Time DVD's by Rachel Coleman. My kids LOVE these DVD's that feature introductions to lots of important words and signs put to fun songs and animation. I highly recommend them!
http://www.signingtime.com/

Cassandra - posted on 04/11/2011

My son who is now 5 yrs old did not talk until he was over two, and now he talks all the time.I will keep you and your baby in my prayers

Julie - posted on 04/11/2011

My son is 4 now, but when he was 18 months old I talked to his doctor about my concerns that he wasn't talking yet. At 18 mos. he didn't even babble, just made what we called a "chipmunk" noise. I did some research into speech therapy and I discovered the early intervention program in my state. A therapist came to my house and did an evaluation. They confirmed what I thought, that he was speech delayed, and we began weekly speech therapy in my home until he turned 3. Since then, he has been in a special pre-school program in my town for children with developmental delays or disabilities, and it has worked wonders!!! Now when people hear him talk they don't believe he ever had a delay. My advice to you is to look into your options for speech therapy and get started as soon as possible. You will be glad you did.

Ruth - posted on 04/10/2011

15 mths is outside the WHO range of non verbalizing. I would suggest a Paediatric Speech Therapist assessment. Local Community Health Centres have them. But long wait list. Maybe Start initial assessment there then maybe go private.

Kelly - posted on 04/10/2011

P.s. My son is 16 months old.

Kelly - posted on 04/10/2011

Have you tried talking to your son? We talk to our son all the time. We always tell him what we're doing. eg. "We have to put your shoes on so we can go out in the car" and now he brings me his shoes and says "mum i wanna go out in broom broom.. shoes?" He says heaps of other words but that is his main sentence he loves to say. He also signs a few things that he can't say like finished. HAve you tried teaching your baby a few signs then he might be able to sign mum to you until he can say it :)
I know every kid is different, my little brother had to have speech therapy and people couldn't understand what he said til he was 7 and I know a 3 yr old who still only says a few words so give it time and just talk to him a lot.

Maria Angeles - posted on 04/09/2011

I don't think that you have much to worry about, as each child is different. I've heard of children talking at 4 years old, then they are non-stop. It is important that you read and speak to him often, and encourage him to ask for what he needs. If you are still worried, speak to his pediatrician to advice you.

Allie - posted on 04/09/2011

Watch for signs that he is doing other things that are near or at his age level...does he feed himself, hold a cup, play with both hands, clap? Use a spoon? Stack blocks? Are are signs that his dexterity is good as well as hand-eye coordination. Does he make sounds? or nod yes or no? He may understand you but just not have his own words that you can understand yet. Does he point for things? Its true that speech shows in various ways, and it could be due to his rough start, but see what else he's doing or not doing. If you fail to see him doing certain things or no words, have his ears and eyes checked. (I've known people who have had kids with speech issues due to lack of hearing for instance-not necessarily your case, but it never hurts to get them checked) :)

Patricia - posted on 04/08/2011

you are so right Dodie

An - posted on 04/08/2011

my little brother had no health problems and was born at 10lbs 4oz - but didn't speak until he was 2 years old - at which point he spoke full sentences clearly, and enunciatd everything - and we still haven't been able to shut him up since then! he is 13 years younger than i - and it was a little weird, but he was just fine. but like i said he had no health issues we knew of - so talk to a dr, and see about an speech therapist if it continues, if the doctor thinks it is necessary! good luck!

Lauren - posted on 04/08/2011

My son is 15 months old and he hasn't said a word yet. I just took him in for his check up and the doctor wasn't concerned. She said if he isn't talking by 18 months, then we will need to get him evaluated.

Alisha - posted on 04/08/2011

my son wasnt talking at that age. all he could say was mama and dada and a few words that were more like babbling. he is now just turned two and barely starting to say words. mostly he still babbles a lot and throws tantrums and grunts like a lil cave man lol. i think its just a boy thing because my doc isnt concerned and says that most boys a delayed in a lot of things compared to girls. dont worry just get him around other kids and situations where hes hearing a lot of words. also what helped my daughter was the baby einstein videos, she even learned to sign! try those and the "your baby can read" dvds (@ walmart) good luck!

Penny - posted on 04/08/2011

Dear Jennifer
My son had open heart surgery at birth also and he didn't say anything until he was about 2 years old. I remember being worried at the time ( he is going to be 18 this summer) but it all worked out so don't worry and email me with any other concerns.
Penny

Cathy - posted on 04/08/2011

My granddaughter is 16 months, she says a few words, but finds it easier to have her own language. We all sing and talk to her and show pictures of words and what they belong too. I know in time she will open up and am not to concerned right now.

Nancy - posted on 04/08/2011

My little guy just turned 18 m onths on April 1st. Does your little one say any words at all? Like momma, dada, doggie? Anything? Does he babble any sounds? If not, I'd probably have him looked at. If he says atleast momma and dada, he's fine and will start chatting off new words. Some kids dont really start going till closer to 24 months. All three of my kids have been different. They do not need to be around other little people to learn to speak. They learn from hearing you talk to him and read to him. Speech therapists are pretty good at getting little people to start rambling. I'd check it out. Certainly doesn't hurt. Good luck to you both.

Mia - posted on 04/07/2011

what's more important is whether or not he can process your language - does he understand what you are asking (for the most part) and what you are saying and respond appropriately. Still... don't expect more than within the reasonable scope of a 15 month old. Perhaps he is a great candidate for some sign language learning? Or have you done that already? that is a GREAT way to work with kids who aren't as verbal as others. My oldest daughter was saying 5 words at 5 1/2 months, 25 words by 10 months, 3-5 word sentences by age 1 and complete sentences with expansive vocabulary in 2 languages by 2. it has been ridiculous (she is now 2 1/2). My 2nd daughter is now 9 months and she just smiles and smiles and laughs and grunts and dances and twirls her tongue but NOTHING even CLOSE to a word or even close to acting like she wants to say a word but she is already walking and has unbelievable fine motor skills. My oldest being so verbal actually has made it harder to navigate some of the other developmental progress which is actually on track but it's been too easy to treat her like she is older than she actually is and expect too much of her (or for others to expect too much of her). It's also made it difficult for her to interact with her peers - she wants to play with 4-6 year olds on the playground and they don't always want her to play with them or they do things she can't do and it frustrates her. anyways, the point is that every kid is different and every kid has something they advance quickly at and areas they progress more slowly. there are red flags but what is most important is to make sure your kiddo shows signs of processing language - if that seems off then you should be a little concerned about the non-verbal thing and pursue some answers with an expert but if it just seems like it's not his thing cuz he is too busy building and knocking things over or climbing and jumping or whatever he is more interested in then he is JUST FINE! my best friend's little boy didn't say an actual word till he was almost 3 and then he went from a few words to 3 times as many in a couple months and complete sentences with a huge vocabulary by shortly after 3. then he became a chatterbox and STARTED READING ON HIS OWN AT AGE 4!

Kim - posted on 04/07/2011

My 18 month old grandson does not talk yet. I am starting to get worried.

Tamara - posted on 04/07/2011

I am a teacher with a 22month old little boy. We had concerns about his lack of speech also. I talked with a couple speech therapists in my district and was advised not to worry. Its average for a boy to be delayed in speech till around age 2. They said to add more time if the child is active. My son is just now beginning to speak (or attempt) more often. If he gets closer to 3yrs with no development, then seek help from your local school district. Many offer speech testing/assessment for children in their jurisdictions

Tamara - posted on 04/07/2011

I am a teacher with a 22month old little boy. We had concerns about his lack of speech also. I talked with a couple speech therapists in my district and was advised not to worry. Its average for a boy to be delayed in speech till around age 2. They said to add more time if the child is active. My son is just now beginning to speak (or attempt) more often. If he gets closer to 3yrs with no development, then seek help from your local school district. Many offer speech testing/assessment for children in their jurisdictions

Karla - posted on 04/07/2011

Have his hearing checked. Our little girl ( 3.5 years old now)was born with Hypo Plastic Left ventrical. Three surgeries and a number of caths. She had some vocal cord damage done when she was put on ECCMO. She wears hearing aides to support her hearing loss. We have been told that lasix pushes and some of her medications are to blame. We began signing before we knew this to encourage communication. she now speaks very clearly and has a large vocabulary. Remember that all this hospital stay and surgeries are tramatic and can also cause some delay. These babies are special and communicate in all sorts of ways.

.

Billie-jo - posted on 04/07/2011

my boy did not talk till nearly 2 and even now at 4 talks when he wants to not when you want him to. just sit back and thinks things over before having a go.

Katie - posted on 04/07/2011

This is really odd,but I have a 20 month old who had her first open heart surgery at nine months and we are getting ready for her second in 3 weeks. At 15 months (and still today) she says "momma" and that's it but she calls me, her dad, and my mom, who keeps her, all momma. Having an older child that was the only child and never went to daycare who spoke full sentences at 2 with a large vocabulary, I knew this was not right.After talking to her doctor, I discovered because she spent so much time on a feeding tube ( about 6 months) that it could have caused her jaw and mouth muscles to be under developed due to the lack of sucking being tube feed. I also discovered that some auditory organs are developed the same time the heart is which means there is a higher chance defects could have occured in her auditory organs as well.I have been battling for 5 months with insurance for speech therapy. She is on state funded insurance that forced us to go through a state funded evaluation. In this evaluation they took three months away from her (at 15 months she was considered to be comparable to a 12 month old) because of all her illnesses and was denied. I have been fighting tooth and nail with insurance and other state angencies and she is finally being evaluated by CHOA's Scottish Rite Audiologist and Speech Therapist this month. Take him to the doctor and stomp your feet and make them do something!! We have been giving things to do at home with her like music,all the "smart baby" movies, pictures books and everything but nothing we have done at home as seem to make a difference. She completely understands language and seems very cognitive but very silent. I would ask your pediatrician about speech therapy and getting a hearing test done, she can guide you in the right direction for your area and circumstances. I have a question for you though, does he eat like a non cardiac baby? Because my Abby doesn't eat enough to keep an ant alive and just refuses to chew food. I am really interested in knowing. I have never spoken with another mom that has had the cardiac and speech problems I have. So if nothing else thank you for letting me know I am not completely alone in my struggles. Best of luck to you and your son.

Robyn - posted on 04/07/2011

I don't know what effect the open heart surgery would have had on your son's ability to speak but I have 2 sons, now 28 and 30 and neither said anything till they were about 2 years old. Both speak quite normally now.

Yasmin - posted on 04/07/2011

HI i have a 19mth old girl and i am having the same problems she wont talk at all. I have a 5 year old that talks non stop to her. I have tried heaps but nothing seems to work for me eiether

Erin - posted on 04/07/2011

My brother was born and had open heart surgery when he was 6weeks old.. They said he was going to be 2 years behind other children and that he couldn't play sports..But he did play sports rugby league and yes he had a learning diabilities... and he had speech problems but he caught up... and he is very intelliagent now.. i mean he is like a walking dictornary he remembers imformation like a sponge... and he is now married and he is normal... so I wouldn't worry... I find that all children develope at there own past... My son is 17 months old... and try and assoicate him with other children if possible.. i take my son to playcentre once a week... and i have a coffee group which he also plays with other children... and i have children in my church that he likes to play with and varity of ages...he will talk when he is ready>.. I wouldn't worry... maybe try showing him pictures of numbers and colours and shapes and abcs... etc and animal pictures... this will help to0.

Wendy - posted on 04/07/2011

If you would like a professional opinion, you should contact an agency called Child Find in your area. They will send someone out to evaluate your child. They will give you tips on how to help your child...And if they find that your child has a need, they will provide Early Childhood Intervention services. This is at no cost to you! I did this type of work before I retired, only with school-aged children... I have also had friends who used this service for their child, and were happy wirh the results!
I hope that this helps-
Wendy Young

Linda - posted on 04/07/2011

i am a mum but also a speech therapist and I think the main thing is to keep talking to him but think about keeping your sentences short and use simple vocabulary. When playing with him try to comment on what he is doing rather than asking questions ie "big ball" is a much better language model than what have you got. Also when he babbles or vocalises you can put words to this e.g. He says "dadada" you say " Daddy, daddy work" This type of repetition will help to attach meaning to his vocalisations.
Keep going but seek advice if you continue to be concerned.

Rena - posted on 04/07/2011

My son had open heart surgery at 6 months old. He is now 5 and has had trouble reaching nearly all of his milestones. We start Kindergarten in August and we have just found out he will be in Special Ed part of the day. I have had him in speech since he was three. Try everyway you can to get him in some type of early intervention program. It is free in our state and they came to our home until he was three and then we went to the local school and had speech. By the way, is your son walking? Eason walked at two years old. Good Luck!

Angela - posted on 04/07/2011

There are so many things medically that could cause a child not to be able to talk at 15 months. I'd advise you talk to your pediatrician about your concerns. If they blow you off that sometimes these things happen (been told that many times) get a second or third opinion. Sometimes if you feel as a mother that something is wrong, there is a reason. My oldest son did not say his first word until he was about 13 months. He's a fine 16yo boy now. I after he started talking I just said to myself that he was stubborn like his mother and just took his sweet time.

Have you tried sign language? My girlfriend started teaching her son it and it has been a wonderful way for him to communicate things to her when he just wasn't ready to say them.

Carissa - posted on 04/07/2011

My son is 21 months old and is just starting to (intelligibly) say words besides "mama." I don't think you should worry yet; your son is only 15 months. Often, boys are slow to start talking. And poor little guy! I hope he feels better soon.

Nelda - posted on 04/07/2011

Hi, I have the same problem with my boy and he is now five years and hasn't talk much either, but he learn some sign language and saying the words that he was signing. I think my boy hasn't been around with other kids since he was at that age. He also had multiple heart surgeries. Come to think of it, before he had the second open heart surgery we was putting words together but not much, but after the surgery he had a major set back and forget everything. Take him to the park to play with other kids, and to the library for story time. I know my son love the story time and copy what he can see from other kids.
Hope this will help.... Some other heart mom's said that their heart kids was not talking until they are 4 to 5 years old. There is hope! God bless!

Nelda - posted on 04/07/2011

Hi, I have the same problem with my boy and he is now five years and hasn't talk much either, but he learn some sign language and saying the words that he was signing. I think my boy hasn't been around with other kids since he was at that age. He also had multiple heart surgeries. Come to think of it, before he had the second open heart surgery we was putting words together but not much, but after the surgery he had a major set back and forget everything. Take him to the park to play with other kids, and to the library for story time. I know my son love the story time and copy what he can see from other kids.
Hope this will help.... Some other heart mom's said that their heart kids was not talking until they are 4 to 5 years old. There is hope! God bless!

Ashley - posted on 04/07/2011

Wow Sorry to hear about your sons Heart issues. what was wrong and is it better. I too had oopen0heart surgery , caths, angiograms but i was 7. its alittle scarier when its a baby. god bless you guys. Anyway I dotn normally respond to things i see like this but I hadyours caught my eye because My son, who is now 3 yrs. old had the same issue 15months didnt talk than 18 i mean all the way upto just about 24months he did not say A WORD! MaMa and Dada came first, but yea 2yrs. old. I was so afraid he had some kind of problem. I had never heard of such a thing. He is the only child(so far) but had never been around kids at this point. I put him in daycare and let me tell you I swear he was talking up a storm came the 21/2 mark, if it was even that long. It is amazing how fast they pick up things! They can only learn so much from us, they need that interactions with other children. If you don't like the day care idea, find out about some community mommy and me classses or like play dates? And remember ALL children are different. They learn different and some faster than others. He'll talk when he is ready and like i said about my son,and it was tru he was just observing and learning instead of words hes going to be saying full-on sentences. I wish you guys the best of luck, and don't worry he'll be talkin soon enough you may even wonder why you were in such a hurry for him to start talking.=)

Sue - posted on 04/07/2011

Jennifer, I have 2 beautiful kiddos. My daughter who is 9 and has Holoprosencephaly Lobar (CP) and a 3 1/2 yr old.
When my 3 1/2 yr old was a year old I kept asking the Dr why he wasn't talking yet he told us to talk with him more. As I am a stay at home mom. My daughter says only a handful of words cause of her condition. Eventually My son started talking ~ now he never stops. LOL love them. Do you have friends with kids? maybe set up a few play dates a week. Some cities even have Early Childhood and development programs. You could contact a near by school an ask if there are any. I am from Nebraska an our place is called Monroe Meyer Institute. They have OT, PT, and speech therapists that can help you. Your Dr should also know of these places. I hope this has helped you? Good Luck and always remember God gives us this little ones to learn from an I have learned alot thru my daughter. God knows you can handle this. With lots of Love an persistance in communicating with our daughter when she was @ 4 started saying Ma, da, now she is saying mama dada, gra, papa, nana, and sometime it sound like she says over there, sponge bob square pants, and now her favorite is NO. Good Luck! Sue

Kimberly - posted on 04/07/2011

My oldest didn't talk until he was almost 3. But he was tonge tied and my youngest has the same problem I had the oldest fixed when he was 18months and the youngest fixed at 9 months. It really didn't make a difference my youngest is 25 months and still only says mum and baby babbles sentences to me. He figures things out quickly but hasn't mastered talking yet and he is quite familiar with his name when you call him too. I think children talk when they want to and that is all there is to it. Especially if they have older siblings to do the talking for them.

Myrna - posted on 04/07/2011

My children didn't say anything coherent well after 15 months or close to 2yrs. Every child is different. When I first saw one of my grandsons he was already 2 and didn't say anything and then one day out of the blue he was talking and has been a chatterbox ever since. I would wait a while and make sure to constantly talk to him and have him around other adults. Talking always in your normal voice and not in baby talk. Baby talk has hindered many toddlers way of speaking...never quite learning how to pronounce words correctly. As I said before, I would wait a while before I raise any concerns with the pediatrician but, do talk to your pediatrician if it comes to a point where you are really starting to worry. Babbling is usually a sign that the baby already wants to speak but, still does not yet know how to clearly say any words.

MATILDA - posted on 04/07/2011

My 18mth old son started saying mama at 16mths. And from experience with my first boy, i must say boys are late speakers. Enrolling them at creche or day cares help improve their speech.

Ebony - posted on 04/06/2011

Hi Jennifer, I am a Speech pathologist. Your son should have some words in his vocabulary at this point. However, some kids take longer. I would suggest you introduce sign language to him. When talking to him, use good eye contact. At this age children learn through play so songs and games would be best. Have you gotten his hearing checked? How does he display his wants and needs? If you give him a choice between two items is he able to pick one nonverbally? Can he follow simple commands? Does he attempt to imitate simple words? If you have any more concerns I would gladly help out in any way.

Jennifer - posted on 04/06/2011

I personally wouldn't be concerned that your son is not talking, some kids take along time to start talking. If by 2 he's not, then at that time I'd be worried. Good luck, and don't stress too much, he sounds normal to me!

Chelsea - posted on 04/06/2011

My daughter is 16 mos and besides mama and dada, she doesn't say words. She babbles constantly though. I'm not worried about it though. I know she'll pick it up in time.

Pamela - posted on 04/06/2011

Each of us is unique and we each develop in our own ways. Hopefully your child will begin to speak soon.

A simple trick my sister taught me in aiding my sons to speak clearly (and it worked) is to place your child's hand over your lips when you say the word you are teaching and then after saying the word into the child's hand, place the child's hand on his own lips and repeat the word you are teaching. Do this 2 or 3 times for each new word each time you try to teach. The vibration of the lips when speaking helps the child to feel the same pattern on his lips.
My sons were answering the phone clearly at around 2 years as a result of my using that method.
Good luck. Don't panic. Stop worrying. And always...a prayer can help.