16 month old not talking yet

Rebecca - posted on 01/12/2010

my sixteen yr old ,, get this, it was after 3 before he would say a word. But i gues he was just soaking it all in cause he could carry on a conversation and cracked jokes . he talked to his older brother like he was some philosipher or something. it was funny looking back

Sherry - posted on 01/12/2010

No, its not a problem that your 16 month old is not talking. He will talk when he is ready, sometimes some Babies take longer to talk My son is now 23. I didn't talk till he was 5 yrs. Just keep saying different words to him. He will catch on.

Vanessa - posted on 01/12/2010

My son did not speak until he was about 3. He simply did not need to, because everything was given to him. When he did begin, he did not stop speaking complete sentences! He even began reading in kindergarten so don't think there is something cognitively wrong with your 16 month old not talking.

Kimberly - posted on 01/12/2010

My 2 1/2 year old is just now starting to talk. It is like Sarah said she just didn't want to before. Now I can understand most everything she says. I was also worried but have learned having 2 now that every child is different and will do things in their own time. When he is a little older when he wants a cup and reaches for it and babbles dont give it to him right away. Ask him if he wants the cup and keep saying it. I did that with Emily and she started talking however I didn't do that until about a 2 years old. Now she tells me what she wants or attempts to anyway instead of pointing and grunting

Sarah - posted on 01/12/2010

Wouldn't be too concerned at this point with your 16 month old not talking, receptive language in a sense is better at this point. The fact that your son is at least babbling is a good thing as well. My youngest son didn't start speaking, clear spoken words 'til just after his third birthday. Now it's hard to get him to stop talking, and when they start talking back you almost wish they couldn't talk. My oldest son however spoke like a little professor by 18 months, but had no receptive language, and was later diagnosed with autism. I did not realize everything he said was scripted from tv, others etc. I was just so pleased that he was talking. It wasn't until my youngest son was at 17mos. and started passing my oldest sons(4yrs) milestones that I really began to worry.

Sharon - posted on 01/12/2010

I wouldn't worry about your 16 month old not talking. Kids develop at their pace. You should ask your pediatrician at the next check up. The Dr. should ask about his hearing so keep an "eye" on his responses to noise and commands. If he has a lot of ear infections or sinus problems, there may be some gunk in his ears preventing him from hearing well.

My son had some issues with hearing/talking. The Dr. agreed there might be a problem with his hearing. By the time I got him in for a hearing test, the blockage in his ears cleared. He was talking, talking and more talking.

Mojha - posted on 01/12/2010

My nephew was the same way. He found he could communicate without talking, I guess. Then when he was a little over two - he became a little chatterbox. He is four now and he can carry on a full conversation.



Also, an old friend of mine had a little boy who wasn't talking and everyone was concerned. Same thing happened with him; around two years old he just started talking. Now he is eight and speaks minimal Spanish too!



I would be concerned if is still not forming words after he turns two years old. By the way - your children are adorable!

Judy - posted on 01/12/2010

Does he tend to get ear infections? I've known some children who had trouble hearing well because they always had fluid in their ears and it delayed their speech. A friend's doctor put tubes in her son's ears at the age of 2 to help with drainage and he started speaking better right away. But it's hard when one of your children develops at a different rate than the others - always makes you worry a little.

Melissa - posted on 01/11/2010

I think as long as he understands what u say its fine that your 16 month old is not talking. But let me tell you there will come a day when you wish he DIDN'T talk soo much. Lol

Melissa - posted on 01/11/2010

Not at alll!!! My 2 yr old didn't start talking till about 17 and 19 months old. My mother said I didn't talk till about 3yrs. old when I was a baby. I was a nanny to a 3 yr. old and he didn't talk till 3 -3 1/2 and his sister about 18 mo. to 2 yrs

I think that the normal rate is b/w 18 mo. and 3 yrs old.

Sarah - posted on 01/11/2010

I have a baby boy too, almost 16 months old and not talking. He says very little only Momma and Dadda and thats not consistent. I think boys are just not talkers, they are too interested in moving, and climbing. It will come in time. If your son understands things than its there he just isn't interested in saying it yet. Hang in there

Rosamond - posted on 01/11/2010

i definately think you should mention on the next visit to your doctor that your 16 month old is not talking. who know between now and then he could decide to say a few things. if your dr determines he is behind i am sure he will refer you to a speech terapist. same thing happened with my little guy. i kept waiting and waiting for him to speak and it didn't happen, so around 2 we got help, now he is doing much much better.

Katherine - posted on 01/11/2010

At 2 years old the doctors say your child should be saying 2-5 words. You have plenty of time. If you are worried (esp if he gets frustrated because you don't understand him) I would suggest helping him learn sign language. It is very helpful without putting off speech. Most public libraries have "Signing Times" DVDs.

Crystal - posted on 01/11/2010

my son turned 2 in october and hes still not really talking, and he didnt even start getting his teeth in until about a week after his first birthday. hes still smart he just doesnt want to talk yet. so i wouldnt worry. enjoy him as much as you can and dont worry as much he will get to it in his own time :-)

Kyra - posted on 01/11/2010

I think my son only said like 3 words then. He babbled a ton but didn't really start saying a lot until almost his second birthday. Then all of a sudden he was speaking in sentences! It was crazy. If your pediatrician isn't worried about your 16 month old not talking than you shouldn't be either!

Pam - posted on 01/11/2010

I have a grandson who was almost three before he talked. First words "You've got mail"
He also never ate baby food-vomitted for just spit it out. He was diagnosed with aspergers syndrome at about age 4. He is quite bright, but lacking in social skills and is so blunt and to the point. Has few friends.( he doesnt ride a bike & is not good at sports, but he is such a joy to his parents and to me. He tries so hard. He was abused physically by a first grade teacher and now suffers post traumatic stress syndrome. He is however in school 8th. grade and is an honor student. Aspergers is way more common in boys. If you want to talk to his mother (she helped write a book on Aspergers) email her at emanley@comporium.net. Tell her you chatted with me on this site...ask all the questions you want. She helps a lot of people with children with aspergers. It is a form of autism. (low on the scale)

Justine - posted on 01/11/2010

just to add to that, my brother was 4 before he used full sentances and now he is 19, nothing wrong with him, he actually was an ontario scholar.

Samantha - posted on 01/11/2010

He says what sounds like a faint "no" when my husband asks him if he is ready for bed, but he doesn't wave bye bye or point, he does understand things though and can grab my hair and ear and even nose sometimes when I ask him to. He was also slower to walk then my other two children and has only one tooth. So I am hoping he is just more relaxed about doing things than the other two were

Justine - posted on 01/11/2010

its not uncommon for boys to be slower to talk, they tend to be more active, and when they are learning so much and such big things, its easier for them to focus on one thing and get good at that then go to the next thing. my 11 month old doesnt say anything but he is almost walking. if he didnt understand what you were saying that would be cause for concern, but some babies are just slower talkers.

Tabitha - posted on 01/11/2010

I wouldn't worry to much. No Dr. will be able to tell if he could be autistic or if his developemental skills are just slower then other children, until about two years old. Even then they may not worry to much. I worked with autiscti children at the age of 3 so thats why I braught that up as being a possibilty. My sister's baby is 2 and she still babbles alot. I would continue to show him books with letters adnn words in them, maybe jot down how he responds and if he shows interest or may recognize the word but points to object instead of actually saying the word.

Stephanie - posted on 01/11/2010

I have a 2 1/2 year old son and I went through the same thing. Jacob didn't start saying understandable words until after his 2nd birthday. His doctor told me that some kids just develop at different rates, so you shouldn't be concerned about your 16 month old not talking. He's now communicating just fine. Not the clearest in the world, but we can at least understand him now.

Karrissa - posted on 01/11/2010

My now two year old just really started talking the past couple months, but she is also doing some speech therapy everyother week...I think that my one on one time with her has really helped as well...They say that when they are really ready you won't be able to stop them...If you are really concerned contact your doctor and see what they think you should do!

Sarah - posted on 01/11/2010

my middle child didn't talk until 2 1/2, she just didn't want to. At 3 1/2 she can hold full grown up conversations. He will talks when he wants to, don't worry about your 16 month old not talking.

Sherry - posted on 01/12/2010

No, its not a problem that your 16 month old is not talking. He will talk when he is ready, sometimes some Babies take longer to talk My son is now 23. I didn't talk till he was 5 yrs. Just keep saying different words to him. He will catch on.

Vanessa - posted on 01/12/2010

My son did not speak until he was about 3. He simply did not need to, because everything was given to him. When he did begin, he did not stop speaking complete sentences! He even began reading in kindergarten so don't think there is something cognitively wrong with your 16 month old not talking.

Sarah - posted on 01/12/2010

Wouldn't be too concerned at this point with your 16 month old not talking, receptive language in a sense is better at this point. The fact that your son is at least babbling is a good thing as well. My youngest son didn't start speaking, clear spoken words 'til just after his third birthday. Now it's hard to get him to stop talking, and when they start talking back you almost wish they couldn't talk. My oldest son however spoke like a little professor by 18 months, but had no receptive language, and was later diagnosed with autism. I did not realize everything he said was scripted from tv, others etc. I was just so pleased that he was talking. It wasn't until my youngest son was at 17mos. and started passing my oldest sons(4yrs) milestones that I really began to worry.

Sharon - posted on 01/12/2010

I wouldn't worry about your 16 month old not talking. Kids develop at their pace. You should ask your pediatrician at the next check up. The Dr. should ask about his hearing so keep an "eye" on his responses to noise and commands. If he has a lot of ear infections or sinus problems, there may be some gunk in his ears preventing him from hearing well.

My son had some issues with hearing/talking. The Dr. agreed there might be a problem with his hearing. By the time I got him in for a hearing test, the blockage in his ears cleared. He was talking, talking and more talking.

Melissa - posted on 01/11/2010

I think as long as he understands what u say its fine that your 16 month old is not talking. But let me tell you there will come a day when you wish he DIDN'T talk soo much. Lol

Sarah - posted on 01/11/2010

I have a baby boy too, almost 16 months old and not talking. He says very little only Momma and Dadda and thats not consistent. I think boys are just not talkers, they are too interested in moving, and climbing. It will come in time. If your son understands things than its there he just isn't interested in saying it yet. Hang in there

Rosamond - posted on 01/11/2010

i definately think you should mention on the next visit to your doctor that your 16 month old is not talking. who know between now and then he could decide to say a few things. if your dr determines he is behind i am sure he will refer you to a speech terapist. same thing happened with my little guy. i kept waiting and waiting for him to speak and it didn't happen, so around 2 we got help, now he is doing much much better.

Kyra - posted on 01/11/2010

I think my son only said like 3 words then. He babbled a ton but didn't really start saying a lot until almost his second birthday. Then all of a sudden he was speaking in sentences! It was crazy. If your pediatrician isn't worried about your 16 month old not talking than you shouldn't be either!

Stephanie - posted on 01/11/2010

I have a 2 1/2 year old son and I went through the same thing. Jacob didn't start saying understandable words until after his 2nd birthday. His doctor told me that some kids just develop at different rates, so you shouldn't be concerned about your 16 month old not talking. He's now communicating just fine. Not the clearest in the world, but we can at least understand him now.

Sarah - posted on 01/11/2010

my middle child didn't talk until 2 1/2, she just didn't want to. At 3 1/2 she can hold full grown up conversations. He will talks when he wants to, don't worry about your 16 month old not talking.