Language development in 17 month old

Daniela - posted on 08/13/2011

My daughter pretty much only babbled until around 18/19 months and then over night started talking, talking, talking. At almost two she seems to have a huge vocabulary and started talking in simple sentences. If it wasn't for her growing up bi-lingual I would have been really worried simply for the constant 'Any words yet?' and 'Talking much yet?' from even before her first birthday. If you are worried, by all means get it checked out, but from the kids I know she seems to be doing ok.

Jenni - posted on 08/13/2011

My son *never* babbled. He made the odd sound, but it was rare. My daughter babbled/babbles ALL the time. ;) She has her own little cute language.
But they're all so different. Some babies never babble at all but are still developmentally on track.

Amy - posted on 08/13/2011

Thanks ladies for the advice, I honestly don't feel like we're pressuring her to speak we're just concerned because she really doesn't even babble that much and the words she can say she prefers to sign themrather then actually speak. She has an older brother who does a lot of talking so I'm sure a big part of it is she sees no need to speak.

Jacqueline - posted on 08/13/2011

Follow your instincts, if you are concerned, start with you pediatrician, then contact your birth to 3 program and they will direct you to an slp in your area for a screen or eval. If intervention is necessary, early is better! And you might just find out she's on track! (from a SLP). :)

Katherine - posted on 08/13/2011

She's only 17 months, I really think this is normal. Here's a good resource to go by:

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-17-mont...

Bonnie - posted on 08/13/2011

Most toddlers don't do much talking until they turn 2, especially if they have any siblings because siblings tend to know what they want before they can ask for it.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/13/2011

Amy "she understand what we're saying and can follow directions." this is HUGE! This is the first step to talking, being able to understand....then start verbalizing. Plus she knows some sign language, and can talk some words....give her a break. She sounds great! She is only a year and 5 months. My daughter is a month younger, and is at about the same stage.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/13/2011

Don't put so much pressure or stalk into "milestones". That is gonna lead you to comparing EVERYTHING she does with EVERY other kid. That is not fair to her, and puts a lot of pressure on everyone. Who wants that?

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/13/2011

Really? She sure sounds like she is on track to me. Things you should be concerned about would be her not responding to her own name, not understanding ANYTHING you are saying to her...which she obviously is...you say she nods yes or no, and not doing anything verbal...even baby garble noises. Your kids sounds like she is doing a FINE job.

Jenni - posted on 08/13/2011

Amy, I'd say that's normal for her age. A lot of children around 18 months only say a few words. My son was the same. He barely said anything until 22 months. Then suddenly, almost over night (rather in a month), went from saying maybe 8-10 words (at 21 months) to a hundred the next. He started repeated 5 new words a day in that month. I was counting with him (as I often did) and out of nowhere he counted to 10 (skipping 7 respectfully). Even though he had never counted aloud before. He also was able to say and identify every letter in the alphabet by his second birthday. And probably said about 200 words by his second birthday.



So I wouldn't be too concerned. It's still early. I was worried myself. My neighbour's son could talk in short sentences and count by 18 months. But they're all soooo different.



It almost seemed like 12-22 months my son was just absorbing. Pointing things out and wanting to know what they were called. But he didn't express them verbally. Then at 22 months he started pointing to pictures in his picture books and would say things like 'lawnmower' and other objects I had no idea he knew what they were called.



But of course it doesn't do any harm to see a language specialist. I wish I had more info for you on that. I'd probably speak to her pediatrician and get a referral.

Sharon - posted on 08/13/2011

Our little man hardly said anything until he was between 18-19mths, then once he decided he wanted to speak there was no stopping him. At 18mths he would say (only when he wanted to, which would be maybe one word every 2-3 days if we were lucky) mum, dad, ball and dog.

Amy - posted on 08/13/2011

Katherine she only says a couple of words like hi, bye, and mama. She does do some sign language and she's able to communicate and get what she wants through non-verbal such as shaking her head yes, no, or I don't know. It's not her hearing because she understand what we're saying and can follow directions.

Katherine - posted on 08/12/2011

Well first of all what is wrong with her speech?