My daughter is 20 months and still doesnt talk, should I be worried?

Donna - posted on 03/27/2010

I am a mother of three girls 14, 5 and 3. All three of them didn't talk until they were around 2 1/2. When they finally started talking they were saying sentences and telling stories. She will talk when she is ready. But if you are concerned, please talk to your doctor.

Rachel - posted on 03/27/2010

don't worry about it unless your pediatrician tells you to get the child tested. As far as I know, though, they don't usually test anything or start any therapy unless the child has passed at least 24 months of age and still isn't talking.

Ellie - posted on 03/27/2010

My son was about that age and he still didnt talk also. I put him in speech therapy and withing 3 months you could hold long conversations with him! It was amazing. He was above average on all other development but just wouldnt talk. The therapist told me that since he didnt need to talk for me to understand what he wanted he just didnt try. If you child points at something and wants it, try to make them say the word before you give it to them. It works wonders for Austin. He is now four and has conversations with people that ever 6 year old cant have.

Megan - posted on 03/26/2010

You are not alone!! My son is my first and he is 19 months and will not talk. He can hear me and knows what I am saying but he just points to stuff and yells at me. Sometimes he will walk to the dog and yell like he was trying to talk. My doctor said I should get him tested in a few weeks but, I know that he is fine. We don't go to daycare but they say that it helps to be around more kids. Not sure but maybe one day the talking will start, and never stop from what I hear!!!!

Anna - posted on 03/26/2010

Some kids talk late but then make up for it bigtime when they are 2-3 onwards. You could get her hearing checked to make sure that's not a problem.
I do baby sign language with my son - (it is for hearing babies, not deaf babies). It is fantastic for their speech development and it means they can communicate using signs when the spoken word is too hard for them. It is easy to learn - I fully recommend it. You can probably find books on it at your library or bookstore if you're interested.

Amanda - posted on 03/26/2010

Hi Brandi,
It is a worry, I know, but do bear in mind that she could well be clever after all why have a dog and bark yourself? She can obviously understand what is being said to her, but does not see the point of talking, and if your 3 year old is anything like any of my kids, she usually talks for her sister and knows what she wants.
Check with your health professional by all means if you are worried, but in the mean time sing songs to her, just basic nursery rhymes that she can join in, When she wants something, encourage her to at least make a noise, then repeat what you would like to hear her say e.g. oh so you would like a drink. These can encourage her to talk a little more.
Kids are all different, as you seem so wonderfully to understand, she may just need some time (and peace from her sister which will happen soon what with school), and by the time she starts school, will have caught up.
Good luck
Mandy

Joanna - posted on 03/26/2010

My daughter didn't really start talking until 23 months, and she was the first. But I always hear the same thing, that younger siblings sometimes learn things later because their older siblings help them get what they want.



I took my daughter to a speech therapist at 22 months to have her tested, and she was in the right range, but the therapist gave me some great ideas for activities to use to help her talk. One that worked really well was to get a few paper bags and write a letter on it, and put small items/toys that start with that letter in the bag (the "B" bag would have a button, bubbles, ball, a toy broccoli, etc). And she loved the game and it helped her learn more words and sounds.