No words at 15 months

Carol - posted on 12/31/2009

My daughter did not say her first word till she was four. Every one said she had a hearing problem. I was worried at the time . I assumed she may have problems at school but I now believe she didn't need to talk then, makes up for it now and excelled at school. When she did start she spoke in sentences. Now has a degree in Biomedicine and a post grad Dip Ed and 2 children of her own. One is 2 years and 4 months and does not say many words and she has expressed her concern. He is a delightful child and I have told her not to worry. All children develop at different times..

Cindy - posted on 12/29/2009

Hi, I like that you are asking for help with this issue contact your local Early Intervention office usually listed under county services these agencies do home evaluations by certified Speech-Language Pathologists. Some children develop middle ear fluid that make hearing speech like hearing with your ears plugged with cotton balls or worse. They may or may not demonstrate symptoms. Get a hearing evaluation ask for middle ear check How much time do you spend in face to face interaction? Maybe more of this will help, as well as play groups with children of similar ages. Go to American Speech and Hearing website and read up on normal speech and language milestones. All children develop differently its true I'm glad you are keeping an eye on her. Cindy Lee-Holloway M.S. Ed. C.C.C.,S.L.P.

Paula - posted on 12/28/2009

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I feel much better!

Joanna - posted on 12/27/2009

Lots of reading and flash cards are what really helped with my girl. At 22 months old she only had a 10 word vocabulary. But suddenly at 23 months she exploded. Now she is 27 months old and I lost count of her words (but it's well over 200).

Renae - posted on 12/27/2009

They say that a 15 month old should be saying more words than that. I think its 3-4 including mom and dad by 12 months and 6 words by 18 months.... I think? Going from memory here! BUT lots of kids take longer to talk. If your doctor is concerned, it might be worth a checkup with a speech pathologist, only from the point of view of making sure there is nothing wrong because if there is a problem then it is always best to be caught early so you can do something about it. But chances are she just isnt ready to talk yet.

Jan - posted on 12/27/2009

Hey Paula, If you are really worried or someone has made you really worried about your daughters speech I would contact my local school district and make an appointment with a speech pathologist. This is free because it's through the school district. Your daughter can hear and understand because she helps you. Good luck. Just remember that all little ones mature and learn in their own time.

Ashley - posted on 12/26/2009

my two year old is in speech therapy & i can tell you it has helped him a great bit. so just go with your gut! My oldest son talks NON stop, but he never said anything but mama daddy & oah(Noah), he'd say other things but he;d hafta copy us. he's been in therapy for about two months now & says over 50 words...his progress has been great...so as a mother if you feel its a cause for concern check it out, but if i were you i'd wait until your child is two. :) The difference is though, Nikolas would try to talk SO hard but couldnt ge it out...& he's a much happier child now that he can communicate more & he also quit crying so much.. so maybe your child just isnt ready to talk.♥

Lorinda - posted on 12/26/2009

My guess is she's a very smart little cookie. Everyone else is doing all the talking so she doesn't have to. She's got them trained to understand what she wants just by body language, gestures, and sounds. She doesn't have to talk! Try pretending to not understand her when you know she wants something. Make her say it. Keep pretending you don't know what she wants. If she won't say it, just walk away. I bet she comes out with complete sentences! Try it. I have a grandson I thought was autistic until I got him to talk. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Heather - posted on 12/26/2009

hang in there!!! My son didn't speak but a few words until he was 2 and a half! It really thru me for a loop, both my girls spoke at least 80 words by the time they were 20 months! The doctor (at a regular check up) said that the age for talking had been relaxed over the years and that a lot of kids weren't talking as earlier as their siblings, it he wasn't saying more by age 3, then we would explore other options. He has since begun to speak quite a bit. My husband just looks at his mother every time our sons says something, he usually adds, "says my son, who doesn't talk!"

Heidi - posted on 12/26/2009

Since your daughter understands simple directions that you give her, I would not be too concerned. Being at home and not around other children may be part of the reason why she doesn't have a large vocabulary, but I don't think that is a "bad" thing. My son is almost 19 months old and says few words as well. He stays at home with my mom everyday while my husband and I work. He also understands directions and can follow them, but doesn't say much back.

Keep reading and talking to your daughter and try not to worry too much. Taking her to the playground, or enrolling her in some kind of group where she can play and socialize with other children her age may be a good idea if you can. We take my son to a Gymboree play class once a week to give him the opportunity to see other children his age. If she is not saying many more words by age 2, your pediatrician may suggest a speech / language evaluation just to rule out any communication issues. Like all the other moms have said, some children do just wait longer before they talk and then it seems to go from 0-60 words overnight. :)

Robin - posted on 12/26/2009

I know the feeling. My son is 24 years old and can talk very clear. He didn't talk until he was 26 months. When he started talking it was in sentences. "I want cookie", "Hold me", etc. The words were clear and any one could understand what he said. My dad told us that he just waited until he had something to say. Even now, he listens and always seems interested in what is being said. However, he doesn't talk a lot. But when he does, it always has meaning.

My worries came from actual events in my family. Make sure she is hearing you and not reading your lips and body language. My cousin who is in his 40's went undiagnosed for two years. He had a problem with one ear and they waited until he was totally deaf in that ear before they found out. The corrective surgery was able to maintain the hearing in his other ear and he has lead a normal life.

Today, I am sure your doctor is keeping close tabs. You are a great mom, and you know your child better than anyone. One day she will want something and when it isn't given to her she will let you know all about it!

Kylie - posted on 12/26/2009

Does she chatter unrecognisable words at all? My youngest daughter is about to turn two and she didn't say any recognisable words except for Mummy and Daddy until about 18 months and didn't eat any solids until 16 months. I had her at the Speech Therapist, Dietician and Paediatrician and they didn't have any answers. The paediatrician was good though because he said that all kids do things in their own time and not to worry as she was not listless or unhealthy at all. Wonderful stuff breastmilk is!!! Now she eats almost as much as her older sisters and talks a million miles an hour. I think you are doing all the right things though and obviously she understands a lot so she will talk when she is ready and sees the need to do so!

Renee - posted on 12/26/2009

Does she have any behaviors that you think are unusual? Does she give you direct eye contact? Nod her head for yes and shake it for no? Does she point to something she wants? Does she play with age appropriate toys the way they were meant to be played with? Does she become frustrated and angry or cry if you don't know what she wants? Just curious because not talking is not cause for alarm at this age, it's all these other behaviors combined with not talking. Good luck to you.

Deborah - posted on 12/26/2009

my son was the same....only said mum n dad till he was 3...could only say about a dozen words when he was 5...he is the eldest of 4.....he is classed as a selective mute, he talks when he is comfortable and needs too, mostly to other kids until he went to high school...he is now 19 and a daddy himself, he did attend speech therapy for over 10 years and still has some speech problems, but he also has other additional needs. i had to push it to get something done, the doctors wouldnt do assessments till he was over 2, check that your child isnt tongue tied, your child follows commands so cant have hearing problems or autism, just keep on loving and doing your best...now my son never shuts up....keep up the good work

Jacquelyn - posted on 12/26/2009

My son is the same way... however I hear him talk to himself in full articulate (as articulate as a 19 month old can be) sentences but when he's out with us and around everyone else he doesn't speak almost at all except for blabbering... the doc is alil concerned about him as well. I have noticed though sence we recieved Your Baby Can... Read he's been more vocal and more inclined to "speak" so we're trying to get him to say the words with the video and when we do the flashcards and such so i would suggest something like that... and see if it works. A couple of my gfs daughters talk but not too much either. My best friends said that they didn't speak unti lthey were 4 yrs old and they are perfectly fine. I think that they will speak when they feel the need to. Just keep encouraging her and trying to teach her because even if she's not talking to you she's still learning the words. Hope all goes well and she starts talking soon.

Renee - posted on 12/26/2009

Interaction with children her age that are talking will help. Children learn best from other children. Which is one reason a mixed age group at child care is best. The little ones mimic the slightly older ones.

Heather - posted on 12/26/2009

i just learned this in my psych. class. =) youre doing fine, it is NOT unusual for a child to not be talking at 15 mos. kids develop at their own pace, and you have stated that she follows directions, which means she is comprehending. just keep talking to her, even if its just a commentary of what you are doing, and the reading is great! dont worry, she will talk more when she is ready! good luck!

Amy - posted on 12/26/2009

You are doing fine, don't worry! My daughter didn't really talk for a long time either. All of a sudden between birthdays 2 and 3 she started talking. It's now 3 years later and she hasn't stopped talking yet.

Montine - posted on 12/26/2009

I would try putting her in day care for a few weeks or maybe just days to see if there is any difference. i don't think any kid can stay among other playing kids and not try to talk, good luck. i am a mother and grandmother and great grandmother. 69 years old

Carrol - posted on 12/26/2009

this is not usually the norm for the first child.upon dischared from hospital the child uaually have hearing assessment.most time the second i may not be so concern.the first usually speak for the second.by age 2 i will have this child assessed for hearing problem.first visible sign of autism is delayed speech.understand your concern.keepbeing a good parent.have child interact with other children.

Rosanne - posted on 12/26/2009

I would not worry about her not talking ,my son did not talk till he was 4. my mother was really quite upset about it more than us. she used to say I don't know what's wrong with that boy. We can truly say nothing is wrong , he spoke when he was ready,he didn't respond to baby talk , but hey guess what he now holds down a managerial position on 95k CAD a year so what is the problem , just tell them to love her for who she is and not what they want her to be.Enjoy her as she is not around for long when she grows up.

Lil - posted on 12/26/2009

Quoting Paula:

No words at 15 months

My daughter has not said more than momma and daddy and her doctor told us that is unusual for a 15 month girl who is the oldest? Is it unusual? Now my grand mother in law is saying the same thing. I'm trying to fluff it off. My daughter runs errands for us (like throw this in the trash and she does it) and we read every day to her. What else can I do to encourage talking? I am a stay at home mom working part time. She stays with her grandparents and her dad while I'm at work. Could this be part of the reason?

 HI I would not worry too much as My husband did not talk untill he was over two  in fact ma in law took him to the doctords to see if he was tongue tied  but he wasnt  now this is over 70 years ago he doctor said he has got nothing to say  he will speak when he is ready. which he did and never stopped since

ask the Grandparents to talk to her giving her questions that has an answer to them read book and while reading the story ask her questions    By speaking to her and  try to look into her

eyes It just may help 

Lil Keen

Dayna - posted on 12/26/2009

my daughter wasn't keen on talking a whole lot until she was about 18 months and didn't take her first real steps until she was 17 months to the day. Now at nearly 6, she runs everywhere, doesn't STOP talking and is 6 months ahead of the rest of her kindergarten class for reading. I wouldn't worry too much about it.. they all hit their milestones when they're good and ready :)

Danielle - posted on 12/26/2009

Don't worry! My daughter didn't talk at all other than momma and daddy until she was 2. I was very concerned because my son spoke very well, very early. But my doctor and my parents kept telling me not to worry. As long as she seems like she understands you so you dont feel she has a hearing problem, don't worry. All kids are different and they all hit landmarks at different times. Before you know it she will be talking your ear off:-)

Gene & Erin - posted on 12/26/2009

If she is healthy in everyother way and seems to be hearing okay then I wouldn't worry so much. Grandparents and even well meaning doctors don't know everything. I'm expecting #8 and my best advice for you is - kids are weird! No, my best advice is - YOU are the mom, trust yourself! None of mine have done the same things at the same time. Maybe you are blessed with one who just doen't have much to say as opposed to one who talks constantly (like the one sitting on me right now - but she is 3). Give it time. At 15 months most kids aren't saying much that makes sense anyway.
Does she babble?
I think that when she does really start to talk she'll have absorbed so much that she will be very good at it - just make sure no one "baby talks" her or shes not learning anything.
And keep reading and letting her do small "chores" - your doing a great job!

Debbie - posted on 12/26/2009

my granddaughter didnt walk till 20 months cause she is tall and is just now starting to repeat some words... not every child learns the same. give it time, by summer you may not be able to keep her quiet......