Why isn't my son talking yet?

Angela - posted on 08/20/2010

does he have an older sibling? and do they talk 4 him ?

Jane - posted on 08/20/2010

I felt the same way with my son, but all of the sudden he really started talking right around his 2nd birthday. So, I have realized like everyone told me that every kid is different and just have to be patient!

Sarah - posted on 08/20/2010

my son was 2 in july but still not talking only few words and very clumsy and 4get about toilet training not intreasted lol but healf visiter r trying 2 get him into a nursery 4 15 hrs a wk funded but not sure if hes just slow or if hes got what my daughter has she has asd

Amy - posted on 08/20/2010

my son is 2 and hardly says anything he sort of says grandma, mum cat, dog and fish but he does understand everything im saying though and im seeing speech and language and they say some babies take longer to pick words up then others and boys can take longer to do alot of things then girls too

Carley - posted on 08/19/2010

Every baby is different mama, don't worry.

Albert Einstein didn't talk until he was 4 years old. Talking at a young age has nothing to do with intelligence. He knows and understands what your saying, and can probably say things himself, he just has so many other things to do and learn right now that he's focusing on that :)

Alisha - posted on 08/19/2010

I've seen 2 1/2 year olds who didn't say much. 15 months is young and he really should be just saying words. I wouldn't be too worried about it, he will talk in his own time!

Carmen - posted on 08/19/2010

My daughter who is now two was just like that. She also used to have a lot of ear infections during her first year. At 18 months she had ear tubes put in and ever since then her vocabulary has really improved. She now talks just as much as any two year old.

Jessica - posted on 08/19/2010

My daughter is the same age and her doctor says kids talk at different times and to help her is to read. So we read everyday and her grandma got her that dvd YOUR BABY CAN READ. It really does work, I highly recommend it. It shows words with motions and ways to uses the words. Try word assiocation with son, that seems to help me. When you talk about food you show him the frig, when you talk about a book you show him the book, things like that. Hope that helps.

Raeann - posted on 08/19/2010

hi my name is ann. my son is 17months and says momma dada and ball and after talking to his doctor and a few other doctors they suggested speach therapy. they also suggest getting a hearing test done. i suggest talking to ur sons doctor to see what he/she says.

Betty - posted on 08/19/2010

If you are worried that his hearing is damaged than have that checked out but that seems pretty normal for his age. Sometimes parents don't tell us the correct ages of their babies because they loose track of time or wanna lie for attention. Stop asking people how old their babies are so you can enjoy your son's milstones when they happen.

Liz - posted on 08/19/2010

If you ask me he's fine, try not rush him. They will go at they're own pace so just be patient. I've always just tried to make sure I use a normal voice with my kids and said words correctly. My girls were talking before they turned a year old and WAY too much. My son was over 2 when he started talking regularly.

Chalaine - posted on 08/19/2010

everyone grows and develops at a different pace- if his speech is clear, or atleast u and those close to u understand him that's what is important- if he wasan't talking at all or still entirely babbling, that is when there could be a problem, don't worry he'll catch up

Allison - posted on 08/19/2010

Sometimes joining a playgroup with other children or yes I know the dreaded word "daycare" could help. I've noticed that when "you're" child is around other children they pick up words and actions from those children. I kept my daughter Zowie close by me all the time so right now she's picking up everything left and right and she's 2 1/2 years old. I've also noticed that when my Zowie is around family members she talks alot but when she's with me it's hardly a word this is because she knows that I already know what she needs or wants. Verses other family members she isnt with a whole lot. At this point I would think a speech therapist is too early right now but I wouldn't rule it out completely, keep it in mind for near future unless there is something impairing you're child. Good Luck and try not to worry too much...lol I know I STILL worry all the time :D

Michelle - posted on 08/19/2010

does ur son have a dummy? if so then this could be the problem as when kids have dummy they dont tend to speak as much. If not then if he has a problem with his ears then yea that may be the cause of his speach problem, through him not being able to hear as much as he should. I think u should ring your health visitor and can them to come out and have a chat with them about it and they can give you some adice on what to do, take care xxx

Michelle - posted on 08/19/2010

does ur son have a dummy? if so then this can prospone them from talking as much. If not then yes if he has problems with his ears it can reduce the amount he hears and he may not be hearing as much as he should. I think u should ring your health visitor and get her to come out and see u and she will be able to give u some advice etc take care xxx

Betina - posted on 08/19/2010

It's so sad that most parents including me at the time are so fixated on what ourour doctors and books tell us about what our baby should be doing to enjoy them. Do you know that a lot of these so called experts on children don't have any of their own? That includes pediatricians, My mom never saw a pediatrician and she's 66 years old today. They don't know everything, We put to much stock in what these so called specialist say that we don't enjoy our children. Common since goes a long way, I learned that the hard way. Your baby will talk when he or she is ready and not before.

Betina - posted on 08/19/2010

I'm sorry if this upsets any of you. I understand that most of the ladies on here are first time moms. You need to calm down. I have 4 children, My oldest started talking when she was 9 months old. I freaked out when my second didn't talk till 28 months old. I thought she had mental problems. Then I had a special needs child that doesn't talk at all. After that I had my last baby and he didn't start talking till he was 18 months old and he is and honor student and on his way to Va. Tech. Good luck and don't worry so much.

Valerie - posted on 08/18/2010

Ear infections can definitely affect the vocab of a child I mean if what they are hearing is muffled it will be harder to learn but if you got him checked and all is well but he doesn't really sound any further behind My middle child had some speech problems but hers was her 2 1/2 yr old sister never LET her speak for herself it was sissy wants a drink and then she'd point and go UHHUH... annoying lol but she is fine now , just have patience and work with him. I read and talk to my kids EVERYDAY my 3yr old was at the neighbors playing when she told her 1yr old to come change his pants what's my son ask her? Your not Literally changing his pants are you, Just his diaper right? Yes Im serious I had said that around him and used it but I didn't know they can actually learn how to use those words just talking to them he corrected my sister and said actually they are shorts not my pants. its amazing what you can teach them!

Jenette - posted on 08/18/2010

My daughter was diagnosed at age 3 with a speech delay. She was always behind on her language milestones, but my doctor kept telling me that he was satisfied with her progress. Still, in the back of my mind, I was concerned. So, I referred myself to get her hearing and speech tested (which is fine and easy to do). She was easily diagnosed by the speech therapists and is now receiving treatment.

It is a hard thing to deal with. Socializing with other children gets harder as they get older. It was hard to leave her with other people because they couldn't understand her communication and they felt bad and she was frustrated. But now I feel like she is maybe attached to me a little too much because I am always there translating for her. We decided to get her into preschool this year as well and hope that helps her to catch up.

One thing that I didn't know was that speech problems actually run in the family. I knew that my husband had a small one, but found out that a lot of my family members did as well.

I think that they like to wait until age 2 for evaluations, so keep an eye on your son. Maybe he has a language explosion in the near future. I wish you luck and if you need to talk, I would be happy to share frustrations/advice/joys with you.

Ryen - posted on 08/18/2010

My son had the same prob. Have your ped test his hearing. I'm sure he will probably need tubes. I waited with my son because every1 said he was normal but I knew different. He was behind and had to work with a speech path. He didn't start speaking full setences til 3 yrs. old. If you have a gut feeling ask your ped to test Better safe than sorry :)

Terianne - posted on 08/18/2010

The way i look at it, if it concerns you then speak to his doctor. My guess would be it may be related to the ear infections. if he's getting a lot of ear infections it could be caused by ear wax not draining properly from his ear. which may mean he has a tendency to have ear wax build up. this may muffle sounds that he hears and children learn by the sounds they hear. also the ears, nose and throat are all kind of connected. so if he's also had any throat infections, when he was sick it may have hurt his throat to talk... if this had happened, he may not have understood it hurt to talk because he was sick. he may have only thought his throat hurt because he tried to be vocal.
speak to him a lot, read books with him. if he says his words to you, repeat them back to him and play off them... if he says "dada" repeat it and then have him say "baba" and expand on the sounds. "baba" can change into "baw-baw" and then into "ball ball" ext.

He really doesn't sound that behind but if you're concerned then speak to his doctor. my son started talking early but i noticed a HUGE difference when he started attending a preschool class at 2.5 years. with in a week of being around other children he started talking more. with in a month he was expanding his vocabulary so much we couldn't really keep up. i really found him being around other children made a HUGE difference with his speaking.

set up play dates with other kids and get involved in community mommy and me groups and stuff like that if you can.

all the best! =)

Bonnie - posted on 08/18/2010

Every child develops at their own pace. My son is 22 months old and doesn't talk. He says some words, simple words... work, ball, cat, bed, nigh-night... but no phrases or sentances... I have taken him to speach therapy and by their guidelines he's supposedly not "that far behind" but it still get's to me everyday to know that he's not talking...
There are lots of things you can do to help. Reading with him is probably the best thing you could do. Short simple sentances, repatativeness, picking words and using them throughout the day. And if your getting too concerned check into having him evaluated by his pedi or a speech therapist!

Shaylene - posted on 08/17/2010

My little boy didn't start talking until he was 2, other than mama, baba...basically what you listed. It was stressful and I felt like I was to blame. Honestly unless there are behavioral issues as well don't worry about it. My little guy literally woke up one morning and said "good morning mummy" just like that all of a sudden he could talk fine. Just give him time, sometimes we as parents put too much pressure on our kids and ourselves. And just keep an eye out for behavior.

Kristen - posted on 08/17/2010

I have an 18 month old step son and he says very few words. I would discuss it with his doctor and see when or if you should be concerned

Abbie - posted on 08/17/2010

Also, my pediatrician said that by 18 months they should be able to say at least one word besides mama or dada and by 2 years they should have about 20 words. You're right in line with that!! :)

Abbie - posted on 08/17/2010

My son is 19 months old and he has just finally starting talking--he has about 15 words he can say now, but that was not the case a month ago. He has had quite a few ear infections as well, but my pedi did not think this is the problem. He said some kids just "become cave men" (grunt and point) b/c it is easier than saying words. It still drives me crazy to see other kids half his age talking more than him--it makes me feel like I'm not doing a good job as a mom. So, know that you are not alone and that most likely it will happen with time! Good luck!

Candi - posted on 08/17/2010

Heck i kinda wish my grandson had that problem, lol! By the time he was 14 months old he had at least 100 words in his vocab., now at 22 months old, he has well over 300 and can say 4 to 5 word sentences as well as speak 20 words in spanish and understands everything he is saying .

Kimberley - posted on 08/17/2010

Your son sounds exactly like mine! He is about the same age, too. He also says flower and kitty but only so that I can understand them. The doctor doesn't seem concerned, and I have read that boys are sometimes a bit slower with regards to language development - that they are more concerned with moving around and figuring things out. If you are really worried, though, you should check with your doctor, but I am sure he is just fine. :)

Camille - posted on 08/17/2010

Mine was only saying a few words at that age. She only really started talking at 17 months or so. My pediatrician says she's ahead for her age. Maybe those babies you see are actully a couple months older!

Christine - posted on 08/16/2010

He is still very young, mine also didn't really talk much before he was between 18 and 24months at 15 months he also had a vocab of about 6 - 8 words, now he is 2 and a half and I can't get him to stop talking lol...don't worry to much. Boys are usually more fisical and less chatty at that age. If he is two and not talking then you can slowly start to worry and maybe see a speech theropist.

Rachael - posted on 08/15/2010

he is not behind. 18 months is when they start adding more but mostly its trying more maybe not making exact words but trying out new sounds.
if you realy feel like he should be saying more talk to your pediatrician

Bonnie - posted on 08/15/2010

Every child progresses at their own pace. You can't really compare one child to another. I can tell you that my son just turned 2 years old and up until about a month ago he wasn't saying all that much. Just keep encouraging him and he will be fine.

Nicole - posted on 08/14/2010

My son is going to be two in Oct. and has a very small vocabulary and the Dr. has never been too worried about it because he is fine in other developmental areas. I think the ear infections could play a big part because my son has had quite a few as well. I think as long as he isn't delayed in many different areas he is just fine. Kids develop at different rates. If you are really worried I would just have his hearing checked. Good Luck!

Kristen - posted on 08/14/2010

I promise he will talk when he is ready. My daughter was almost two before she really started to talk, but once she did, WATCH OUT, her vocab exploded! When he is ready he will start talking. A ton of kids just don't talk that early.

Stephanie - posted on 08/13/2010

I agree with everyone else...my daughter said about the same amount at 15 months and now at 18 months I swear she comes home every day from daycare knowing a new word. Sometimes she'll just say something and I will be completely surprised because it's not even something we say much- like the other night I was bathing her and asked if she enjoyed her bubble bath, and she said "Yes, Bubbal." I think you just need to concentrate on talking to your kids and introducing words you think are important. My daughter can now clearly say Please and Thank You, but it took a little work before she knew when to say them correctly. And at 16-17 months she thought if she said Please she would automatically get whatever she wanted :) Now we're working on Welcome- and hopefully You're Welcome soon to follow! ANYWAYS, I think your child is doing just fine. You could always ask your Ped about the ear infections, but it sounds like you're doing great! Just hold out for a few more months, and you'll be completely shocked what will come out of their mouth some days :) GOOD LUCK!

Jessica - posted on 08/13/2010

Hi,
My son will be 2 on Halloween. He does the same thing; he only says like 10-15 words. it really helps if you read to him. Read to him a lot. Get picture books and read them to him over and over and over. Talk to him and be very clear about what everything is, especially when he points to it. That's when my son really starting talking. Also, if you have friends that have children that are talking more than him, let them hang out together. Kids will say and do more if they see and hear it, especially when it's another kid. Hope this helps. :)

Jade - posted on 08/13/2010

Hey honey all babies start talking alot at different stages depending on if they were born late or early.My son was born 6 days early so when ever he is meant to be doing things like the books and websites give you a guide line for he wasn't till 6 days after.
Please don't worry when he's ready to start saying more he will babies have to get their tongues around alot of new words and how to day things,My son had funny noises for certain things or just pointed and made a noise xx.
My son is 21 months now and his favourite word is no and he can say it perfectly and also more when the chocolate is around x.
You should have his ears checked though as i from a child had ear infections alot and still get them now and sometimes my hearing does go funny ,a sign for hearing problems could be unbalanced or squinting from trying to hear properly.
I hope you get some comfort from everyone's words honey x.

Caitlin - posted on 08/13/2010

that's still pretty young, but if you are concerned, ask his ped. my daughter talks very well now, but that wasn't always the case. she used to say Elbo (elmo) and Bobby (mommy). I thought that was just her, but the doctor found that she pretty much always had fluid in her ears. he put her on singulair and her talking took off! she started saying more things, plus she started saying Elmo and Mommy without the Bs!

Jamie - posted on 08/13/2010

Just talk to your pediatrition about it. My friend has a daughter that is 18 months old and isn't talking much yet and she has a lot of ear infections. They are actually having a speech therapist work with her right now and the therapist thinks she is going to be fine just needs a little extra help. So I would just discuss it with the pediatrition and see what they think.

Mabyn - posted on 08/13/2010

My little girl is 17 months and she says "hi", "dog", "cat", "daddy" and "Mum", none of which is very clear (except Hi). I think that for 15 months your little boy is doing very well! Children all develop at different rates and most all kids are at the same place developmentally by age 3, so even though it seems like he might not say much now, he'll be neck and neck with other kids the same age as him as he gets older. I wouldn't worry about it as he seems to be coming along just fine :)

Hannah - posted on 08/11/2010

He is right where he needs to be. at his age he's not suppose to talk alot. most boys (not all) tend to talk later than girls. I know tons of little girls that just talk talk talk all day (ages 18months & up) and i dont know any boys (ages 18months- 24 months) that say more than one word at a time.
Did your son walk early? If so, then he is mastering his motor skills before his verbal skills.
My advice is to keep doing what your doing because he's right where he needs to be. Dont stress at all about him not talking enough. Try to focus on all the things he does really good!

Jaime - posted on 08/11/2010

My son is 17 months and doesn't say any more than your son...I'm not concerned, and honestly don't think I need to be. I think that some kids talk earlier than others. Talk to your doc if you are truly concerned and just try to encourage talking as much as you can.

Good Day! - posted on 08/11/2010

Like the others have said, don't worry about it. He's doing great! If you want to encourage him to build a bigger vocabulary all you can really do is hold conversations with him and read lots of books. My daughter (still) loves picture books that just label the different animals, objects, shapes, etc. She would point, I would say what the object was. Then I would ask her to point to something and she would correctly identify it. Now she tells me what the objects are (she's two). They know a lot more than they can speak, and one day (when they are ready) it just all comes out!

Katherine - posted on 08/11/2010

He sounds pretty much on target. Every kid develops at their own pace, but at 15 months, they don't expect tons of words. Plus, on average (obviously there are exceptions) boys talk later than girls. My son pretty much didn't say much until he turned 2. He's almost 3 now, and all he does is talk!

Shannon - posted on 08/08/2010

Boys Do not usually talk as much or as soon as girls. This amount of words at 15 months is normal but if u are concerned talk to his pediatrician.

Tiffany - posted on 08/08/2010

Mine didn't start talking until he was three and he is seeing a speech therapy person to help him with his talking. Some Times you can understand what he is trying to say other times you can't. We started to make him say what he wants before we gave it to him alot of tough love. Since yours is only 15 months old wait until he turns 1 or 2 if he is still not saying that many words bye then.. take him to a speech tharapist They have helped my son start talking and he is doing awesome.

April - posted on 08/08/2010

all babies are different. I have worked in child care for 10 years and have seen kids over 2 not talking, because the gunting and pointing gets the parents to know what they want.
I have a 11.5 mth old and I've been doing sign language with her. I truely believe that the sign language is what has helped her have so many words. She currently has 17 words and 4 signs that she does.
I suggest trying to learn some sign language and being very persistant with it. It's a great way to help the children break the frustation screaming because they're able to tell you what's wrong, or if they're hungry and what not.
Check your local library for American Sign Language *asl* books, or check online.

Good luck!!

Jessica - posted on 08/08/2010

Every child develops at there pace.

Kelli - posted on 08/07/2010

My son is 15 months as well and says just as much as yours. :) My pediatrician advised me that at 15 months she only expects him to say 5 or so words, but around the 18 month mark he'll start really talking, and she is looking for him to say about 25 words. My son seems to be learning a new word every week or so, and he's only had 2 ear infections. The best way to get them to start talking is to talk to them and get excited when you hear a new word. I'm constantly asking my son questions, and we look at picture books a lot, I point out the names of the objects in the pics, I will say this is a choo choo train, it goes... chugga chugga chugga chugga... LOL! Stuff like that. My pediatrician also told me to start teaching body parts also, so that would be a fun one to work on.Don't worry, sounds like he's perfectly normal, and keep in mind, even a child who is only a month older can be quite a bit more developed. Your best bet is to not compare your child to another child... it's just frustrating. :)

Nikki - posted on 08/07/2010

My son is 14 months and says Mama, Dada, Dog, Katta, Baaat(bath) and Baaaal(ball) and Baba and makes some animal noises. We were just at my ped and I asked why is wasnt talking more and he said his vocabulary was plenty for his age and that I was expecting too much, so I really dont think you have anything to worry about. Just keep naming everything, so he learns more, and boys arent usually big chatterboxes like little girls.