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To be very worried about the fact my child doesn’t speak?

64 replies

Gettp · 26/05/2024 21:40

Ds is nearly 19 months. He can say ‘mama’ and ‘dads’ and ‘feet.’ That’s it.

I am very worried I am doing something wrong. I’ve tried to encourage him to say words or point to animals etc in a book and repeat the word but he just will not.

In terms of what he knows… if I say we need to put socks on he will lift his feet before I’ve even got the socks. He knows what a biscuit is, what his milk is etc as when I ask if he wants either of those things then he will smile excitedly or reach out his hands. He will also point to things that he wants or to the cupboard where his food is etc. But I can’t get him to say ‘milk,’ even if I said do you want milk or biscuit it’s like he can’t tell me which. I’ve tried all sorts to get him to speak more and I’m really worried. The GP said it didn’t matter and was no help and health centre/place where you can drop in just said to keep an eye but it was unusual?! Anyone got any experience?

OP posts:
WithACatLikeTread · 26/05/2024 21:50

Willtheraineverstop · 26/05/2024 21:47

When you look at this, he's pretty spot on 🙂

Thanks for that. Makes me feel even more aware my son is behind. 😬

TemuSpecialBuy · 26/05/2024 21:49

My Dd was really similar I read up at the time and the consensus seemed to be if their understanding was good don’t sweat it.
at 20m my Dd had mama dada and arghhhh and that was about it.

But my Dd could follow simple instructions and understand what we were saying (low level/ age appropriate stuff)

her language exploded at about 23-25m and now she loves chatting

it’s too early to be concerned but I understand why and was there myself

Shutupyoutart · 26/05/2024 21:49

also, has he had his hearing checked ?

bridgetreilly · 26/05/2024 21:48

No need to worry until he’s two.

Cuppateatea · 26/05/2024 21:48

I was going to suggest some Makaton signs to help him to communicate. Definitely not unusual at all sounds perfectly normal to me.

Shutupyoutart · 26/05/2024 21:47

hi op. first of all you are not doing anything wrong so please don't go down that road of blaming yourself, you sound like a terrific mum who wants the best for her little boy. you are already doing lots to encourage his speech, keep doing those things cos it can't hurt. he is still so young and language is such a funny thing some kids speak very early and others it takes a little bit longer..my son was practically non verbal til he was almost 3 I now can not shut him Up lol. sounds like your son has really good receptive language skills too as he understands and responds to what you say. does he babble or make sounds with his mouth ? keep an eye but try not to worry I'm sure the words will come when he's ready. x

Willtheraineverstop · 26/05/2024 21:47

When you look at this, he's pretty spot on 🙂

To be very worried about the fact my child doesn’t speak?
StrongandNorthern · 26/05/2024 21:47

Far, far too young to be worrying.
They're all different.
Give him time.

WithACatLikeTread · 26/05/2024 21:46

Sounds similar to my son who is two years three months. He can understand perfectly a lot of what you say but doesn't say many words at the moment although he has managed to copy some of the signs from Mr Tumble recently! We are waiting for a hearing appointment at the moment.

RoseGoldEagle · 26/05/2024 21:45

Sounds within normal expectations for 18 months. My DS was saying only a handful of words at 2, and I did worry a bit then, but the HV said it wasn’t uncommon. By 2.5 he’d come on loads and was chatting a lot more. He’s 5 now and doesn’t stop chatting.

wiggywoowoo · 26/05/2024 21:44

I can remember worrying about DD when she was little, she didn't really say much until she was 2. She's 8 now and very articulate! Don't worry! x

WarriorPrincess24 · 26/05/2024 21:44

Willtheraineverstop · 26/05/2024 21:41

He's still really little

Nothing to worry about yet, honestly

My son is very similar and he's almost two. He only says daddy. And I'm not even sure he knows what it means. He doesn't point or anything like yours does. He gets his shoes if I tell him to but tbh it sounds like your child is ahead of mine and mines older. I wouldnt sorry perhaps until he's a few months older. Sounds like he's making good progress to me. Again, I'm only comparing to my boy so I could be wrong.

Willtheraineverstop · 26/05/2024 21:41

He's still really little

Nothing to worry about yet, honestly

Gettp · 26/05/2024 21:41

He also knows what shoes are as he will go to them when I say shoes on. And he will take instruction like clapping or pointing to his head or nose etc. But he won’t actually repeat words.

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