To ask about your toddlers speech? High pitched voice

[RollingWithMyGnomies]

Not the most exciting AIBU but really wanted to hear from others about their children’s speech at about 18 months.

I have two boys. My eldest has autism along with a whole host of other SEN and I’ll be honest I’m super paranoid about finding signs in the youngest.

He seems absolutely typical in all respects, his speech is probably quite advanced apart from he sometimes talks in a really squeaky voice. Is this a phase or something I should keep an eye on? He truly has no other red flags, but from googling everything said autism! Any experiences from others would be great, thank you.

Next time he does it, try saying "speak normally, I can't understand you", and see if the high pitch "switches off". If he can, probably just a phase.

Saying that though, 18 months is still a baby. He might not understand what you're asking. If he's still doing it in a year from now, it might be worth investigating. But for now I think it would be hard to investigate.

Thank you really appreciate the reply, I hadn’t thought of doing that. He understands quite a lot so hopefully might work if it’s a phase.

And what happens if he is speaking normally for him? You'd basically telling him his voice is not normal!

Yes ds2 was an early talker with a squeaky voice. By the time he entered reception class it was no different to his peers. He's an adult now and his voice is completely normal. I still tease him occasionally over how he used to talk though.

I really don't think its a big deal, he's only little, definitely don't bring it up with him you don't want to put him off speaking! Maybe he's autistic, maybe he's not, it's probably a bit too early to tell. But i don't think its uncommon when they are little to speak in high pitched voice, my 6 yr old boys is still quite high pitched.

My toddler talks in a high pitched voice if she is talking to her babies or pretending to be a baby, or if she is doing certain anaimals impressions. Sometines she talks in a very rough growl type voice if she is doing a dinosaur impression. They just try out sounds and mimic sounds they hear, as long as he isn't trying to talk like that all the time he probably just likes how it sounds in his head sometimes!

Thank you for the replies, it’s reassuring to know that it can be something children just go through.

And yes thinking about it it’s not fair to start testing an 18 month old just to ease my anxieties, which most likely are totally unfounded. Thanks everyone