18 month DS not talking (at all)

[ifeelthesame]

Hi there

Should I be concerned that DS 18 months isn't speaking yet?

He babbles away and seems to understand a lot of what we say to him but he hasn't uttered a single word.... well except 'ta' when he wants something!

My Ds is the same (although only 15 1/2months)

He has occasionally said Mama and dada but more like mamamama dadadada and not in context I don't think.

He seems to be learning some new physical thing every day though, climbing the stairs, coming back down, getting off the sofa without falling, climbing the garden gate etc so I figure he's getting all the physical stuff out of the way first.

He's also very independant so if he wants something to eat or drink, play/read he toddles of and gets it so he actually has no reason to start talking iygwim.

I don't think there's anything to worry about yet. IIRC a HV or GP won't do anything until 2/2 1/2 yrs old.

As long as your child is babbling then he can technically speak. But he has no need to speak, I'm guessing, because you anticipate his needs and do everything for him. It will help to encourage him to use real words.... if he wants something, for example, hold off handing it to him until he tries the word out. And if he says something approaching the right word - big praise every time.

Give him reasons to need speech and speech will emerge

DS was the same, I eventually mentioned it to my HV and within a few weeks he is suddenly aquiring a few words - I think he didn't need to talk, and had trouble getting a word in with a very chatty DD!

He is now 19m and no Mummy, but says 'don't know', oh no, goal! Sweeties and Yes.

It's a start. And he jabbers nonsense all day.

We spoke to the HV with concerns over DD at 2.5. By then she was saying a few words. They said that if they did an assessment it would just be to see if DD understood what was being said and she did. She has just turned 3 and is chatting away now.

He can understand enough to know that Ta gets him something which is a good start. Can he follow simple instructions? Like put that on the coffee table plaase?

TBH they all develop at different rates and I think he sounds pretty normal.

Yes he can follow simple instructions, like if I ask him to get a book or something (doesn't always but I think that is him chossing not to rather than not understanding!) and in every other way he seems very alert and happy. Like your DS lifeas3plus1, he is physically very active and into everything. He chats away to me, and then looks quite perplexed that I dont know what he is saying!

I've always tried not to even worry about when he 'should' be doing things - my gut feel is absolutely fine and will talk in his own time, but you know what its like... you see all the babies his ages saying at least a few words and your mind goes into overdrive!

Thank you all for your reassurance and will try what you suggested chil1234

I have a DS who, like yours, would yakkity yak morning noon and night. We called it 'burbling' He did have quite a few single words by 18mo but I distinctly remember him hitting 2yo and a friend asking 'are you not worried that he isn't speaking?' Three months later we went on holiday and a total stranger complimented me on 'such an articulate little boy'. The burbling had magically cleared and he went from single words to quite lengthy sentences! He hasn't shut up since (groan)

So keep encouraging him at every opportunity but don't panic unduly.

DD didn't say a single word until 19mo (then only papa and mama)... she spoke in full sentences at 21mo- she was just biding her time. Dont worry- if he has understanding thats the main thing.

I was just going to post the same as monmatre - DS said very little up until 20ish months. I was starting to worry that his speech was slow. We then went on holiday with him saying little more than "dad" (which had been his constant chant since about 12 months), he didn't even say mummy. By the time we came back 2 weeks later he was saying I'd guess over 100 words, and by the time he was about 21 months was speaking in complex sentences - people are always remarking on how articulate he is now for a nearly 2 year old. Is he your first? DS doesn't have any siblings yet, and the holiday that I'm referring to was with friends who have a very chatty then almost 3 year old - I really think the time spent with him was what made DS suddenly want to make himself heard (he doesn't go to nursery so contact with other children until then was limited to short bursts at groups and visits to friends).

Oh he sounds just like ds2. He's 2.5 now and although still quite behind his peers he is definately making progress. I'm hoping pre school will also help.

I'd go with your instincts then. It can be hard, like you say, when all your friend's DC are talking and yours isn't. Just try to remember that early talking is not a sign of higher intelligence. DH has a brain the size of a planet and didn't walk or talk till 2 and neither did my Sister. They've both got degrees and good jobs.

He sounds lovely.

It will come. My DS is 19months and was just saying Dada a month ago. He now says:
Go Go Go
Bye
Hi ya
Cat
Duck
Quack Quack (for every animal )
Mama
Dad
Up
Is it
There it is
Here it is

Oh, and answers "yes" to every question we ask of him

Oh gosh, I just read that back and it sounded really "isn't my DS great". What I meant to say, OP, is that I was having the same thoughts a month ago and he has come on leaps and bounds in weeks.

When I was worrying, I was often told to give it until he's 2. Have often heard of children that didn't utter a word until then and now don't shut up

Thank you all so much, you have really put my mind at rest. Up until now I've really tried not to buy into all that they 'should' be doing something at certain times - I think I need to get back to that.

BambinoBoo - it didn't come accross at all like that, its very useful to know what others babies are saying around the same age.

I'm sure he is great anyway