21month old son not talking yet. Should I worry?

[ilovemyoboe]

My 21 month old little boy (our first) isn't talking yet. I'm not sure whether to worry or not. All his little friends seem to be talking so it's hard when he isn't. I know I shouldn't compare, but at the same time, if there is a problem then the sooner I can get help the better.

He knows lots of words, and can understand and follow simple instructions, so I don't think there's an issue with his hearing. He just doesn't seem interested in talking though. He's always been very easy going and a happy little boy, very smiley. Doesn't really chatter much though.

Was going to go to the next drop-in session with the speech and language therapist at our local SureStart centre. Is this an over-reaction?

Please please don't worry about this.

I know it is difficult when all the others are talking, but I know of two little boys (unrelated) who did not utter a word until after their second birthday.

That said, a friend of mine told me that one of the most common reasons for delayed speech is a hearing problem, but if your ds can understand instructions then I don't think that is a problem for you.

HTH

Hello, I've experienced this on two sides. My DS was an early talker and spoke in full sentences at 18 months and by age two was very fluent. My DD is now 2 and a half and is only just starting to put three or four words together but like your DD she understands everything and can follow instructions.I was worried when she was just two as she had no words at all but she suddenly seems to be developing her speech and we have done nothing special to stimulate her.

No harm at all in popping in to the SureStart Centre to mention this . If a child does need a little extra help with the SALT then it usually takes a while to start sessions , as a long waiting list .

My dt's needed Speech and language sessions . It took three months until first initial appt .
At two they could say all of three words or so .

Can I just join in here as I have 21 month old twin boys, one of whom has no words yet, and no inclination to talk it seems.

I've recovered from my earlier panic as he also follows instruction well and although is much quieter (in all ways) than his brother seems to be otherwise developing normally.

I'm trying to give him a bit more one-to-one time as I've noticed that my attention flits quickly between them, but intend to talk to my HV if there is no great improvement in the next few weeks.

Much googling seems to suggest that many children still aren't talking at this age, but that health professionals will take your worries seriously. If I had a SLT I could drop in to I would definitely be there.

Hope your worries are unfounded and I'd be interested in hearing any suggestions from the SLT.

Thank you for your replies everyone, really appreciated. It's very encouraging to hear about other children who didn't talk until they were 2+ but had no problems.

HoorahHilda - Good point about the long waiting list for an SLT. I will pop along to the drop-in session.

Rattling - Will post back here if you'd like and let you know what the SLT suggested. The next one is on 8th March. (If I haven't updated here by about a week after that, feel free to message me as I might have forgotten!)