Should my child be saying words yet?

[FoolOfATook]

Hi, my ds is almost 18 months. He was 2 months premature. He doesn't really say any words mama and dada but I don't think he connects them to myself and his dad. He points at things he's interested in and makes a sound like 'as at'. He shouts when he's frustrated it wants something.

Just wondered where his development should be? I know all children develop at different rates.

Also posted in the preemies section.

Well my son is 21 months and no further along than yours, and yes that worries me. He is saying about four words but understands lots and will go and pick up the ball/duck/toy that we've asked for.

I am sure there are lots of 18 month olds who can say lots of words, but I'm also sure there are plenty who aren't. I wouldn't be overly concerned, don't know if you are in contact with the HV but might be worry mentioning it to her and see if they think it's cause for concern.

My 6yo had no words at 19m. My 3yo had no words at 19m. By 2.6 each of them was indistinguishable from his peers.

The HV at the time said they wouldn't be interested until at least the second birthday, and a referral would be far later. Anecdotally I find "late" talkers explode with words around the second birthday.

In the meantime, make sure you are helping. Talk lots but leave space for your child to respond. Perhaps be slower to guess/interpret for them.

Hope things work out well. It's far too early to panic. Enjoy the peace while it lasts.

MrsHathaway I've heard the same and it's the only thing that's containing my concern.

Thanks for the replies. He is happy to babble to himself!

He seems quite bright, he understands most things. If I ask him to find his shoes/monkey/cup etc he will get them. If I ask when the cat is he'll go and find her.

He can use my iPad better than I can?! He's good at shape sorters, building towers, uses his cutlery well, good coordination.

He was late with crawling which he didn't do until 10 months and then started walking at 14 months.

NewEra yours honestly sounds like mine. Please do try to chill out. And step away from baby books ;)

My ds was v similar in terms of milestones. He didn't really talk until age 2. He is now nearly 6 and doing extension work at school (whatever the f that means!) my dds were far earlier to talk. Dd2 is saying many recognisable words at 14 months and I think if anything dd 1 was earlier! Dd1 is at least one year ahead academically but clearly ds is also doing well and really the late to talk was not an issue!

Ds1 was born at 33+5. Was delayed in some things but caught up more noticeably after turning 1. Also walked around 14 months. He couldn't say 5 words at 18 months but babbled lots. But it suddenly ramped up incredibly and now at 4 he doesn't stop talking, has very clear speech and I think is actually ahead of his peers! Your son sounds on track to me. Wouldn't worry about the speech just yet, sounds like he understands and is communicating.

He points at things he's interested in and makes a sound like 'as at'.

Presumably his version of "what's that?"

It sounds like he is doing just fine, I know plenty of kids who were later talkers and they don't shut up now.

I don't think you need to worry.

Ds barely said anything at 18 months (one or two words max) then launched straight into sentences shortly after his second birthday.

Receptive language is much more important than expressive at that age. Does he understand simple instructions ("pass the book to mummy"). One in four kids are speach delayed. Most kids go through a language explosion sometime from 18 to 39 months when suddenly they learn many new words a day, stalk using more complicated phrases etc. Slow talkers tend to catch up during this time.

If he's not speaking by two I'd probably get him evaluated and look into speech therapy because even though he'd probably catch up on his own its much more effective when done early. If you don't want to wait try the book "it takes two to talk" it has loads if advice about how you can encourage speech at home (most of speech therapy s just teaching arenas what they can do at home). Baby dog language is aso incredibly for language development and preventing frustration I slow talkers.

At this stage though you have no cause to be unduly worried. As long as you're talking to your son and reacting when he attempts to communicate you redoing everything right.

Oops typing on iPad that should be 18 to 30 months and talking not stalking!

My youngest is 21 months and has only really had (unclear, but clearly used to mean certain things) for about three months. It really was just babbling, then came together very quickly to now show clear asking questions - 'Whassat?', calling other family members by names, repeating names of things.

Much slower than the elder ones! I wouldn't worry yet.

Aaaagh that should also be baby sign language not dog language!!