18 months no words

[Hatetidyingthehouse]

I know this topic has been done to death. Anyone else in or been in the same situation. Plenty of babbling and pointing but no words which mean anything

DS 2 was just like this and because DS1 was practically talking in sentences by this age I contacted my health visitor who put in a referral to SALT (appointment takes ages to come through so best started early). By his 2 year check he was still exactly the same and his first SALT appointment came through. He was diagnosed with a severe expressive language delay and had SALT sessions regularly for the next 9 months. Gradually the words started to come and his frustration was eased greatly by the use of sign language.

By the time he started reception he was undistinguishable from all the other 4 year olds. He is now 8 and my head sometimes aches with the non stop chatter!

Go to the HV and get hearing tested and a referral for speech and language therapy. As other poster said, help is available but sooner is much better then later as it will be easier to catch up .

I agree that there is no harm in just mentioning it to the health visitor and getting started early as it does take ages to get anything done.
DS was like this. We did mention it to the health visitor at 2 year check but unlike the previous poster we were told to just wait and see ( he was a boy, a second child, first child spoke early etc) as he was babbling lots and understanding everything, they didn't see it as a problem. He didn't improve, he was talking but nothing that could be understood by anyone but us. He was refered when he was three (added to the problems with waiting we moved in this time again so had to start again with waiting lists). He started therapy at four and now at five he is much the same as his class mates (in fact his articulation is actually better than a couple of them). It's great now ( even though he never stops) but I do wish we had been about to get going sooner for him.
Having said all of that, lots of children do have a language explosion around the age of 2 so this could be your DS.

Oh yes, hearing test should be ruled out too.

My DS babbled etc but didn't say his first word until he was just gone 2! Within a few months he was talking in sentences! He doesn't stop talking now! Lol.

No harm in mentioning it to the HV but I wouldn't panic yet, unless you feel any other areas are a worry too. X

Thanks. It's one worry after another Isn't it. He seems 'normal' in every other respect so will mention it if he gets to 2

at 18 months I would not panic yet re lack of words. Might be worth getting a hearing test sorted just to make sure there is no underlying hearing issue.

BUT, at 18 months understanding and non-verbal communication are far more important that speech.

so, does he understand what you are saying? can he follow simple instructions? does he point? follow a point? does he bring things to you to show you etc? if that is the case I would not worry at that stage.

Thanks. His understanding is reasonable and he points and brings toys etc. he can make the sound of a snake also . Hearing fine as of he hears a song he likes he will run in from another room to where the sound is . Hopefully the words will come