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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

16 month old not talking

10 replies

MustBeThursday · 16/07/2015 15:46

Just wondered if anyone else had had a late talker? DD is approaching 16 months and she makes several different sounds she doesn't have any words yet.

She shakes her head no (eg when she doesn't want something you are offering), and understands things (as far as I can tell) like no, come here, play peepo. She will sometimes repeat back "ah ah" or copy blowing raspberries, but won't copy other sounds - she just does those randomly.

I do lots of songs and try to read to her, not that she's all that interested in the books atm. I don't know what to do to encourage speech more.

She was quite early crawling, standing, walking. I have no others to compare to for speech.

OP posts:

flanjabelle · 16/07/2015 15:49

Dd wasn't saying much at that age, and like your dd was early with all the physical things. she had mumma and dadda down then, but not much else.

She is now 21mo and has close to a hundred words, is stringing them together and picks up new ones every day. it really took off at about 19mo.

My hv said that early walkers are often late talkers.

One thing I tried was speaking to dd in shorter easier sentences. she seemed to start parroting words back to me. it must be easier when there are only a few to focus on.

Original poster

MustBeThursday · 16/07/2015 17:35

Thanks, Flanjabelle. She may well pick up in a few months then. I'll try and keep the sentences shorter!

I've been putting off going to the HV about it, to be honest, I'm worried they'll think I'm incompetent.

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NickyEds · 16/07/2015 21:44

I'm struggling with my ds's speech. He's almost 19 months and has very few words. He'll say daddy, doddy(dummy) and make several animal noises- he understands a lot though. The thing that's worrying me is, like your dd he won't mimic sounds back at me and he seems to be getting quite upset when I try and encourage him to talk. I see friends kids of the same age and even if they don't know what they're saying they copy sounds back. Ds is also very physical so that might be something?? I've been putting off going to the hv too but I think it's time. I have heard that speech is often something that "clicks" so when they get it they can come on very quickly so here's hoping.

verystressedmum · 16/07/2015 21:57

Dd1 was 16 months when she said her first word.
I was very worried about her lack of speech as I thought it may indicate a problem but after that word she started speaking more and it was fine. She's now 15 and at grammar school.

Giltz · 26/07/2015 02:35

My little girl is 17 months and says few words. Mum,dad,bananna
,yum.Nothing else seems to be sticking, she very rarely mimics unless its on her terms!I have an older DD who was chatting away at this age and even though I try not to compare sometimes its hard not to feel worried. I am sure she will talk when she is ready!

Milkyway1304 · 26/07/2015 08:51

My 15month old has no clear words either, and it's hard not to worry. Especially when you see other babies of her age chattering. However she is pointing, waving, and mimicking our actions (babbling into a phone, brushing her hair etc) so she is communicating which is the important thing I think?

BernardBlack · 26/07/2015 08:57

Ds is 23 months and says 'oh wow' and that's it His understanding is good though. Am hoping he'll be one of these kids that says nothing until they're 2.5 then start speaking in full sentences!

EmFlat · 26/07/2015 20:04

Saw this thread and thought 'thank God!' - my 17 month old DS is also a babbler with no discernible words. He wasn't an especially early walker, either, so I have been thinking I'm doing something wrong!

He's got his own little way of chatting and he knows how to get his meaning across: he points well, recognises things you ask him to identify, but just can't parrot sounds or words. His peers are all quite linguistically eloquent O_O so I hope he's just a late bloomer too!

He does have a dummy, which I'm trying to reduce during the day.

Original poster

MustBeThursday · 02/09/2015 11:24

Just an update in case anyone is interested in reassurance!

I have been to see the HV and had a chat about DD's speech. She wasn't massively concerned, said there were some kids who are still at that level at their 2yr3m review, but if I was still worried she could come and do the review early at 2yr to check in with her. So I'm to ring them early March if I feel it's needed.

She has done me a referral to join a sort of language support group for 18m-5yr olds, but I get the impression that was more for my peace of mind...

OP posts:

Flingmoo · 05/09/2015 15:26

Mine is 15 months and the only clear word he says is "gone". He understands loads, is quite good at followimg instructions, and tries to say other words, but his mouth hasn't caught up with his brain. He says "muh" for milk and "tuh" for toast, usually just makes the first letter of the word. He does quite a few animal and vehicle noises but no proper words.

I don't know at what point he'll be considered "behind" though.

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