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Original poster

18 month old barely talking - when should I worry?

24 replies

KeepsAwayTheNargles · 27/03/2016 11:46

18 month old DS babbles but doesn't talk. He says "mumumum" and "dadadadad" in a babbling way, not consistently, has a babbling noise for when he wants milk (along the lines of "blooblooble"...) and says "car" (his favourite toy) but that's it. He said "duck" on and off for about a week a few months ago then stopped Hmm

His understanding seems good, he can "put it back" etc. But I see friends' children his age requesting things by saying "please, mummy" and its kind of breaking my heart that he's not communicating yet. I know "they all get there in their own time", but when should I worry? I don't want to be over-anxious but I don't want to be lax either :( everything I've read says they should have about 20 words by now and really we only have 1! :(

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Original poster
KeepsAwayTheNargles · 27/03/2016 11:49

He's read to constantly, too - loves books and happily brings them over for me to read to him for up to an hour at a time!

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whatamess0815 · 27/03/2016 13:14

is he pointing? does he understand instructions like "get the teddy?". does he bring you things to show it to you?

if you have concerns the first step is usually a hearing test. but if he understands and communicates well nonverbally I wouldn't worry just yet.

BTW, not all children get there in the end. some never do Sad

Original poster
KeepsAwayTheNargles · 27/03/2016 13:43

He does point and show me things, that also seems less than other children. He's cuddly but seems quite introverted.

I know some don't get there, sorry for seeming flippant :( its just what people keep saying to me.

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whatamess0815 · 27/03/2016 13:58

if you are worrying about ASD, Google "M-chat." it is a quick screening questionnaire. shall hopefully put your mind to rest.

albertcampionscat · 27/03/2016 14:51

Sounds exactly like DS1 at that age. He's now nearly three and busy arguing that the plural of foot should be 'foots' not 'feet'.

albertcampionscat · 27/03/2016 14:53

Plus, 'words' at his age means any sound used consistently. So animal noises count, made up words count, the same sound for different things counts - e.g. at 2 years old 5 of DS1's words were 'ee' which meant cheese/keys and other stuff I've forgotten now.

Original poster
KeepsAwayTheNargles · 27/03/2016 16:27

albert he doesn't make any animal noises. If consistent noises count then is still only bloobleooble, mumum, dadad, car and uh-oh... Hopefully he'll be like your DS in a couple of years!

whatamess not worried about ASD, he's social but shy around strangers is all, and likes playing by himself but he's only little yet for playing with other kids.

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captaincake · 27/03/2016 19:08

Watching with interest. DS is 22m and doesn't say anything other than 'ba' for bye. He also can't follow simple instructions, can't point to the ball etc, rarely answers to his name. I have been told we don't care not to worry and have had an arguement to get a hearing test. After he's had that, which will be minimum 2 months wait, i'll take him to a private GP to see if it's normal or if there's something I need to be doing.

whatamess0815 · 27/03/2016 20:15

captain, not speaking is one thing. not understanding a whole issue all together. I have been there.

I would take him to the GP now and request/demand a referral to SALT. Problems with understanding language are less likely to so spontaneously resolve and can be indicative of something else underlying. If you have other concerns as well I would probably try to get a referral to a developmental paed too. not being able to speak at 22 months is common but not being able to follow simple instructions should be investigated. early intervention (if needed) can make a world of difference.

just don't let the GP fob you off. good luck.

albertcampionscat · 28/03/2016 11:02

I don't mean to sound dismissive of anyone's concerns and it's definitely true that not everyone 'gets there in the end'.

But I also remember being in the OP's shoes (at 17 months DS1 had exactly 2 words, neither of which were at all clear) and worrying/googling a lot. The SALT I saw privately around 24 months said that he did have a speech delay, but that since joint attention and receptive language were on track it would probably resolve itself. Which it did. Nursery definitely helped.

Ilovenannyplum · 28/03/2016 11:47

DS is 19 months, his vocabulary is ok, nothing very complex yet. We get the standard, mum, dad, car, Nan etc as well as some animal noises, please/thank you, train/choo choo, hello/bye, chocolate (yes super, thanks DP for teaching him that one) and a few others. His favourite thing to say is UH OH with a dramatic hand to the mouth, it's very sweet :)
He understands simple instructions such as take your shoes off please or please bring mummy the ball and can do actions to nursery rhymes.

He doesn't stand unaided or walk independently yet. Cruising, walking with a walker or holding our hands is fine. Standing alone clearly impossible.
This is starting to worry me now Confused

HarrysMummy17 · 28/03/2016 11:53

My ds has only really just started talking now. He was 3 last week.

He had a handful of words since being about 2 but didn't start saying mummy or daddy until last Christmas!

We've had visits with speech therapy groups, health visitors and nurses who all said as long as his comprehension is good and he's understanding and pointing to not worry too much

lovelilies · 28/03/2016 12:01

My DS barely said anything you could understand at 24m but now, 2 months later has exploded massively I.e. Yesterday he said "that car is like Nana's- well, similar "
I nearly fell over!
I think it's too soon to worry, give it til he's 2.5-3 years Smile

GlitteryFluff · 28/03/2016 12:04

Watching.

DS is 19 months and only word in context is nah for no. Babbles dada, nana and baba. No animal sounds.
He doesn't point.

But he understands a lot eg put that in the bin, turn the telly off, get mummy your blanket / dummy, we're going out (goes to front door) etc
He brings toys/books to me.

My main concern is that he spins in circles, looks out of the corner of his eyes, walks on tiptoes which all seem to point towards ASD.
But then I think it's not because he understands me. Ahhhhhh.

Suzietwo · 28/03/2016 12:09

My daughter went to nursery aged 2 and a bit without any words. Now no problem.

I have a nearly 2 year old with around -5 words (on a good day)

My eldest was speaking beautifully by 2.

I'd only be concerned if the child couldn't understand instructions or make themselves understood. However it's a pain in the arse as they seem to get really frustrated not being able to talk and whine a lot

BombadierFritz · 28/03/2016 12:11

If its just the talking, or lack of, i wouldnt worry at all for another year at least. My eldest was still barely talking at 2 1/2. He's now a v articulate teenager

NickyEds · 29/03/2016 18:15

My 2.3 year old still has very few words (10 maybe). We took him to a SALT drop in just before he turned 2 and they said he was speech delayed but it was too early to worry, we're going back in a couple of weeks. I think it's seen as far more concerning if they aren't understanding rather than not talking. It is very worrying though but tbh at 18 months I'd just keep an eye on it.

MiaowTheCat · 30/03/2016 07:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
KeepsAwayTheNargles · 30/03/2016 08:57

I'm feeling really down about this today. I have other anxiety/mild depression issues going on at the moment that I know are exacerbating it. I think he's started to try to say other words (there may have been a stab at "banana" this morning that had the right stresses but not the right sounds), and there may have been "dak" for "cat" the other day... Today is all about "car" and "uh oh" again, though he did roar when showing his friend his toy dinosaur yesterday.

I don't seem to be able to stop worrying about it though logically I don't think I really need to. Maybe I should ask to have his hearing tested, just in case?

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Original poster
KeepsAwayTheNargles · 30/03/2016 08:58

He does babble a lot and seems so think he's saying stuff - he seems very pleased with himself!

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ItsALuigi · 30/03/2016 12:22

I'm worried now too. My 3 yo doesn't speak and is being tested for autism.

I have a 20 month old DD who I thought had good language but obviously not much to compare her to and anything would seem good! She points, tries to repeat most things we say but barely uses them of her own accord. Although she can say ready steady go and tries to count to 7 but always missed number 1 and sometimes numbers in between. She can follow instructions well basic ones like get your shoes, sit down etc but can't say like more milk or milk please. I sorry constantly that I may have another child with asdSad

haxhiu79 · 14/09/2019 14:03

how is your baby Now

rubyroot · 14/09/2019 23:41

At 18 months my boy could roar, say boo, dadda, mama, nanna and baba.

Now at 20 months he can say that plus he can moo, neigh, say ball, bead, bean and mouth.

He still really doesn't say mama to get my attention, more if I'm not there or just says it randomly for fun! 😂
Yep.. That's it. I spoke to hv and she said it's fine at that age and to come back if there's still issues when he's two.

He does understand an awful lot and communicates his needs in other ways, and so I'm not overly concerned. I think you need to weigh it up in terms of understanding

rubyroot · 14/09/2019 23:43

Oh just realised zombie post

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