Anyone know anything about 18m speech / remember what own kids were like?

[Maidofmuswell]

Hello! DD was in hospital w meningitis way back in April 2019 and when we were discharged got told to keep an eye on development. All been thankfully Ok but deffo kept my mind bit more “twitchy” than ever was with DS. Anyway - I downloaded a copy of the asq18 month check which she’s in the bracket for at 17.5 months - it’s not a check they normally do here. All seems broadly ok bar speech where it asks if she’s putting words together (nope, not once ever), repeating two word phrases (once copied me saying night night train at the end of a book) and gets things from other rooms which I can’t test as we’ve got one big room downstairs but she will bring things from one side to another if asked... I know I can hear myself sounding anxious and mad. The only other thing it got me thinking is that she gets muddled sometimes so has that book you get for free when they’re one with patting your head and touching your nose and loves doing the actions and will touch her own or my head or nose when we do that if asked but sometimes if asked other times gets muddled between my nose or her nose, but I think a lot of language at this age is context based. She’s got about 20 words, very cheery, babbly, answers yes and no, waves bye bye and night night - seems light years ahead of what I think I remember ds being like at this age but can’t remember 100%. Anyway - my instinct says this is fine, but there’s an anxious voice twitching away a bit and can’t face calling HV and sounding like a crazy person - anyone got any clue if this all sounds broadly alright? Thank you!

Sounds on track to me. Putting words together is more a 2YO skill. My 26MO had only done it sporadically a couple of times by 18MO and was nearer 2 before reliably talking in sentences. She also isn't really one for parrotting and even now only parrots sporadically. Keep a lookout but know that everywhere will tell you different things. I would say if she doesn't have at least 50 words by age 2 and isn't trying to string some together by this point then you might want to mention it to the health visitor but she has a long way to go before this and I would wager she'll have more than achieved this by then. The only thing I'd say is that one thing meningitis can affect is hearing so just to be cautious I'd insist on a hearing test if she hasn't had one already as even subtle reductions can be a massive hindrance on speech. She really sounds developmentally on track though from what you say

PS; remember that these questionnaires have milestones above what you'd expect of a kid that age and it doesn't necessarily mean they're 'failing' because they aren't doing it yet. Some 18MOs are talking sentences but from experience with my own kid and other people's kids I'd say it is more in the advanced bracket than the 'most kids can do' if you get me x

Thanks so much for taking time to reply, I really appreciate it! I agree worth checking hearing - had thought was ok as always turns to sound and imitates well eg been trying to sing row your boat and not miles off the tune and sounds but looked online and looks like different ways might still be affected - will bear in mind, thank you!

Remember starting to count words my two could say at about 18 months. Twenty sounds just fine. It will soon increase.

I have 3 kids. 2 of them said their first words at age 2+ At 18m comprehension is key and a possible warning that they need their hearing or sight checked if they are behind with that. Your dd sounds right on track

Thanks so much for replying - really appreciate it. Think comprehension normally pretty ok - can get things I ask for like boots, can answer yes or no to whether she wants a drink or snack, responds to name obviously, points to right picture in a book on request. Only seems muddled about abstract questions when tired - will chill out. Thanks everyone xxx

Hi OP! I have an 18 month old son who I would say is developing normally. He probably has about 20 words of varying clarity and a tiny amount of sign language (from being taught at nursery) that he alternates with. He doesn't attempt to string words together yet, but does sometimes say a word and add the sign for please afterwards. Don't worry, it sounds like everything is fine! :)

Sounds totally fine. Two of mine didn't join words until 24 months, and even then it was just a couple of phrases. I think they had only 10 or so words at 18 months, many of them unclear.

Thanks so much everyone - massively appreciate your time and reassurance thank you!