My DS is 19 Months and has 0 Words. He is so so vocal, always screeching in response to things, and babbles non stop all day (a lot of GAGAGA and nonsense), but no words at all. He was walking by 11 months, and seems on track and fine in other areas, playing etc. He loves duplo/blocks, making towers, and puts his toys all in lines, and in sections of colours, drawing with chalk/pens, can "ish" spoon feed himself. Just no words.
I know he understands a lot of words, and has favourite nursery rhymes etc which he responds to. If you say for example "Who's at the door?" he will run to the door, that sort of thing. And when his favourite nursery rhymes come on he gets very excited. I try a lot of speech therapy videos, when he hears "mama" for example he looks at me, gets excited and smiles his head off, but looks like hes struggling to get the words out, and usually shouts GAGA at me.
He doesn't point to anything, never has. I've tried so hard to get him to do this but he doesn't seem interested in doing it.
He has only just started to clap, but does it okay, and in response to songs and things like that. The same with waving, that only started in the past month, and its sporadic.
Responding to commands is about 20/80, I think he just ignores it most of the time. I don't think there's any issue with his hearing as he hears a wrapper being opened from rooms away
He's a very very very happy toddler, always laughing and smiling. He's not the most affectionate, you will very rarely get a hug or kiss. Although he does run to me for comfort when he's upset or hurts himself.
I've tried everything, Books, Books with Sounds, Puzzles, Puzzles with Sounds, Flash Cards, Youtube Videos, I narrate every single part of his day and everything he does. It just doesn't feel like theres been any progression whatsoever.
His father and I are separated, since around 6 months. And every time he picks him up/drops him off he is constantly going on about him not talking yet and saying something must be wrong with him, as others his age are talking loads. And it just makes me feel like crap tbh like I'm failing and not doing enough.
With being a "lockdown" baby, he hasn't had much interaction with other babies/toddlers. He started Nursery just after turning 12 months, but as I am on a single income, and work full time, I can only afford one day a week. I don't know if this has hampered things or not.
So I'm just torn between me thinking he's perfectly fine and to just carry on what I'm doing and give him time, but then I get my confidence knocked again from his Dad and then doubt everything again and wonder what else I can do.
Any advice or similar past experiences would be appreciated. Thank you.