Late talker- 15mo

[preggers3]

My DS (my first) says our pet’s name and that’s it. He said this around 13mo and hasn’t really expanded his vocabulary since. Just wondering if anyone has experience with late talking and how is your experience with HV’s at 15mo? I know many milestones are only really considered at 18mo but obviously want to work with a professional to help him out ASAP.

He has said dada but not consistently and has yet to really say mama. He babbles a ton, most of it is conversational and combined with hand movements, he clearly understands some words for objects and can find things for me in other rooms. He also laughs a lot and is very cheeky. Was an earlier walker- took his first steps at 11mo and I never had to encourage his walking as it was his natural inclination from the start to move. Very different experience with talking. He waves when I say bye bye (usually) and claps when I clap or say “clap your hands”. These gestures weren’t really consistent until 13-14mo. He points with an open hand, no index finger yet (I’m monitoring that too).

Posted before I finished! Just to add- I’m not really concerned about ASD, just that he’s a late talker. He’s a very social child, eats anything, and very expressive. His dad was a late talker (with no other issues) and saw a therapist and he was similar to our DS as a baby according to my MIL- really into walking, very inquisitive and cheeky.

I wouldn't worry at 15 months. They are all very variable.

My daughter is 26 months and only now started speeding up with talking.
Apparently I only started talking at 2.5 years...
As you said your partner was a late talker. Maybe he just got that side of the genes

I really don't think there's any need to worry yet, my DS was only saying a couple of words at his 18 month check and the health visitor wanted to refer him for speech therapy. But by the the time she rechecked him at 24 months he was talking in sentences.

Thanks all… may hold off with HV until 18mo. I’m just the type to want to do something to help him out and feel like I’m doing everything they say to do when with him- baby sign, reading every day, talking a lot, etc. Don’t want him to feel frustrated not being able to communicate… and he has started signing so hopefully he picks up more signs.

Have heard milestones can be genetic and does seem like he’s following my DH’s footsteps in general with his personality. Think if I did take him to therapy it would be more for me so I could get some tips on helping him. His language will come when it comes…and I’m sure when it does will be full force 😅

@Itsagrandoldteam amazing progress with your DS, that’s fab. I do hear language can come on very quickly when it does happen!

My daughter was probably only saying one or two words at that age too and seemed to have fairly poor understanding as well as couldn't follow any instructions. Many people told me not to worry and that she would get there, and they were right! Her speech and understanding has snowballed since then, and now at 18.5 months she can say about 20 words and follows instructions really well. Tell yourself not to worry until at least 18 months plus because they change so quickly.