Another speech thread - My son is nearly 20 months and no words. Bit worried.

[StacyP]

ds2 is nearly 20 months old and says the following:

bye bye
dada (but to Daddy he says just da)
bubu for bubble
ga for garden
boo for book
He points at everything and says "deh" or "dah"

He understands everything I say to him and can make himself understood through grunting and pointing.

ds1 is 3 and his speech has always been very advanced for his age. When he was 2 he had the speech of a 3 year old. ds1 is 20 months and probably has the speech of a one year old (if that).

My Mother says I should now get him some speech therapy. Part of me thinks he will get there in his own time, but I am a little worried. What do you think? Does he have a problem?

I wouldnt worry yet he has a few words and understands what you are saying to him. He is still only young. I wouldnt worry until he is 2.5 and says only the same but at the minute hes probably to busy exploring and why talk when you are already understood?

I think that sounds ok TBH. When my DS was 16 months old, he could say ball, mum, dad, nan.
He is now almost 3 and honestly doesn't stop talking. I think it may be harder for you as you have a child that was an early talker so there is a big difference between them.
I had it the other way, DD had delayed speech so hardly said anything until she was nearly 3. So when my DS talked earlier and didn't stop, I was fascinated.

There is no harm in getting your DS checked out by the HV, but I don't think they would do anything at this stage other than advise you.

no -- he has no problem... my DS did not have that at 20 months and then at 2 started to speak in almost compelete sentances...he is now 5 and has an above average vocab and use of language. I think as long as they understand what you are saying and are trying to speak as he is then all is OK.... it is quite common for some kids not to be talking by 2... I know at least 5 and they are all chatterboxes now... that might be the only downside to it!!

I've said this on other speech thread He sounds exactly like my DS2. My DS1 was advanced with his language like yours, DS2 barely uttered a word before he started nursery at 2 (2 full days). Like yours, he had a few words, and communicated i his own way. There was no stopping him after that. I assume it was a case of not having to speak and also just comparing unfavourably with a more vocal older sibling.

Your DS2 is pointing and communicating so there probably isn't a problem but it all boils down to how you feel. You could have a hat with your GP or HV if you're really worried.

Phone your HV. That's what they're there for. Chances are you're being over cautious, but wouldn't it be nice for someone to confirm that? Is hearing ok? It's easy to check. Speech therapy is most effective pre 5, so they tell us, so if there is a problem, you should know about it sooner rather than later, so then you can do something. Look at what he is doing as well as what he isn't. He's communicating effectively with you - that's a big plus. There are some children manage fine at home and hardly speak a word til school then they suddenly have to speak to communicate with all these new people. Maybe he will get there in his own time. I've got one who spoke early and a lot and still hasn't stopped (age 9) and one who has speech & language therapy and had to use Makaton signs for a couple of years before the words started coming. She's a great communicator, not a lot of it verbal, and has a good grasp of language and a great sense of humour! If your worried, get some reassurance from someone who knows what they're talking about.

Bob has just been a guinea pig for some trainee doctors doing their paediatric normal child development module.

When the prof. got to speech he said not to worry as long as they have 20-25 words at 2 years.

He mentioned the Denver Development Chart, you could try googling for that.

It sounds as though he's doing well. He understands what you say to him and is able to point and let you know what he wants. This is far more important than having x number of words.

When my ds1 had his 2yr check a couple of years ago the HV said that although the guidelines usually say "20 words at 24 months" a child with 6 words is still within the normal range. Your ds has at least 5 already and still has another 4 months to go.

Stacy, is he a very active child? Is he good at walking/jumping/running, throwing a ball etc? If he is then I would say that that is part of the reason why he isn't talking so much - he's concentrating on his physical skills!

Both my dds were very early and voluble talkers, but one didn't walk until she was 14 months, and the other until she was 15 months - so I had the opposite situation to you. I didn't worry overmuch as the HV said they are simply concentrating on language and the physical stuff will follow (it did!). HTH.

I think it's normal. DS2 didn't really start saying too much until he hit 2 and then it came on really quickly.

Don't worry!

Sounds pretty ok to me too. DS was very late talking - only about 4 words at 20 months. Saw a pediatrician at Portland Hospital in London who did developmental tests on him, partly as a favour to doctor - he had just been on the course to learn tests and needed a guinea pig so he could write a report on it. Doctor said that usually he would not have done them as he didn't see the lack of speech as a huge problem. Came out really strong in motor skills, but weak in language (was rated as a 14 month old). Pediatrician not at all worried, now DS is 2.5 years, and really chatting well, on a level with his peers. Think that some kids just do some stuff later than others.
Also, a friend of mine who is a speech therapist came to see him, and said that unless children are saying NOTHING at 2, not even sounds or grunts in response to things, then they are all considered within the margins of normal development. (You can see how worried I was about it too!)
On a more serious note, if there was something REALLY wrong, you would be sure to notice, and there would be other symptoms than just lack of speech (i.e lack of comprehension, not hearing you etc). Know how worrying it is, but am sure it will pass. Your doctor or HV should be able to help too. HTH!

Message withdrawn

I am having a similar problem at the moment with my dd. She is 18 months and saying nothing at all.
I started a thread on it last week I think and after speaking to everyone there I decided to contact my HV. She has arranged for their Nursery Nurse to come and visit, see if there really is a problem and give me some tips to possibly encourage her speech.

I think our dd hardly said anything until she was around 18 months, apart from the usual "daddy", "mummy" etc. but now almost at 21 months says around 200 words! It kind of happens overnight, so I wouldn't worry just yet.