Should I be worried about DS (19 months) lack of talking?

[Wezz]

He doesn't say anything except Dad (for everything) and some babbling which has only started recently.

Both DDs were fairly quick talkers and I try not to compare as I know all kids are different but I often wonder if he's just a late talker or if he's going to have difficulty.

Are there any signs that I should look out for that would point to him needing help and at what stage should I really become concerned?

TIA

Does he communicate in other ways? Pointing, taking you to things, showing you things etc?

Does he respond to simple instructions?

Yes that's exactly how he communicates SOH.

He understands everything that we say to him so I do tend to think that he's not talking simply because he doesn't need or want to and when he's ready he'll start.

But every now and again I think maybe there's more to it.

bump

Hi Wezz,

from what you're saying he's ok. Understanding and initiating communication with you are keys. But is there anything else that makes you wonder if there's more to it except the discrepancy with his siblings?

pointing/good understanding are very positive signs, I wouldn't start to worry unless you don
't see a noticeable improvement by 2. I would speak to HV now though - as she'll probably say wait and see for a few months, so you might as well have that doing noting period now as when he's 2 iyswim.

useful websites:-
www.ican.org.uk
www.hanen.org
www.teachmetotalk.com

useful books:-
baby talk by sally ward
you make the difference or it takes two to talk by Ayola Manolson.

First one v li9kely to be in library, other 2 more likely to gbe found on ebay.

My DS2 is 24 months and doesn't speak, and although he never got an year infection he has glue ear. So Maybe you should have his ears checked first, just to eliminate that possibility.

If you are concerned, raise it now with health visitor. Where I live, it takes months to get appointments with speech and language therapists, or appointments with audiologists. So if you raise it now, it might help a few months down the line if you feel he is still not speaking well.

19 months is still quite young, and there really is no reason to worry at the moment, but getting him in 'the system' is not a bad idea just in case.

Also, another little suggestion, we only just bought a wonderful little DVD called Learn to Talk by Oxbridge Baby. Althou I'm sure it's not directly helping with language development, it is a really good little dvd and got my DS to say all sorts of different sounds that he would normally use.

lingle I think it's his total lack of interest in speaking that concerns me. When we read to him and say words and ask if he can say them he just grunts...he doesn't attempt to form a word at all.

Also, if I say 'Can you say Mammy?' and I'm repeating it emphasising the 'M' sound he will sometimes try to repeat but he puts his top teeth right over his bottom lip and so doesn't pronounce the 'M'. And then of course sometimes when he's just babbling on he does say a word that sounds like Mam.

Thanks all for your comments. I'll have a look at the books you've mentioned and also see if I can get in to see the HV.

Wezz, you may be coaching him too much. One of the first things parents of language-delayed kids have to learn is "stop saying "say"".

It's hardly surprising that you're doing this given that you're a wee bit anxious and that the siblings did it effortlessly.

If you can afford it, buy the book "it takes two to talk" published by the Hanen Foundation which is the gold standard on teaching appropriate techniques. I promise you it will not contain a single milestone chart..... but there are lots and lots of other websites and books showing you how to carry out gentle speech encouragement.

Generally, you may need to take the pressure off....

Thanks lingle...I do make a concsious (sp?) effort to lay off with the pressure...it lasts for a couple of days and then I start again .

I'll definitely try and get a copy of that book, thanks again

Wezz - Sounds exaclty the same as my 20 month old DS... He knows exactly what we say to him but only had about 3 words until very recently. He said daddy a few months ago and my DH was really pleased until we realised he said daddy for everything - thankfully including daddy!! . In the last two weeks or so though he's really come on and now probably has about 15 words or so. he even said bumble today pointing at a bee and I didn't even think he would know what it was.

I really wouldn't worry but certainly see your HV to relax you about it. I saw mine and she said not to worry and go back if he's not saying much by 2.