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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Should I be worried, 20mnth old ds only says one word, 'no'

13 replies

hmmSleep · 30/04/2009 16:34

My dd was a late talker, but I'm sure she was saying more than this at 20 mnths.

He does the usual baby babbling, but 'no' is the the only word he seems to even attempt. If he wants something he comes and leads me by the hand and points to the thing he's after.

Do you think I need to go and see a speech specialist? I don't think he's got hearing problems as he does turn when I call him. I'm probably worrying prematurely but just read another post where a Mum was saying her ds, similar age, was confusing 'me' and 'you', which made me think God, mine can't even say them never mind confuse them!

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FairMidden · 30/04/2009 19:38

I don't know much about development, normal or otherwise, but I am sure I've heard tales of loads of late talkers on here. I remember one person had a child who said nothing for years then one day when told not to do something replied "It's a free country" . So i thought a bump might rake in some reassurances

BriocheDoree · 30/04/2009 19:55

OK, well I have two kids. DD has a severe speech and language disorder and DS is fine, so far as we can tell. Both of them said more than that at 20 months. However, the really worrying thing would be if your DS wasn't babbling / pointing. If he can use gestures to communicate, that's a really good sign, as is turning when you call him.
I would say that if he's not speaking more by two, then you should seek advice (better to be reassured if there's no problem, and better to find out if there IS one).
Sometimes kids are late talkers and they are fine. Sometimes there's more of a problem. If you don't have other concerns about his development, he's probably fine.

BriocheDoree · 30/04/2009 19:57

OTOH, there's a really good link here (Shamefully borrowed from Tclanger, another Mumsnetter) with speech and language milestones, advising when you should consult a specialist:

www.blankees.com/baby/speech/

HTH!

Original poster

hmmSleep · 30/04/2009 20:13

Thanks for your advice! I'll go check out the link.

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Original poster

hmmSleep · 30/04/2009 20:14

The "It's a free country" made me smile

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catski · 01/05/2009 08:30

Does he use gestures to compensate for his lack of verbal communication? I think at this stage gestures and the ability to understand what you are saying is more important than expressive speech.

I don't think 20 months is particularly late, but perhaps something to keep an eye on.

TotalChaos · 01/05/2009 08:36

agree with brioche and catski - if he's pointing/gesturing that's a good sign - but if no significant improvement by 2 I would push for SALT referral. And no harm in speaking to HV right now - she will almost certainly say "wait and see" - but you might as well start the "waiting and seeing" now as in a few months time.

fledtoscotland · 01/05/2009 09:39

am a bit at the warning signs of that link. DS1 is a late talker. he is 19months and says about 3 words (no, ta, daddy) but can communicate, can do simple tasks, can identify colours and generally understands loads. he does use gestures but everyone does - try to have a conversation sitting on your hands

have you had a hearing test? my fab HV said that as long as the hearing test has been done and he understands and communicates, she wouldnt worry before 24months

FAQinglovely · 01/05/2009 09:54

I wouldn't have thought 20 months late at all - in fact my best "under 2 talker" - has been DS3 - who is now 23 months and just starting to make a little sense (occasionally) (the other older 2 never shut up

Original poster

hmmSleep · 01/05/2009 17:56

All quite encouraging, thanks. I was a little worried as he's had quite a few ear infections, as I mentioned he does respond to noise but it might be an idea to get him tested just for peace of mind? Think I will take a quick trip to the HV too.

I think it's probably just that he's not intereseted in talking, he can get everything he wants, (mainly food!) by gesturing and has always been a pretty laid back, so long as he's got food and cuddles he's a pretty happy chap, with no need to talk!

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SeverusIsMySlave · 02/05/2009 09:13

i have a 20 month DS (3rd child) and he does'nt talk, he gestures, points, understands everything we say and can follow quite complex instructions. At this stage, if he comunicates with gestures and seems to understand you asking him to do things/show things/fetch things, i would'nt worry at all.

FAQinglovely · 02/05/2009 09:29

ahh now my HV with DS1 tried to get me panicking because he had his 2yr check at 20 months - and wasn't talking.

I was about to move house to a different area se she sent a letter on ahead saying that he needed to be seen for a follow up appointment to check his progress.

2 weeks after I moved into my new house there was a knock at the door and it was the health visitor (from new area). She'd got the letter and just wanted to pop round and introduce herself. She stayed for about 15 minutes, and just before she left she looked at me and said

"there's nothing wrong with him, he understands you, he follows simple instructions he'll be talking soon.............we'll see him again ifor a proper check-up just to make all the paperwork add up"

Sure enough by the time his appointment came round he was talking quite well - still not a lot of words, but he was clear and she could understand him and it was like he was on a roller coaster after that.

Now he's heading rapidly towards 9 and frequently has too much to say

amandamacg · 02/05/2009 11:31

I wouldn't worry too much...my nephew had numerous checks as he was still not really talking too much when he was 3, just a few words....turns out he has an older brother who could understand his gestures, etc and was just too lazy to speak...he's now 11 and getting him to shut up is the problem. Kids all go at their own pace and he'll talk when he's ready

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