17 Month old not walking or talking

[AlexRobin]

DD just turned 17 months and cannot stand without support or walk. She also is not talking, she does babble but not a lot. I’m just worried. I read to her and sing to her but she will never attempt to repeat any sounds or words
I only know one child her age and the difference in speech is huge
If it was just one of these things I don’t think I would be so concerned
I have asked health visitor for advice and they said leave it a few months as she is within normal limits but I just would like to hear other opinions

My first didn’t walk until 18 months, but no issues once he started.

He does have speech issues though. Personally, if she isn’t talking by 2 I’d push for a referral to speech and language and for a hearing test. 2 is still young, but the waiting lists are enormous so my advice is get the referral earlier not later. For now keep reading to her, talking to her, lots of play down on her level and simple words. Don’t worry about whether or not she copies, just model the words yourself. Think about doing a bit of signing with her if you think she’s getting frustrated at not communicating.

Sorry not sure what is going on with quotes and fonts in my post

DS1 didn't crawl until 13 months, didn't walk until 18 months. Had delayed speech and had speech therapy aged 2. All fine by the time he started school.

DS2 crawled at 7 months but didn't walk until 19months. Started talking early and didn't shut up.

If you're worried ask for a SALT referral.

Thank you, it is the speech I am more worried about as I can't see progress

I will find about referral asap

I made a really similar post last week. Ds, just turned 17 months corrected is exactly the same

We read to him, talk to him, play with him. It's so hard not to worry. He's a wonderful happy little boy, always babbling. I follow Raising Little Talkers on Instagram and try to integrate her advice into our daily lives

I have an 18 month old in a similar situation. Nowhere near walking and not much speech other than Mama, Dada etc. I am trying not to worry but it’s hard isn’t it! We have a referral to physio about the walking but haven’t done anything about the talking yet as wanted to give her a bit more time. I know I was a late talker although more average for walking so maybe she is just taking her time.

Hello!

My little boy has just turned 17 months and is still not walking completely unaided. This weekend was a big breakthrough as we can now remove the walker from him and he can take a few steps on his own, before crumbling down to the floor!

He can mimic the sounds we make but isn't saying words yet.

I have spoken to the GP who told me not to worry, he is totally within normal limits. It is hard though, especially when you see other children of similar ages at soft play etc who are comfortably walking.

I wanted to slap a woman I was talking to last week, whose child was a similar age, as she kept referring to my little boy as a "baby" - I presume because he isn't walking. Drove me mad!!

Please don't worry OP, I know it is hard though but hope my message reassures you!

My second DC didn't walk until 18 months and barely spoke until well after 2. I can assure you he now does both with alacrity. His development is entirely normal and he's bright; he just didn't talk until he bloody well felt like it.

My first didn't talk until 2. Then she moved up to the toddler room and her language suddenly exploded into existence. She was a late-ish walker at 16 months as well. She's 4 years old now, and completely normal.

My second didn't walk until 17.5 months, but his language is well ahead of where his sister's was at the same age (22 months). But we know a child 10 days younger than him and her speech is far clearer than his, and she walked earlier too.

It's so, so hard when your child is a late developer, even if it's still within the realms of normal. Try to relax for now is all I can say. When it happens it will happen quickly.

I had a physically small early walker and early talker. People would do double takes. He was very insistent at 2 - oh, look there's a goat - it's not a goat, it's a MOUNTAIN goat. I used to think he was hilarious - he once told his aunt, aged 2 - 'I've only got little legs you know' when she expected him to walk for miles. She was a gung-ho type and I was afraid to confront her as an adult but he was forthright and she backed down. It turned out he's autistic.

I also had a physically large late walker and talker (he's 6'2" now). That seemed harder. People assumed he was older than he was and judged him (and probably me). He was referred to SALT at his 2 year check and started school with SLCN. It turned out he's autistic too.

Please get all referrals possible. It might be OK so no harm done (you have to wait an age anyway so wait and see shouldn't add more time).

The vast majority of the time things will be OK but it doesn't hurt to be on the pathway just in case.

I would also look at other aspects of DD's communication. How is her understanding of what you say? Can she follow some basic instructions? Think about ones she's likely to want to do, like 'let's have a snack!' or 'bring me your book/teddy/ball!' or 'let's go to the park!' rather than 'put that back!' or 'stop!', where she might understand perfectly, but not want to do it. Does she recognise the names of some everyday objects and people/pets? Does she communicate with gestures (things like clapping hands, waving hello/goodbye, pointing at things she wants, nodding yes, shaking head no, putting arms up to be picked up)? If her understanding is good and she's getting her point across in other ways, it's very likely she just needs a little more time (and the words may come very quickly once they start!).

With walking/standing, can she do those things holding your hands? Does she cruise along the furniture or walk with a push-along walker?

DS didn't walk till just after 18 months and didn't talk till 3. We went on the waiting list for speech therapy when he was 2 but with covid by the time we got seen he could talk! He was very much the last child out of our NCT group and group of friends from baby classes to be doing those early milestones which was probably more frustrating and upsetting for me than him.

Absolutely no problems now, he's flying in Reception class and never shuts up or stops running.

You can download an ages and stages questionnaire off the Internet. This is what health visitors will use to mark where a child is in terms of their development at the right age. I would complete this and then if concerned on the results contact your health visitor to report the outcomes.

We had some support from the HV at 20 months for my daughters speech and she only had 3 words. Our HV was only concerned at the time because she was losing words she previously knew like mummy and daddy
As long as speech is moving in the right direction albeit slowly it's not overly concerning. Losing skills is more concerning.
The help we had stopped her losing words and between 24 and 26 months she had a huge jump in speech and by 3 her speech was the same as her peers

My DS showed no signs of walking at 17 months, I was as worried as you are! The day after he turned 18 months he took a few steps and within a month was almost running! As hard as it is to wait it out it's all you can do for now.

Speech wise DS has a cleft palette, so is speech delayed, but getting there now he's 2. SLT team told us to persevere with encouraging baby sign language as well as speech. Have you tried signs etc? This can help with giving you an idea of general communication skills, because talking is just one part of that!

When you say you only know one other child their age - are they socialising with other kids? If not, their speech is going to be impacted

Hi, I am in similar situation with my boy. Just wanted to check in how was your girl

Hello, how is your DS doing now? Mum in a similar situation. Thanks

Hi @AlexRobin how is your little girl doing now? She sounds very similar to my DD who is also 17 months.