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Original poster

20 month old not talking

7 replies

RAU060822 · 04/06/2025 21:30

My son is 20 months old and has no speech. He says "dada" and "mama" on occasion, but that's it. He babbles all the time, both to himself and directly to us, but no words. Instead, he communicates through vocalising, gestures and/or bringing things to us to request or ask for help with something.

Despite lacking words, his understanding is excellent. He can follow a wide range of one-step instructions (and some two-step instructions), can point to given things in books, etc. This, coupled with how much he interacts with us, makes me think we aren't looking at a hearing problem or autism.... So what could this be?! Could he just be a late talker? Or is something underlying possibly going on?

Any advice or experience welcome! Some days I'm not concerned because he's such a happy little boy and he's very switched on, but on other days it can't help but make me feel a little sad!

OP posts:
Springadorable · 04/06/2025 21:53

Absolutely could be a hearing issue. I didn't think my son did as his understanding was excellent (HV said he was exceeding 27 month expectations at 15 months) but he had delayed speech and when eventually tested had mild to moderate hearing loss (which translates as being able to hear if someone is stood directly in front of him in a quiet environment according to the tester). Get his ears tested and go from there.

Original poster
RAU060822 · 04/06/2025 21:57

Springadorable · 04/06/2025 21:53

Absolutely could be a hearing issue. I didn't think my son did as his understanding was excellent (HV said he was exceeding 27 month expectations at 15 months) but he had delayed speech and when eventually tested had mild to moderate hearing loss (which translates as being able to hear if someone is stood directly in front of him in a quiet environment according to the tester). Get his ears tested and go from there.

This is interesting, thank you! Did a diagnosis help your son to get there in the end?

OP posts:
Springadorable · 04/06/2025 22:01

He's just turned four and chats away very clearly now (except when he has a cold as his hearing is worse then). His speech took off at around 3yo but plateaued at about 3.5 when we came back into winter and he had back to back colds and just couldn't hear well enough. Didn't really help as we did all the speech and language sessions which were mostly play based and stuff we were already doing - the issue wasn't that he didn't understand or wasn't keen, he just couldn't hear. Meant that he would say "flah" and "fi" instead of flower and fire for instance as he couldn't hear lower pitches so missed those syllables.

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Hercisback1 · 04/06/2025 22:03

I was you, at 22 months my son said yes, no, muma, dadda.
It was like a switch flipped at 2y 1m and he came out with paragraphs.
The important thing is that he understands everything you are saying.

Original poster
RAU060822 · 04/06/2025 22:07

Hercisback1 · 04/06/2025 22:03

I was you, at 22 months my son said yes, no, muma, dadda.
It was like a switch flipped at 2y 1m and he came out with paragraphs.
The important thing is that he understands everything you are saying.

Yes, I believe that understanding is what is most important at this age. I'm really hoping for a story similar to yours!

OP posts:
SugarPlumFaerie · 06/06/2025 09:10

My little boy didn't start talking until around 2 1/2. It made me feel so sad as he didn't even say mama or dada. His understanding was great. Had him checked by a speech therapist at 18 months and was told he had a great vocabulary even though he didn't say a word. The worst thing was that we knew he could say things (occasional word whilst pointing at something that interested him) but was refusing.
Once he started progress was great although I still try to work on his enunciation just to improve things. He's got ADHD which is linked to late speech, especially when emotionally overwhelmed.
Hope this helps you feel a bit better. You're not alone x

Original poster
RAU060822 · 06/06/2025 13:12

SugarPlumFaerie · 06/06/2025 09:10

My little boy didn't start talking until around 2 1/2. It made me feel so sad as he didn't even say mama or dada. His understanding was great. Had him checked by a speech therapist at 18 months and was told he had a great vocabulary even though he didn't say a word. The worst thing was that we knew he could say things (occasional word whilst pointing at something that interested him) but was refusing.
Once he started progress was great although I still try to work on his enunciation just to improve things. He's got ADHD which is linked to late speech, especially when emotionally overwhelmed.
Hope this helps you feel a bit better. You're not alone x

I appreciate this so much, thank you. I'm going to wait until he's 2 and then go down the SALT route, privately if the NHS waiting list is very long!

I got a "mama" earlier when he was upset, so that was nice!

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