I have a 16 month old son and I don't know if I should be concerned about his speech.
He seems to be on track for his other milestones. He's walking and doing that almost 'running' that toddlers do. He claps and points when he feels like it. He can hold eye contact and other things. He is growing well for someone his age.
He started cooing when he was a few months old and by about 10 months old he started the screeching phase. I thought by now he would be saying a bit more. He says 'Hitty' for kitty, but that's about it. All he does is screech, which I really can't stand anymore. People say it's a good sign and that it means he's trying to communicate, but I can't see it like that and I hate it. I use headphones, breathing techniques, leaving the room, ignoring it, speak in a soft tone and other things, but it just never ends and he constantly screeches.
If I asked him a question, he seems to understand what I am asking. Like if I say "Where's kitty (his soft toy)?" he'll look for it. If he's tired and I asked if he wants to nap he'll make a small grunting noise.
I sing, I read, I tried things like Ms Rachel (that's the only thing I am willing to let him watch at this age) and even then he will glance at the TV before going back to playing. We attend baby groups and groups at our local library weekly. He has playdates with toddlers his age.
My friend's daughter is a little older and she can say several words and my son just screeches.
I did bring it up with the staff at the baby groups and my HV, but they were not concerned and said he'll get there when he's ready and it's not until at 2 years old then they would be more worried if he isn't talking.
I don't know how to explain it, but it feels like he doesn't want to try and talk. I know there was concerns when I was younger because I had trouble pronouncing words (but I was still trying to communicate) and would only talk to my family, so it's possible that might be passed onto him.