When do I worry about DS not speaking?

[FriggFRIGG]

He's 17 months.

He understands us,but he doesnt even say mama or dada,
he makes noises but doesn't copy sounds.

DD was talking in sentences by this age (I know that is unusual,she is an unusual child) so.....I'm not sure,should I worry yet?

GP told us not to begin worrying until 24 months, booked twice to see him and both times he advised us to wait for the 2 year check from HV. Apparently children's speech develops at variable rates but by 2 years they would expect it to be at a certain level...by memory I think it was an expressible bank of 50 words.

It's positive and encouraging though if your DC understands what you are saying. Our DS was neither receptive or expressive at 17 months.

Thankyou.

I will put the worry on hold for a few months then

I'ld go to the GP/HV now, as chances are you'll be fobbed off and told to come back in a few months anyway. So you might as well at least have raised the issue now iyswim. Do you mean by not saying mama or dada that he isn't babbling at all or not calling you mama/dada? Overall I'd expect speech by 24 months, and pointing by 18 months. HVs/GP are meant to use something called the CHAT test around 18 months to screen for communication problems and autism

He does babble,he has never said mama or dada though....he said Daa once,but it wasn't directed at anyone,and he hasn't made up a replacement word either.

He shouts if he really wants something and we aren't paying attention.

The only sign he has ever picked up on is a modified 'please' sign,he's added a little kiss to the sign,and it means 'milk please'

He has just got an appointment to see a paed' about his (possible) gluten intolerance,and my DD is waiting to start the assessment process for (possible) Aspergers....
so I feel like if I go running to the HV about this,before I should be concerned,they're going to write me off as a lunatic.

Thankyou for all your answers.you guys are all so lovely over here

Two HVs missed my son's unusual eye-contact. The first (in clinic) unfortunately had eyes which went in different directions and the second didn't really understand what she was supposed to be looking for.

I put DS' lack of speech all down to him being a boy. I don't have brothers and DD was extremely verbally advanced. DS' first word was atypical - "digger" when he heard the recycling lorry outside. He didn't say hello or wave goodbye or put his arms out to be picked up. He didn't bring things to show me or point and look at me as if sharing what he had seen with me.

It was only when pre-school recommended that I take him to the Sure Start centre (do they still exist?) where there was a speech and language drop-in that the ball got rolling. They identified a red flag due to his restricted play as well as speech. I thought he was quite imaginative at the time but it was only later that I realised that he was just copying (like echolalia) but in physical form.

By the time his first Paed appointment arrived I had amassed enough evidence via this board and other sources that he was dx with ASD there and then at 2.9.

I know what you mean about being written off as a lunatic because you tend to think that lightning doesn't strike twice, but you are correct in having concerns. Your son is still young but no professional should dismiss them.

They are also both extremely gorgeous by the way

Awh thanks I keep meaning to put some new ones on as DS viciously doesn't look anything like that anymore! But I'm always on my iPad,and I can't upload picures on it

Right well,I'll add it to the to do list,I need to chase the GP about DD's referral anyway,so I will mention DS at the same time.
i also need to speak to them about his extreme clumsiness,he is currently sporting 6 bruises,we were in minor injuries twice last week!
he falls down a lot,and runs into things all the time,his spacial awareness is awful.

Ha! Your pictures are brilliant! What beautiful,funny children you have!

Frigg, I'm no special needs experts, but am having EXACTLY the same experience with dd2 (15mo). she too has excellent comprehension but does not try to join in conversation (although i think we've heard her make pretty much all the sounds at one time or another)

dd1 was talking in sentences very early, so i don't know what the proper age for things is. I did speak with my h/v who said that the very earliest she could consider referrals would be at the end of 18mo. She did however mention that our borough has a SALT drop-in every other month, so I'm taking the day off to take dd2 to that next month. Maybe there's something similar where you are?

Oh,thankyou,I will try to find out.

Cheers Frigg, I once had a comment that my two girls were beautiful thanks to DD dressing DS up in the pink goggles and glittery scarf!

DS is often seen sporting DD's tutu and hairbands...I think she is under the immpession he is some kind of doll...

FriggFRIGG

Children develop different abilities and skills at different ages and rates until the age of maturation 6 - 8 years old. There can be many issues which can cause a speech development delay, many children work around in their own time.

You could scroll through the CiteULike Group Speech and Language Pathology library to be prepared if the problem persists over the coming years.

I read somewhere that it can be a red flag if a child has no words by 15months, so I contacted the HV at exactly 15months when ds1 didn't have a single word. She came round and was looking for signs of non-verbal communication/ comprehension, things which would hint at more than a simple speech delay

She said she would re-assess at 18months, but did flag up some concerns. In Ds1's case he was diagnosed with asd at 23 months, which might not be the case for you AT ALL. My point is just that it is usual to have speech by 17 months so there is no harm in getting some advice from professionals.

It is always better to have investigations done which turn out to be for nothing (apart from reassurance) than to watch and wait imo.

I'm so glad I didn't listen to the legions who told me boys were lazy, that ds1 would suddenly talk in sentences, that Einstein didn't talk till he was 5 etc etc.

NB It's an excellent sign if comprehension is very good.

I live in the US so the system is slightly different here, they are big believers in Early Intervention and it is funded which is a great help as the health insurance system is terrible and very complicated.

My DS has been having speech and language therapy since he turned about 16 months (twice a week, 45 min sessions). He has epilepsy caused by a diagnosed neurological disorder so the neurologists, dr.'s etc are quite keen on helping him as early as possible as he is considered "at risk" for language delays. Since the therapy is essentially "play" at this age I am all for it. It is thought he is about 6 months behind expressively. His receptive language seems to have caught up a bit. He understands a lot but just doesn't seem to mimic well or repeat sounds which is more typical apparently at this age. He has just turned 2, so still very young.

I would really seek out any help you can get if you think that there could be a problem, once you get past all the paperwork of getting help, it is really worth it. I keep telling myself if I did nothing then I would look back and regret it. Sometimes I do just want to believe he is "normal" little boy with no diagnosis and he will be a late talker like everyone keeps telling me boys are supposed to be but it is clear as he is getting older that the gap is getting wider with him and his peers. No one can tell you what that will mean though, you just have to wait and see.

yes if SLT drop in or self-referral is available, jump at the chance. unfortunately it varies so much from area to area what is available.