Speech delays - should I be concerned
Hi brains trust!
I have a beautiful little boy who is about to be 17 months old. Physically he has always been advanced for his age.. The thing I’m concerned about is he isn’t talking AT ALL!!! He has said mum mum mum, dad dad dad, bub bub bub but never does now and hasn’t for months! The thing is he understands everything I say to him “can you please put that in the bin?” “Go get your drink bottle!” “You ready for your sleep?” “Go and get your shoes” Etc. He will do it!! He will shake his head for “no” and does an excited nod for “yes” and if I ask him if he’s hungry he will take me to the pantry or fridge (depending what he wants) and will point to what it is he’d like in there and dance when I get it for him 😂 I’m forever talking to him/reading and saying what things are in hopes he’ll randomly blurt something out, but that’s yet to happen. The only word he will say is “Ta” and does so everytime you give him something.
I’d like to also point out he has an older brother who is very close in age to him and is super advanced with his vocabulary, so I think it makes me worry more with the vast difference (yes I know all children are very different) and I guess sometimes he will do some talking for his little brother, they are inseparable so I guess that’s normal!
Is this normal? Should I be really concerned and get on top of this ASAP? I don’t want to just sit and wait if he needs some sort of help now wether that be a speech therapist or something else!! Has this happened with any of you Mumma’s little ones?!
Thanks for reading this worry wart Mumma’s rant!!
8 Replies
It is normal. One of my kids was arguing with me at 18 months old but the others were only saying a few words by then.
Did you read that he is not saying any words? That’s not normal.
Did you read where he was saying mum, dad, bub? He is still within normal range for talking. My neice didn't say a word until 2 then she wouldn't stop. It could also be his big bro is a chatterbox and does all the talking for him or he's very happy being a listener. Give it more time, he is communicating and understands a lot so there really isn't a problem right now. If he wasn't communicating or understanding then it may be a problem.
You are going to get a range of responses to its normal, to its not.
Personally if it was my child I’d be getting him looked at by a speech therapist and paediatrician. There are long wait lists and they can very quickly tell you if this is something that needs to be worked on.
To me, this is not normal. My kid wasn’t normal when he couldn’t speak at this age either, and I’ve never regretted seeking help early. There is nothing to be gained by, they will talk when they are ready. Some kids never get to that point. Some kids need more help for things to click. My son had severe verbal apraxia. Could climb, jump, was well advanced compared to his peers in many areas. Speech was hard work for him, and he needed help building control over his oral motor skills in order to develop speech.
It never hurts to have a chat with your GP if you are concerned about something your child is or isn’t doing. If it is of concern referrals can then be sent off to the appropriate people.
My son did this. In his cast, it turned out to be clever laziness. Why ask if I can point and someone will do all the work!
Don't respond to the pointing or say the words for him. Make him ask. Or at least try. 'Tell me what you want x. I can't get it if you don't tell me.' He'll get cranky for a little bit but will work out if he wants it, he has to speak.
Be warned though, once they start speaking they don't stop!!
I’ve seen this a lot over my 20+ years working in childcare. It’s definitely worth trying these strategies, and making sure big brother and other people in his life stops speaking for him.
I have 3 kids. I would personally wait. He will probably start saying more things in the next 6 months. But as others have said if you are really worried ask your gp the next time you are there. At the 18 month needles maybe? The wait lists for speech is so long.