Speech Development Question

[Tx_Wader]

My son didn't talk a lot when he was a little boy, he listened but only spoke when he felt like he needed to.

It worried me so we did all the tests and everything was normal.

He still doesn't talk much at near 30 years old but he's successful, has a Masters Degree and communicates well...but he still listens more than he speaks...I should take a lesson from him probably.

I wouldn't worry about your daughter now, let it go a while and see how she develops. I know my nephew had problems with his ears, infections and things and he just didn't hear well early in his developmental years. His mother bought Hooked On Phonics and that really helped him.

[TB80]

As others have said, kids develop at different rates. I wouldn't stress it but if you are concerned I would go to a different pediatrician. It is crazy to me that your doctor would refer you to a State department instead of offering input on whether she is meeting normal developmental levels.

For the record, I am not a doctor and did not stay at a Holiday Inn.

[Tmag]

Praying for His touch on her!

[cwill]

I'd be willing to bet ear infections/sinus has a lot to do with the problem. Went through it with both of my boys and we're still dealing with ear surgeries for my 7 year old. My 7 year old still struggles with speech at times and I can always tell when he has an ear infection by his speech. He's had 7 sets of tubes and my 10 year old has had 5. If her ears check out fine then I wouldn't worry about it to much because of her age. She's still super young and as stated above there's no specific timeline for developmental mile stones. Encourage her to use her words when she wants something and don't give in until she does. My main suggestion, if she does need speech, is to be careful with who you use. Do not let them label/diagnose her with pervasive developmental disorder just to have speech covered by insurance! Good luck and it sounds like you're doing a great job dad. The world could use more parents like you!

[Codie]

Easton did not talk much until around 18 months - Huntley came out of the womb talking I am pretty sure

[Shiner]

My daughter is a Speech Pathologist. If you would wish to speak with her, Pm me a number. I know she will gladly take your call.

[systemnt]

Sounds like you have a dead-beat husband.

I laughed.

[zztex]

My nephew is 2 and a half and doing the same thing. They have done every test in the book and cant find anything wrong with him. He might say a word or two once every few days. And when he does they come out perfect, doesn't even sound like a child. They started taking him to speech therapy about 3 months ago, and evidently he does well there. But when he leaves its just like he could care less about talking. We all have been worried, but seems to me he's just content on playing with his toys, and could careless about talking.

Wait till he gets a smart phone, he will never talk

[perfectstorm]

Good evening, Green Screen!

I have a question regarding my kiddo and would love to hear opinions from experience and opinions from a medical standpoint.

My daughter is 14 months old and doesn't seem to talk much. I don't know if I should be concerned. She is 100% on track in everything and even "ahead" in some areas, but just doesn't use a lot of words. I say "use" because she has said words in the past, but does not use them consistently. She only has two words that she uses consistently, dog and dat (for "what's that" - I think ). She has said "up," "dolly," "hi," "mama," and "dada" but does not use them on a daily or even weekly basis. She signs "more" and "all done," shakes her head "no," points, waves "hi" and "bye," points to her belly when I ask her to, points to the fan (random, I know) when I ask her to, and motions "up." She'll say "dada" at least every other day and knows what that word means.

I work full time so she is at Day Care during the day. By the time I get home I only have her for about two hours so I don't get to work on words with her too much. I don't think Day Care works on specific words with the kids - there are 14-16 children in the class with only 2-3 teachers.

Now that I have it all written out it doesn't seem like that big of a deal. The internet says she should have more words by now and I am concerned that she has said words with meaning before, but does not continue to use them. I am not concerned with her not saying "mama" consistently because I have recently realized that I just don't stress it.

So I guess this is my question: How old were your kids when they started using words consistently and should I be concerned for a speech delay?

In addition: How did y'all teach your kiddos words?

Thanks!

Caroline is 16 months & is the same way (shes our first as well). I keep being told by everyone who has kids to just sit back & enjoy it. Once they start talking they never shut up. Although lately, she has gotten really good at answering "no" on everything, including questions to other people. Wouldn't worry about it Elf Feet.

[LakeJake]

My wife is a Pediatric Speech Therapist, so I am also an expert on the situation.

I will say that our son is 14 months old, and only says a few words. His mother isn't worried about it. He does a little signing as well (more, all done, water).

[elf feet]

Sounds like you have a dead-beat husband.

Haha! No kidding!

As others have said, kids develop at different rates. I wouldn't stress it but if you are concerned I would go to a different pediatrician. It is crazy to me that your doctor would refer you to a State department instead of offering input on whether she is meeting normal developmental levels.

For the record, I am not a doctor and did not stay at a Holiday Inn.

This made me literally LOL.

My daughter is a Speech Pathologist. If you would wish to speak with her, Pm me a number. I know she will gladly take your call.

PM sent

My wife is a Pediatric Speech Therapist, so I am also an expert on the situation.

I will say that our son is 14 months old, and only says a few words. His mother isn't worried about it. He does a little signing as well (more, all done, water).

OK, thank you

Thank you, everyone, for your responses!

[Biloxiboy]

FWIW: I've got 4 kids ages 4, 5, 7 & 8. All of them developed speech skills at different speeds. Both of my two oldest (boys) were in speech in school for two different reasons and both graduated out in the last year. My Older daughter (5yo) has been speaking non-stop at a very advanced level since she was about 1. Far ahead of both her brothers. My youngest daughter developed at a more normal pace and still exhibits some infantile speech habits.

Most difficulty was with boy #2. He didn't speak AT ALL until he was about 2. Got him some testing through the school district and got a diagnosis of appraxia. Now in 2nd grade, he speaks very well, reads a grade level and seems to be loving life.

My point is, with 4 kids, I can attest to the fact that all kids develop differently. If you are concerned, get her tested with a speech pathologist to identify any problems.

[tex4k]

My 2yo grandson doesn't speak much, the family loves to have group "worry" sessions, I told them to relax, his dad didn't start talking until he was 3, a couple of weeks ago his dad told him to do something he wasn't interested in doing, ol' little britches stomped his foot, gave dad a dirty look, and said "blah blah blah -peepaw". She's only 14 mos. give her some time, keep talking to her like she's a little person, she's listening more than anyone gives her credit for, I bet she'll come around.

[bwssr]

Nope - not yet, at least

How old was she when you went to them? (If you don't mind me asking)

about 2 or so

[perfectstorm]

Elf Feet how is it going? I was thinking about your little one & you this morning. Are you seeing more speech? Caroline's words have really blossomed in the last month & now she says yes to everything. Funny how things change so quickly.