18 Month Old Not Saying Much

My son did the same thing. By the time he hit two though he was talking a mile a minute. My nephew is the same age and he really was not talking much until about christmas time, he was 2 1/2 I would not worry, just be consistant with him. Also don't give him things right away have him try to tell you what he is wanting. It will eventually come to him. I know this is frusterating but he will get better. Just keep up with what you are doing

First off don't panic. When my daughter was 2 I took her in for her well-child checkup and she wasn't really saying much either, pretty much the same things your 18 month old is saying. My doctor told me that if she didn't start "talking" in a few months then he wanted me to take her to speech therapy because he felt that she was speech delayed. Well before the 3 months even had time to pass she was speaking and speaking extremely well. Her vocabulary was well past kids that had started talking before she did and she was extremely clear and understandable.

All kids progress at different stages and your son may just be saving it up until he is ready.

My daughter actually did the other stages a little earlier than most kids...she was walking (not scooting or just going from point A to point B but actualy walking) at 8 months so I always figured that she was so busy investigating her surroundings that she just hadn't gotten around to talking yet. She hasn't stopped yet...moving or talking :o)

Go with your gut. If don't feel that there is an issue than most likely there isn't.

Good luck.

M. N.

If he wants his truck, make him say "truck" same with milk, water,drink, eat, etc. Exaggerate the sound each syllable makes so he's hearing each sound individually. Repetition is the key. If he points at his milk and just says "uhuhuh" (for example, not saying that's what he's doing) then make him at least TRY to say milk. He'll get it eventually. Just keep practicing with him all day every day. When you're doing something, keep up a constant stream of chatter. Say "Mommy's doing the dishes. Can you say dishes. Dddd-iiii--shshsh-es." While he's eating ask him..."What are you eating ? Are you having a snack? Can you say snack?" and so on. We were given all these tips by Healthy Families and they worked wonders. My daughter is 2 and talks a blue streak. There are some days when I wish she would just be quiet for two seconds so I can collect my thoughts!

Try to remember how different all people are from each other. We have always been a little more concerned about our daughters development than that of our three boys because she just seems to do things at a later age, whenever we get to worrying a little much, we try comparing ourselves to OUR siblings, since we are so different how can we expect our kids to be the same (as each other, and others in their age group) It helps us, anyway :)

I also have a friend whose daughter only said a few select words until the week of her third birthday, when she started speaking in full sentences!
Have you considered learning ASL with him? I still use it with my older kids, it sometimes seems to be easier for them to communicate with their hands when they are upset. Of course, my youngest refused to communicate in any way except whining until he was almost two-it was so frustrating to me because I had been able to understand the older ones so much sooner.

I am a student, and just completed Human Growth and Development (GREAT class when you have kids) The book said that many children don't communicate much verbally until around the 2 1/2, which surprised me since most of the children I have known in my life spoke much sooner. Maybe your Doc just wanted to make a note of it, as something to be sure and keep an eye on.

I tend to take a wait and see approach on most develomental things with my kids, and so far everything has been fine. I believe that as moms we know when something is really wrong with one of our kids, and if you feel something is wrong then take action, but since you aren't all that concerned I'd say wait a while and see what happens.

Good luck!
~J.

Consider setting him up for an evaluation through "First Steps" it is free or close to it depending on your income. We did this when our son was 2 and it put us at ease to learn he was fine. Your pediatrician should be able to give you contact info for First Steps.

Here's the link: https://www.infirststeps.com/

I wouldn't worry about it too much. My son didn't start to really talk until after his 2nd bday and a lot of my friends' kids only talked a tiny bit when they were 18 months. Dr's take a general guideline. That doesn't mean that your child will always fit into the perfect fit. I would say, wait until he is at least 2 or 2 1/2. Then you can decide to get him evaluated.

Hi J.! You could do one of two things: 1)The "Wait and See" approach, or 2)take action now. My son, now 28 months old, is just learning to say words other than Mamma and Dadda. We took the wait and see approach because our pediatrician was never concerned. Our son is a bright little guy who understands everything and follows directions very well. However, when he was around 23 months old, we decided that we were not comfortable with this approach, despite what our doctor felt. We ended up contacting "Help Me Grow" for an assessment. I feel that that was the best thing we could have done because now, after just 2 months of speech therapy, our son is able to communicate his needs so much better. He has come a LONG way. I know that every child develops at his/her own pace, but if your gut is telling you that your son should be saying more, I would listen to your heart. I wish I would have taken action sooner!!! I am still waiting for the day that my son will just talk my ear off!! Best of luck to you and your family.