21 Month Old Son Still Doesn't Speak

my son didn't start talking until he was 3 years old and hasn't shut up since. he is now almost 16. Don't fret it.

I can say that I was concerned also but my pediatrican told me not worry at my sons 2 yr. check up that as long as he is saying words they don't worry, but if at 3 he isn't saying sentences they want him evaluated. I always go w/my instincts like w/an ent I went to for tubes which he did when my doctor said he didn't think he needed them, but I had a feeling my son would talk soon and hearing that from the dr. made me feel better about my feeling and sure enough two wks. later he wouldn't shut up. One week after he turned 2 he really started talking and repeating us, but up until then he said maybe 10 words and would not repeat what we asked him. He is such a chatter box now at 26 mo. That may be true about his sister speaking for him because that was what happened to a friend of mine, her daughter didn't even say words and then at 2 1/2 she came out w/sentences. She knows it's because everyone spoke for her. Good Luck!! If u still are at his 2 yr. check up ask your doctor! I do agree w/everyone else if you are really concerned get him evaluated, but everyone including my inlaws told me he will talk when he wants to and sure enough he did. So def. go w/you gut feeling!

My son had a speech delay and we got him into a parent child playgroup. He was evaluated by The Thomas Ann Sullivan Center here in Mass. It was a state funded program and we had to pay nothing. Whatever the state didn't cover out insurance did which was great. He qualified for weekly home visits (a girl came once a week and would just sit and play with him and work with teaching him new sounds and words) I could't believe the difference...although I still think he would have come around anyways soon but I didn't want to take a chance. So he did the weekly home visits for a while and then he also started a parent- child playgroup once a week as well. But I just wanted you to know that there are programs out there and maybe you could look into that. I still believe he was almost ready to start busting out with words...so I'm not sure if it was just the help we got or just good timing. Sign language also helped if you are in general having trouble communiting with him. My son was getting really frustrated for a while so we started using just a few signs and he caught on quick. With that though you just need to make sure that you still try to get him to use his words when he can.....my sister was teaching her son signs and thats all he wanted to do....Anyways sorry for rambling...good luck.

Steph

My son is going to be 3 in May and he is an only child. He currently says anywhere from 5 to 10 words and he does use some sentances. My pedi doesn't seem too concerned and has asked us to come back in 6 months. My mother told me that I didn't talk until I was almost 4.

you can try your local Early Intervention Program to find out if there is an issue or just that he doesn't want to talk.. You can either ask your ped about it, look it up in the phone book or call the local school system.. anyone can request an evaluation and if there is a problem, then he'll get services mostly free.. it's worth a look into.

My son is 19 months old, and only child. He isn't saying amything but Mama, Dada and Elmo. His Ped. says don't worry. My brother in law works with special needs kids, and he doesn't seem too worried either. My mom said I spoke for my younger brother, so he spoke late. I wouldn't worry about it until the doctor says to worry. HOpe this helps!

Hi my name is Mary and I have 2 boys now 6 and 8. My oldest child spoke around the regular time and all was well. My second child did not speak at all at 18 months and had a bit of a temper so I went straight to Early Intervention. It was free at the time and if anything it would ease my mind. Every child is different and no matter their place in the line up go with your instinct. My child’s pediatrician told me to give until he was 2 1/2 but as a special needs preschool teacher I am a firm believer in catching things early. The educators and specialist from EI come to your home and conduct an assessment. They have been around so they have dealt with all types of behaviors and know how to get what they need. They can't even offer assistance unless there is a 6 month delay or greater but it might be good to hear an objective opinion. Keep making him talk to you no matter what comes out and just offer the word he’s looking for so he hears it correctly after his attempt. The First thing anyone will ask is if he has had a hearing exam with a ENT or other specialist. So I would look into that depending on your insurance. Good Luck and hope everything goes well. Mary C

my son will be three in june and only in the last 6 or so months has he really started tlaking but a little trick that work for me tell his sister to not tlak for him and make him say what he wants instead of just pionting like at lunch time say are you hungry than say do you want fish sticks or a hot daog give him a choice but make him say it hell start tlaking soon enghoe

Hi M., I would deffinetaly demand an evaluation just to be sure. My son was not talking, well had said mama, dada and then would be very quiet for a few days. But was really not picking up language at 18 months. I asked for an evaluation and found out that he has autism. Not to freak you out, but it is just better to be sure. Even if it is just a speech delay speech therapy can be very beneficial and it will not hurt, only help. I just have to add to Kim G's resonse that her Pedi said not to worry so it was okay, so did my Pedi and many other mothers I know that found out their worries were something. Doctors don't know everything and a mother knows her child best. Many doctors are saying wait a few more months. Well, DON"T Early Intervention is the key to helping things. We should not wait and I have since changed doctors for my children.

Hi.
When my daughter turned 2, her words were quite limited. Within a couple months of her 2nd birthday, her vocabulary exploded and she hasn't stopped talking. My son has just turned 2. It seemed like his vocabulary double the day after his birthday. I wouldn't worry to much about him. (...Maybe your daughter was/is more advanced?)

I would def. get him checked by a doctor or even better a speech tech. i have three boys all under 5, and my youngest just turned two. he speaks more than his other two brothers ever did. he has a very good vocabulary and speaks in complete sentences. anyways, if you are concerned, it is better to be safe than sorry, right? id def. get that checked out!

I agree with the other moms.. Call Early Intervention! They are one of the best free recourses the State has to offer. I believe that Early Intervention is for children up to 3 years old. So take advantage while you can. Even if there is nothing to worry about its nice to have another resource :)

Hi M.~ Have you spoken with your pediatrician yet? When my oldest son was 24 months, he also wasn't speaking. He would say mama or dada but that was it. We had him tested and then he was placed in an early intervention program. A speach pathologist came to our home once a week and worked with him, at first with signlanguage which I thought was wierd, buy worked! He did really well, and I am so grateful for the help. It was scary at first, especially when I started reading that could be an early sign of autism. I'm just really glad we got help instead of listening to all the "old ladies" who kept saying "boys are just late talkers". I would mention it to your doctor. good Luck! J.

Call your local Early Intervention office. Have them evaluate him (it's free). They will be able to tell you if he qualifies for speech therapy. Early Intervention services kids up to age three, then they will either discontinue services or recommend that he continue to get servies in preschool. Call now - the sooner the better, and it can't hurt a thing! :)