Need Help Figuring Out What's Normal Speech for an 18Month Old

All kids are so different. I had one boy who never said much until he was three. Have an expert look at her.

If you have concerns, get her evaluated by the early intervention program in your area. The services will be free to you until she is 3 years old.

Relax mama! My two youngest boys were late talkers. My pedi would have referred them to early intervention if they didn't have 10 words at their second birthdays. Each one just barely squeaked by but by age 3 they were talking and talking and talking. She sounds right on track to me - 6 more months is a long time and I bet she'll have plenty more words by then (quite likely more than 10 if she's got 5 now).

At this stage, the most important thing is that she seems to be able to understand you and respond appropriately to you and can communicate her needs, through speech or non-verbal communication. Sounds like she's right on track, but ask your pedi at her next well visit so that you can feel better. And honestly, don't worry about the TV. Don't use it as a baby-sitter or schedule time in front of it every day, but in short bursts here and there it's really not going to fry her little brain. You sound like you're doing a great job - keep it up!

If your gut is telling you there might be a problem, call your local Regional Center for an evaluation for the early intervention program. My son didn't have words and we went for an evaluation. Although he understood everything, he had a pretty significant speech delay. People told me all the time, things like "oh boys just talk later than girls," "don't worry, you'll want to shut him up soon enough," "just wait, when he talks it will be in full sentences" (didn't happen). Although all well intentioned, those people were just wrong. My son started speech therapy before his second birthday and was speaking pretty well, with about 50% understandability, by 30 months. But it took a while. There was no word storm after his second birthday. Now at 3 1/4, he talks a blue streak, but we still have issues with phonetics.

There is no harm to having her evaluated. It's called early intervention for a reason.

Early Childhood Intervention is FREE and is for kids up until 3 years old.
My son had speech therapy from them in my State.
I did NOT have to be referred by a Pediatrician. I just called them myself.
They come to your home.
They do an overall developmental assessment of your child.
Then tell you of their findings etc.
You are not obligated to have services from them, and can change your mind at any time.
Again, it is free.

My son had speech therapy from 19 months old until almost 3 years old.
It was wonderful for him and I.
He LOVED his speech therapist.
He was, delayed in speech.
They worked with him.

I think all kids are different and it sounds like she is fine to me. My daughter was speaking in full sentences at 18 months old, but my son didn't say hardly anything until after he turned 2. I don't think I would have my child evaluated at 18 months unless there were other developmental issues or delays. Some kids just take a little longer. Once my son started talking (at around 26 months), he was speaking in sentences almost right away because he had been listening and learning the whole time....just didn't want to say anything yet! Give her time...she'll get there. If you're really concerned, then talk to her pediatrician about it, but I don't think there is any cause for concern, personally.

J., you could talk to your ped about a speech evaluation. Before 24 months, there is a lot more leeway in what a child is supposed to be able to say. Five words is not much, that's for sure. There is nothing wrong with getting an evaluation done, and they could give you ideas to help her if she is on the lower end of the scale, and she would also be on the radar for help if she hasn't progressed enough by 24 months.

Don't worry about doing it before preschool, persay. Preschool doesn't require being able to speak well. In fact, her speech might actually get better because she is in preschool.

Your ped can give you some names of people who can evaluate your child.

Dawn

My little sister had a sound system to express what she wanted. She made a gargling noise if she wanted water. Things like that. I think part of the problem is that my mother understood her and allowed her to communicate that way. Being the oldest, my mom was very careful to make sure I pronounced everything correctly. When my sister came along, she relaxed into the opposite direction.

My sister never needed speech therapy or any intervention. She just began talking up a storm when she got good and ready. She's very intelligent and even received a college scholarship in high school. Her speaking patterns when she was little had zero affect on her outcome.
At 18 months, I personally wouldn't be too worried. Just talk to her a lot and don't baby talk. I'm not sure why watching TV would be bad if she's watching educational shows and hears language and learns words.
Remember that part of learning to speak is also being able to see how a mouth actually forms the words. Let her see how your mouth forms sounds. Let her tough your mouth while you say things.
If she can understand you, there is a very good chance she is just absorbing all of it and one of these days you will be wishing she had an off button.
Just keep working with her. Ask your pediatrician if he/she has any recommendations.
Don't compare your child to kids the same age that have a vocabulary built. Your little one is picking things up even if she isn't spitting them out just yet.

That's just my opinion.

Best wishes.

It's normal. Neither of my children spoke much more than a few words before the age of two. She doesn't need her hearing tested or speech therapy because she is speaking and can communicate. She will learn with time.

You can still work with her to learn more words and comprehension.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-18-month-olds-language-a...

What? I have an 18 month old also and he doesn't talk much. At least what we understand. I have 5 kids and only one of mine was talking a lot at this age... and she still hasn't stopped and she's 16 now...LOL I really wouldn't worry about speech therapy. If she needs it, it will be evident. My nephew didn't say one word but used hand motions and sound effects. They didn't even put him in speech therapy or do anything about it until age 4. And there was a known problem. Your daughter sounds fine. I've heard this a lot where people worry about speech therapy so young. I don't understand this thinking. Two of mine didn't speak at all until 2 1/2 but they were my early readers. I never even thought anything of it. It was weird to have my 18 month old talking. And trust me.... you don't want them talking early. You don't want to know what they're thinking so young. My daughter had to ask everyone everything at age 2 and 3 because he talked non-stop. I was underweight so she asked EVERYONE why they were so fat. lol Your daughter sounds perfectly healthy and "normal" to me. Good luck!!

My youngest wasn't talking much at that age either but his dr didn't seem concerned since my son was making sounds and had a good understanding of what was being said to him. He has in the last couple of months made a big improvement. Give it some time though it's hard not to worry. They do it according to their schedule, not ours (darn it!).

I think you need to follow your instinct on this one. My son was very similar at this age and I did end up calling Infant Child Services and he qualified with a 25% delay. Your child does sound within the normal range of ability and you may not need to do anything additional but for me, I just felt like my son was "behind" and it turns out he was. I agree that you should take advantage of the free services.

I had a lot of people tell me that he'll learn to talk, he won't stay silent forever, etc., etc., but I just felt like he should be communicating more and I'm glad I stuck to my guns.

My son is 2 years 1 month and he really loves his speech therapist and has really made great strides in the last 3 months or so. I've also taught him a few basic signs and that helps a lot too. My opinion is that if you have a way to make it easier on yourself, you should.

Has she been for her 18 month check up yet? Your doctor should be asking you if she's trying to communicate with you. Does she point to things she wants? Does she point to things and then look at you to see if you are looking at the same things?
My son was not pointing or speaking at 18 months. We started speech therapy and they had us use sign language. He really loved the signing time dvds. You can ge them at the library so you can both learn the signs together.

Hard to say. Some of the quiet ones start talking in sentences practically overnight. Try coaxing her more, if she really wants something try to get her to say it. Put her little hand on your lips when you say the word, then put her hand on her lips and tell her "you say it". Other than that the only other person that would really have a good idea would be her pediatrician.

Sounds to me like she is maybe just one of the ones that takes a little longer to develop more words. I mean, she is saying some words, so it's not like she's not talking at all. If you're worried, talk to the Pedi, but unless there are other reasons you feel concerned, my guess would be at this age, she's fine. She'll probably start talking more in the next couple of weeks since she knows she's got you worrying about it ;)
My DD is 17 months old today, and I know a TON can happen in one month; heck, even a week! She can say Momma, Dada (although it's rare, haha ;p), hot, Uh-oh, bye-bye, no, dog, nose (sounds more like No, but she days it while pointing to her nose), ear, eye, owl, and today tried to say bubble when we were blowing bubbles. She has a 4 to sister who talks like crazy, so I'm sure that has helped her too. My friends son was always a few months behind on saying words when our first ones were little. There's not a thing wrong with him--and there wasn't then either. :)

My DD is 20 months old she was a premie so this last check up they assessed her like if she was 18 monthsand said she sould know about 8 words. And my daughter says about 5 good well spoken words but signs around 35 signs but when I spoke to her ped he said even her attempt to say something counts like for where my DD says whersh? And for chicken or cheese she says chsss so he said that counts I was shocked

Check what your ped thinks only he can decide if your bby might need some speech therapy so discuss it with him and see where he thinks your child is at. I was worried about mine but now I see her actually being more vocal :)
Hope this helps

shes fine! dont sweat it momma