Seeking Advice from Moms on Lack of Speech

The only wayt o see if there is something wrong with her is to have her evaluated by a speech pathologist. And even though many have recommended to go through the school district, I recommend that you don't, and go private. The reason is that the school district is not looking for anything that could be wrong with the child, they are looking for children that qualilfy for services. Even though at first it may seem that the 2 go hand in hand, they do not. To find a speech pathologist that specializes in early child development, start with hospitals that have an early childhood developmental center. I hope this helps.

I have a son who turned 5 in December. He did not say his first "real" word until he was almost 3 (he said "Uh-oh"). He did not say Mama until he was a month away from turning 3. He was in speech therapy for a year, and he has been in "special-ed" preschool since he turned 3.

Now.... you literally cannot get him to stop talking!! Not only can he talk like a pro, but he can READ and WRITE. He started recognizing letters when he first learned how to talk, and he started writing them about a year or so ago (without help). We were EXTREMELY worried about him, but he is catching up so fast, he's about to pass the other kids his age! I guess kids really do learn at their own pace. Just keep talking to her... she really is listening!

Our youngest three daughters have had speech delays. Our 8 yr old didn't start talking really till she was three, and now she doesn't stop. :) She has been in speech therapy for about four years now, once a week. Our 5 yr old has just started talking so we can understand her, she goes with big sister to speech therapy once a week that is helping a lot. Next we have our 2 year old who can say about 5 words. We work with her on sign language (Signing Time dvd's are great). All three of them have fine hearing and no problem learning new things. The two year old can understand everything we tell her, she just can't speak it yet.
We think that the reason maybe because of vaccines gotten when they were babies. Either way, the good news is that the older two are now talking (the 8 yr old is reading) and we expect the 2yr old to talk also. Actually, she "talks" all the time, just doesn't say anything that we can understand. :)
If her parents have had her hearing tested and such, than I'd advise to start teaching her sign language. Little ones can communicate so well through that medium.
Don't stop working on simple words with her either.
I pray that everything works out for your neice. :)

try contacting earlyon or the school district for possible programs and testing....

my 5 yr old went thru early on and they gave her speech testing and therapy....you may need a copy of her hearing test. my daughter is only slightly behind now and when she started head start over 2 yrs ago she was at a 19 mth old level in speech she is now at least a 3 to 4 and a half at last teasting in spring and i do know she is gaining.

good luck and dont let anyone say she cant start speech at this early age. she is my youngest of 4 and the others had no problems. only a trained pathologist can deteermine if she has a speech problem or if she is just gonna be a late bloomer

way way way way to early to be concerned. My 18 month old has no real words yet. Most physicians aren't even concerned until 24 months and most experienced relaxed mothers know that it can be some months after that!

I have a friend whose son didnt speak til 25 months but she was holding a remote control car and he just looked up and said thats a cool car! (nothing before that at all ever!)

if she can follow directions and is listening than I wouldnt worry even a little.

She's still very young. My son didn't start speaking really well until he was 3....now it never stops. She is probably just going to be a very quiet girl. Give her time. The peds. say that if they're not talking by 3 then you should have them evaluated.

I am a speech pathologist and I work with preschoolers. It sounds like by your description that your niece is probably understanding directions pretty well and possibly communicating through other means, such as pointing, gestures etc. If that's the case, I wouldn't worry too much, it could be that she's just not focusing on talking a lot because she is getting her needs met in other ways and is focused on other things like learning to do things, gross motor skills etc. She could have a delay in expressive language, as I work with many children who are very bright and understand language, just are a little delayed expressing themselves verbally. I can't say for sure having not met her, but I would at least suggest to her mom to check into either Early On or your county may even have an infant pre-primary program ( I don't know what county she is in, but I work in Macomb county and they have a MIPPS program for infants). Again, I wouldn't worry too much, but it wouldn't hurt to have her looked at just so you know. I know that all children are different and she may just be a late talker. My son is 16 months old, and he is very verbal, but he always is the last one to achieve the gross motor milestones like sitting, standing, and he isn't even quite walking yet. So it could be nothing, but it still doesn't hurt to check. Hope that helps.

You should research a program called Early On. It is a program that will evaluate and provide speech therapy if needed. My daughter went through the same thing but was not "bad" enough to qualify. If your niece does qualify they have group sessions and will come to her house for speech therapy. It is a state funded program. If you are in Northville you can call the Early Childhood Center at the Main Street location and they will help with the referral. Her pediatrician should also be aware of it. If you aren't in Northville, try calling your local school district's Early Childhood office. They should have a coordinator there or be able to refer you to someone who can help!

L., sometimes kids who dont vocal, are just like you said, doing things, they are taking in their world, and learning and obsorbed in their world, its ok, she will be vocal, hang in there, and keep teaching her, maybe too, she might need to hear more speech, like sing songs to her, but she is only 16 months old, i know of a 18 month old and he is just saying words, so hang in there, and its ok, if nothing wrong then she she is just taking it all in, keep smiling and being a good mom that you are, D. s

Hi L.,
Early On (or TOTE of you live in Wayne County) is your best bet for free services. However as with all free services, it can be hit or miss and the family may want to pursue private services with someone who is familiar with early intervention. If you like, I can give you the phone number to TOTE in order to prevent the run-around. I am a speech pathologist in Wayne County and often work with them. Best of luck to you and your family.

K.

my son was delayed in speech. we called 1-800-early on. they set you up for an evaluation threw your school system. if she is approved they have all types of classes to help (under 3 is free). my son is 2 1/2 , we go to a play class once a week and a teacher comes to the house. any other info or help, just email me.

I teach Kindermusik classes to age 0-3 and some kids at that age say nothing at all and some are babbling or saying whole sentences. I think the gammet really runs all over hte place and if the professionals aren't concerned it might just be that she'll start speaking quite quickly all of a sudden.

I do have 2 students that are 2 years old in the class and both hardly speak still. One is EXTREMELY active and perhaps he's just too busy to talk! And the other is very reserved and quiet. The one mom is very pleased with Kindermusik though because her son is FINALLY picking up some of the words in class because he hears them on the CD's at home too and they went to the Dr. and he would copy what she's saying (something else we're doing in class. ).

Have her parent get in contact with the local Intermediate School District (ISD) to arrange testing and evaluation. Early On is a program that provides free evaluations, support and therapies for children ages 0-5. You do not need a referral from your doctor to get the process started. I see many of the other posts jumping staight to autism - it's not autism or nothing. Healthy child development is very complex and there are literally millions of factors that come into play and can affect a child's behavior. At this point, what is important is getting the support and information you need to help your niece and her family bring her speech and development along and help her grow and thrive.
Also (from experience) I would encourage you to do some Baby Sign or sign language. Start with just a few simple signs and slowly add one or two at a time. Signs like drink, more, eat, etc. help to avoid a lot of pointing, grunting and frustration for everyone.
In addition to signing, you could also use a picture board. Use pictures of everyday items, foods, toys, drinks, etc. and have her point and try to say the word together. Even if she only gets the beginning sound, it's good practice. Make sure you always say the word with the action. (Mmmmmmm. Milk. Susie wants MILK.)
If communication is her challenge, find additional ways to help her communicate. Don't remove the need for speech, just enhance it so that she can let you know what she needs and see that she can be understood.
A final note for you and other parents looking for similar answers -- don't be afraid to be persistent. You are your child's advocate. If you are not comfortable with the first response you get, go get more information and ask more questions. A quick phone call or a 15-minute doctor visit can't always convey what you see on a daily basis. Most importantly, if you see that your child (or your niece) is frustrated it is time to do something differently.
I hope you get the answers you are looking for - Good luck!

My son was the same way. It wasn't till after her turned two that he really began "talking". And it literally happened overnight...one day nothing, the next you couldn't stop him if you wanted to. And for almost that full year it was just one word at a time but now, he just turned three in January, he is using full sentences...and again this pretty much happend over night. One day it was mama, dada, milk...then the next day it was I love you mama and can I please have some milk. It was the strangest thing. I too was a bit worried, because my daughter was speaking in full sentences before she was two, so this was quite a difference! I say look into it, it doesn't hurt to have them evaluated, but don't be too concerned more than likely she will start when she is good and ready! Kids are funny like that aren't they?

you should also look for a food allergy. I know of a friend who's son was allergic to milk. When they took the milk out of his diet he started talking, which he wasn't doing (at least much of). I am not saying this is true in your niece's case, but can't hurt to make sure. He was 3 when they figured it out, his two older brothers had milk and wheat allergies and mom had removed milk from the family diet. It was the milk because when she reintroduced the milk all progress stopped. The milk was removed again and he progressed again.
Good Luck!

Hi L.,

I thought that my twins were behind in their speech and my doctor recomended that I get hold of early on. They came out and evaluated my kids and got back to me. If you call early on they will call you back and set up a date with your school distict. I believe the number is 888-earlyon. They were very nice and came out to my house meant with me and my kids then came back out later to evaluat them. They will give you help up until the age of 3, if your children need help and even give you ways to help them out. Good luck.

My son was the same way. I didn't know enough to have him evaluated and listened to people 'trying to help' along the way telling me he was fine and would learn to talk in his own time. He is severely Autistic. Get her assessed soon. They can diagnose Autism as early as 18 months. It is the #1 reason for speech delays. Oh, and start googling.

The dr was very concerned with my lo because she wasn't talking at all at 15 months. At 18 months, she was mimicing a bit but had less than 10 words and related sounds. He wanted to refer her to a specialist and I thought that it was unnecessary. Now at 21 months, she is beginning to use sentences and her vocabulary grows daily. She finishes the rhymes in the books that we read. I know that she's fine and I don't worry about it. I wouldn't worry about your neice either. Give her a few more months. Some just develop speech slower.

Does she have an older sibling? My nephew did not do much until after he was 2 because his older sibling did it for him. Just something to consider.

my daughter also didn't talk at all at that age...we started w/ having her evaluated w/ early on through our school district (GISD)...she also didn't qualify for services...they saw no sign of autism...just wasn't bad enough to warrant service...it was free and a speech therapist came to our house...

the doctors were never concerned and we took her to 3 for advice...she now says very simple words (mama, dada, baby) but is very behind (she's 2 and 4 mths). we finally got a referral to a speech therapist...

the speech therapist thinks she is just severly behind...but eventually will start talking...we've been just trying to follow what the dr's say and try not to stress too much...

i'm also interested in the responses...thanks for the question!

No matter what all the "milestone" lists say your average child is not as loquatious as they think they should be...
All 3 of my munchkins have been closer to 2 - 2 1/2 before the words started pouring out of their mouths unhindered.
BUT before that they would all point and grunt. In my book that counts.
I would hear them make a sound that sounded like a word. And get all excited... Then not hear it again until it came flooding out of their mouths as a perfectly enunciated sentance.
Just keep talking to her and trying to coax her to say things... Like asking her if she wants her cup while handing it to her and saying cup/ juice/ dollie... She will get it.She is probibly practiceing in her head and preparing for the day she will floor you all.

Wasn't it Einstein who didn't talk till he was 3? Or was that Bethoven...

Check out the CHAT (Checklist for Autistic Toddlers) and skim the milestones for a 16 month old at the CDC web site, "Learn the Signs" and make sure the baby does not have any early signs of autism.

A 16 month old is eligible for Birth-to-Three services in her state, and in Michigan, ours is called "Early On". If the problem is any kind of apraxia, Nancy Kaufman at Kaufman Center in West Bloomfield, is well known for her expertise in that area.

Some parents, WITH THEIR PEDIATRICIAN'S OKAY, have used oomega 3 fatty acids with late talkers -- please research that one and don't try it w/o a doctor's okay. Check out a book called "The Late Talker," for more information.

I agree with the responder who mentioned a food allergy. And MILK (actually milk protein, called casein) would be the first thing I'd consider as a contributor. Gluten would be second. (gluten is found in grains like wheat, barley, rye, malt, and some oats, due to cross contamination issues)

I would be more concerned about the baby not being able to follow the gaze of an adult, not being able to follow the point of an adult, not being able to engage in peek-a-boo than I would worry about sounds at this point. There's a huge amount of joint attention that should have developed by 16 months, a LOT of non-verbal reciprocity that grows before labels like words come into play. Does she have a 16 month old reciprocity, non-verbally, with adults?

At 16 months its not much of a concern yet. A good friend of mine, both her kids barely spoke a word before they turned 2, and now you can't make them stop talking! I would have your neiece's mom bring it up at her 18 month check up if she is still concerned then.

When my son was 18 months old he was still not speaking....anything. Not even a "mama"! I was very worried and had him assessed for developmental issues through the Plymouth Canton school district. His doctor told me not to worry and suggested the assessment more to calm my worries than the concern that something was actually wrong with my son. The assessment said he wasn't delayed to my shock so we waited to see what would happen. Well, he is just fine and took off talking a few months later. In fact, he won't stop talking now. He is 3 and is doing just fine. I had to accept that some things are just according to the child's timetable and it will happen.

Hi L.,

I am a speech pathologist and a mother of 3. My younger 2 didn't start talking until after 18 months. My 2 year old has just taken off and now she is never quiet. I wouldn't be too concerned, but if she isn't saying anything by 18 months you should call your local school district. They have therapists that come to the house to evaluate and treat. As long as she understands everything, follows directions, makes choices, etc. I wouldn't be too concerned. I obviously haven't met her, but don't jump to autism just yet. :)

You could also try baby sign to facilitate speech. Pair the sign "more" with requiring her to put her lips together to form an "mmmmmmmm." Just a suggestion.

C.

I'd have to agree that it's too early to be worried, especially if she seems bright in every other way and is social and appropriately interactive with other people. My son really didn't talk until he was a little over two, and now he's 3 1/2, talks up a storm, and has quite an impressive vocabulary! My daughter is 15 months and sounds like your neice--she makes gurgly sounds, squeals and raspberries, but no real consonant sounds. She points and grunts to communicate, and actually gets her message across quite well! From what I hear, alot of kids don't talk until they're closer to two...