Talking and 20-Month Old!

You might want to try to get a book or video of baby sign language and see if you can get him to respond to that because it's fun for them and can help you communicate better with him...kids can be stubborn in a lot of ways...my (almost) 3 year old doesn't want to use the potty..she knows how & has peed & pooped in the potty but when I ask her if she wants to go she says "naaa I want a diaper" sometimes they just have to want to do it and if he feels like you're pushing him to do it he may be rebelling a little bit...good luck.

Hello G.,

Since he does reply when asked a question, it doesnt seem to be a hearing problem. My peds doc gave me great advice one day...maybe she doesnt talk sometimes because, well, she has nothing to say. By four I could not get her to stop....missed some of the quite times....not making light of your concerns, but you will miss those "chatter free days" at one time or another. Well, until they are 15 like my daughter and you have to force them into a conversation..LOL

If this helps my daughter is a sophmore at Mags, just scored in the 99% on her ACT and is extremely articulate. She just thinks before she speaks...She has told me in her head she has alot of conversations played out, just waits to see if it is worth saying...

K.

True every child is different. Some talk more then others.
If you are concerned talk with his pediatrician.

My son wasn't talking at his age. He was tested at Akron Children's speech department. They found that he was far behind. Later Happy Day school tested him less then a month later. he ws only about 6 months behind. He goes to their toddler class 2x a week. He is making progress. We can understand him now. :) He does has Speech Apraxia. But he is getting better

My daughter turned 20 months yesterday, and she says little to nothing. She doesn't use 2 words together, and cannot repeat me on command. She does some word association like "yummmy" when she sees food. But she rarely speaks when not being asked to. Everyone told me that girls speak early and often, and in my case it is not at all true. Your son may be more of a deep thinker, and may not want to express alot of his thoughts yet. But I think our time is comming, and soon we'll wonder when they will be quiet! Happy Holidays.

H.

Seriously don't worry about it yet. First off every kid is different while some are actually asking a few questions at this age, most are not. Just keep doing what you are doing and he will one day surprise you and ask you a question.

I wouldnt worry about it, he is still very young! My oldest was a slow talker and my pediatrician said he wouldnt worry about it unless he turned 3 and still wasnt talking. He turned 3 in October and talks our ears off! Our twins turned 2 in October and they dont talk a lot. They say words and tell us when they want something but they are definitely going to be slow talkers as well. My mom said when I was 2 years old I was having full on conversations! All children are different and they all develop differently! Your son is still very young and has plenty of time!

I wouldn't worry about it. He has plenty of time. A friend of mine had a very quiet toddler until he was 4/5. He is almost 6 now and he'll talk your ear off. It's probably just a part of his personality. Some kids are just quiet observers.

Hi there, I am a speech therapist (primarily working with adults) but I am familiar with child language development and it sounds like you son is fine. You make some great observations about him which tells me you are a very intuitive mom. His comprehension is great as you say he understands everything you say to him and he sounds like a social child, which, in my opinion is so important. It appears that he interacts well with you and your husband by repeating, counting, etc... Does he make eye contact? Does he seek you out for things he needs? Does he point? Does he smile? These are good indicators of his social skills. The language is emerging and I think you will see more soon. You are doing a great job by reinforcing when he doesn't use his works, i.e. for drink and I would keep doing that in a casual manner, not "lesson-like". You might also want to keep a journal of his word as he produces them, he may have more than you think. I went through a similar situation with my first daughter, except that she was a very quiet child. She barely babbled and didn't speak her first word until 14 months. I was a first time mom and was really worried about it to the point that I drove my husband crazy!! It is also hard being a speech therapist because I have seen so many things and I sometimes thought negatively. Now she is 3 1/2 going on 30 and I cannot get her to be quiet for even a second. Goodluck!

G. I had this problem with my youngest daughter who is now 4 or she will be on the 28th. and she still won't talk at times, but with two other kids in the house she didn't have to. even without kids in the hosue it could simply be that most of the time his needs are met or he can get what he wants for himself without asking so he chooses not to, he can obviously speak and hear which are big concerns when a child doesn't talk. you did mention that if eh really wants something that he can't get for himslef like elmo or a drink he does ask, so jsut keep doing what you are doing, teach him new words and have him say them and don't give in when he whines for soemthing instead of asking and he will probally be fine. something you could consider to is oh forgetting teh drink with his dinner or moving a well played with toy somewhere he can't get it on his own to encourage him to ask for things, i knwo it is second nature to do some things but that really worked with my daughter, if the boys wanted something i jsut got 3 of them and she never had to ask so she didn't. good luck and don't worry yourself so much he's a normal little boy by the sound of things

Well I wish I could help but I'm in the same boat sort of. My 21 month old talks to a point and then is just gibberish. My 3 1/2 yr old was different so I honeslty think we are worrying too much and need to be patient. Maybe they are jsut quiet soft spoken children!!

My daughter had the same concerns as you with her daughter. She started teaching her daughter to sign. Fortunately kaylee can talk just fine but I don't think the extra signing hurt her one little bit. I think she used the little einstein series and also found programs on tv. Even when she asks her things they both sign. She took the active choice to help her daughter and kaylee is gonna be 3 in october and talking great.

I know you already summed up but I just wanted to throw in a word or two. My second son has a moderate to severe speech delay. By 2 he was only saying 5 words and by 30 months only 10-15. Plus the words he did say were not intelligible by anyone other than me and his older brother (his Dad couldn't understand him either)He does not have a hearing or comprehension problem. I think at 20 months you don't have to worry yet...BUT keep an eye on it!! Just keep track of his words and if you are truly concerned (you know your child best) ask your doctor for a referral for testing. Not all speech problems are hearing related. If nothing else, having him tested might put your mind at ease. Also, if he ends up needing speech therapy, there are free programs through the county. A lot of health insurances do not cover speech therapy unless your child has had an injury. We found that out the hard way after thousands of dollars in private speech therapy sessions that the insurance wouldn't pay. Good Luck!!