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18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

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LiveItUp
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18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

My 18 month old ds knows about 10 words, and of those most of them he doesn't say properly, but more in his own "baby language" like "wawa" for "water." I'm not sure if I should be concerned or not, because my dd knew at least 50 words if not more when she was 18 months. But I think she was on the early side for language development, so I'm trying not to use her as comparison. However, I have noticed that in the past couple months ds hasn't really learned any NEW words. The 10 or so that he knows, he's been saying for a couple months. And he doesn't seem to be improving his pronunciation of the words we practice frequently. He also seems to have forgotten some words that he knew a couple months ago. Some words he used to clearly say, I haven't heard him say in a while. Isn't this the age when his vocab is supposed to be exploding?

Posted 10/25/17 4:47 PM
 
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mommy2be716
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18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

I've heard boys typically speak later than girls do... DD is 15 months, and says more than 10 words, but I don't have any other kids so I can't really compare to the "norm"

ETA: Found this on PBS.org- At 12 months, the average child says up to three words and may also communicate by grunting, nodding, pointing, etc. At 15 months, the average child says 14 words. At 16 months, the average child says 40 words. At 18 months, the average child says 68 words

Message edited 10/25/2017 4:57:15 PM.

Posted 10/25/17 4:56 PM
 

LiveItUp
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Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

Posted by mommy2be716

I've heard boys typically speak later than girls do... DD is 15 months, and says more than 10 words, but I don't have any other kids so I can't really compare to the "norm"

ETA: Found this on PBS.org- At 12 months, the average child says up to three words and may also communicate by grunting, nodding, pointing, etc. At 15 months, the average child says 14 words. At 16 months, the average child says 40 words. At 18 months, the average child says 68 words



Thanks, yes I saw similar average amount of words for ds's age when I Googled it. Now I am starting to feel concerned. He doesn't know anywhere even close to 68!

Posted 10/25/17 5:06 PM
 

edfilippi
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Erica

Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

My ds1 spoke a little later. I had him evaluated for speech twice. He never qualified. He always scored well on receptive which I knew he understood what I was saying. He is 4 and talks fine. I was concerned especially when he was 2 but it all worked out fine. If you are worried get him evaluated. It will at least ease your worries. DS2 on the other hand speaks so much and he is 2.5 years old. Every kid is different.

Posted 10/25/17 5:41 PM
 

MrsT809
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18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

Those estimates seem way high to me. My first was very verbal, very early so I definitely had no idea what to expect with my second. At a year I don't think she had any words, at 15 months she maybe had 2 or 3 but the doctors weren't concerned yet. Somewhere between 18 and 20 months she had a language explosion. I think with 10 words (even approximations) at his age I would just give it a little more time. Obviously talk to your ped but I don't think I'd be looking to get an evaluation that young unless he didn't have any words.

Posted 10/25/17 6:38 PM
 

LuckyStar
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Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

Posted by MrsT809

Those estimates seem way high to me. My first was very verbal, very early so I definitely had no idea what to expect with my second. At a year I don't think she had any words, at 15 months she maybe had 2 or 3 but the doctors weren't concerned yet. Somewhere between 18 and 20 months she had a language explosion. I think with 10 words (even approximations) at his age I would just give it a little more time. Obviously talk to your ped but I don't think I'd be looking to get an evaluation that young unless he didn't have any words.



This. My ped told me it should be 10 words at 18 months, including approximations.

Posted 10/25/17 8:00 PM
 

phoenix913
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V

Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

My ped told me with boys he doesn't get concerned until 2. So I say give it more time. That said after reading these responses I'm getting concerned about my 15 month old who has no words...

Posted 10/25/17 8:06 PM
 

LiveItUp
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Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

Posted by LuckyStar

Posted by MrsT809

Those estimates seem way high to me. My first was very verbal, very early so I definitely had no idea what to expect with my second. At a year I don't think she had any words, at 15 months she maybe had 2 or 3 but the doctors weren't concerned yet. Somewhere between 18 and 20 months she had a language explosion. I think with 10 words (even approximations) at his age I would just give it a little more time. Obviously talk to your ped but I don't think I'd be looking to get an evaluation that young unless he didn't have any words.



This. My ped told me it should be 10 words at 18 months, including approximations.



Ok, that makes me feel better. He does seem to understand a lot, and he follows simple directions, points to things we ask for ( like if we say point to the cow, pig, horse, train, plane, etc... He can do that) He just doesn't say the words.

Posted 10/25/17 8:08 PM
 

PitterPatter11
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Momma <3

18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

My son only had a handful of words at that age. He turned 2 and suddenly had an extensive vocabulary overnight.

Posted 10/25/17 9:10 PM
 

PitterPatter11
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18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

http://www.lifamilies.com/chat/topic.aspx?&P=1&ID=867864&Highlight=18%20month#P9626375

Posted 10/25/17 9:13 PM
 

SLPRunner
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Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

My DS was very similar at 18 months. By 2 his language was really expanding. I wouldn't worry too much about how he says the words or how clearly they sound. Long as he is trying and expressing himself. I was worried about my son at that age too. And I'm a speech pathologist. Having never worked with young children, I didn't know what to expect. I trusted my gut and know at 3 he doesn't shut up. His articulation isn't the best, but he makes himself understood.

But if you are concerned, you could always go for an evaluation. That's just the advice I'd give anyone.

Posted 10/25/17 9:34 PM
 

MrsS2005
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B

Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

My pediatrician wanted to see 5-10 words by 18 months and said boys tend to have the language explosion closer to 2. I'm pretty sure animal sounds count as words too as do approximations. The words don't need to be spoken perfectly as long as he's consistently using the same sounds for that word. Both of my kids had more words at that point, but the real explosion definitely happened closer to 2.

Posted 10/26/17 4:57 AM
 

BsMomma2014
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nicole

Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

Posted by phoenix913

My ped told me with boys he doesn't get concerned until 2. So I say give it more time. That said after reading these responses I'm getting concerned about my 15 month old who has no words...



This is what my doctor told me too. He said since my DS comprehended everything he was not concerned. He spoke limited at 24 months around 27 months he woke up and would not shut up lol

Posted 10/26/17 6:49 AM
 

NoPlaceLikeHome
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18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

My dr told me she wants at least 5 words at 18 months. My first DS was an early talker and DS2 is severely speech delayed so I know it’s hard not to compare. 10 words at 18months sounds like he’s on track!

Message edited 10/26/2017 7:19:55 AM.

Posted 10/26/17 7:19 AM
 

Momma2015
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Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

My niece barely spoke before 2. They were just getting ready to have her evaluated and then boom- she started talking non stop. She's four now and speaks SO well. I wouldn't worry just yet.

Posted 10/26/17 8:17 AM
 

MrsO
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Maureen

Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

My son had no words at 18 months and didn't qualify. He qualified when he was 2. If there are no other delays it would be hard to qualify at 18 months

Posted 10/26/17 9:28 AM
 

Ellsey10
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18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

I wouldn't be concerned. My dr said at his 18 month check up if I didn't see an improvement by his 2 year old check up that she wanted to get him evaluated. He is going to be 2 next month and within that time he has been babbling/trying to say a lot more. He tries to say "good girl" (to my dogs) and while it isn't clear you know what he's trying to say. Give your son more time. I was very concerned about my son's speech but he has really improved within the last few months.

Is your son around other kids his age? I noticed once I started bringing him to his gym his speech started to improve.

Posted 10/26/17 9:51 AM
 

LiveItUp
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Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

Posted by Ellsey10

I wouldn't be concerned. My dr said at his 18 month check up if I didn't see an improvement by his 2 year old check up that she wanted to get him evaluated. He is going to be 2 next month and within that time he has been babbling/trying to say a lot more. He tries to say "good girl" (to my dogs) and while it isn't clear you know what he's trying to say. Give your son more time. I was very concerned about my son's speech but he has really improved within the last few months.

Is your son around other kids his age? I noticed once I started bringing him to his gym his speech started to improve.



I bring him to library programs with kids his age, but they don't really intereact with one another, still too young i think. He does play with his 5 year old sister a lot though, and he tries to imitate her actions, but not her word, but she probably talks too fast and too much for him to have a chance to pick up any words from her Chat Icon

Posted 10/26/17 10:01 AM
 

drpepper318
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me

Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

Don't worry. I'm sure he's fine. My oldest at 18 mo could only say mama and dada... that was it. By 2 he maybe had a dozen words, maybe less. I worried he'd never talk. He qualified for speech. But he understood everything. Around 27 months he had a huge increase in vocabulary all of a sudden & starting putting words together. And shortly thereafter it was complete sentences with good grammar too lol. He was listening and absorbing it all along. When he was evaluated again by a SP right before his third birthday, they actually rated him as advanced for his age... I was thrilled because for real a year earlier I worried he'd never talk lol. Now at 4 he talks just fine! So a delay can mean nothing.

Posted 10/26/17 2:47 PM
 

babyfever24
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Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

As long as he can follow instructions ( within reason), imitate, identify a few body parts, points and has words that you can understand (his words for things such as wawa for water) he will not qualify for anything.....if he is the same in a few months i would revisit the idea....good luck!

Posted 10/26/17 7:32 PM
 

FirstMate
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Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

I wouldn't worry about expressive language until 2. How's his receptive language? Does he understand, follow commands, etc.?

Posted 10/26/17 11:36 PM
 

Bebelove
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Re: 18 month old - when to be concerned with language development?

My 18 month old says maybe 10-15 words and he really has to be in the mood! Don't worry one day you'll be begging him to stop talking lol

Posted 10/27/17 7:52 PM
 
 

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