At what point should a baby respond to their name?

I feel like Dd never did and still doesn't really only on occasion. She is 19 mos. She does respond to other "commands" when she's in the right mood. Like go get Lola (her stuffed animal) or do you want milk etc. But in general she just doesn't seem to turn her head when I call her or say her name. She is often in her own world or her own little bubble and either ignores me or just doesn't know her name. She seems a bit delayed in other areas too. I am trying not to stress it but it concerns me at times. Am I overreacting? I feel like she def failed several questions on the MCAT test or wherever it is called at 17 mos but dr never said anything about it.

Re: At what point should a baby respond to their name?

I knew something was up when my DS did not respond to his name but he also did not follow commands, or point, or say words. I had him evaluated at 18 months.

If you are really concerned then you can always request an evaluation through EI.

At what point should a baby respond to their name?

Some flower take longer to bloom. I know it's nerve racking. My son has been at the tail end of the development range with regard to speech. I had him evaulated at 2 and he didn't qualify for services, like your dd he didn't really respond to his name consistenly until closer to 20/22 months.

Have her evaluated as soon as she's 2 (and I only mention 2 because it's 'easier' to qualify for services at that age), doesn't cost anything and it will either give you peace of mind or get her the services she needs. Hang in there and keep watering and giving her sunshine

Re: At what point should a baby respond to their name?

I always say go with your gut. It doesn't hurt to have them evaluated.

Re: At what point should a baby respond to their name?

DD is 14 months and has been responding to her name for a few months. She can also follow simple requests, like, "Bring me the book, please."

Every child is on their own timeline. DS understood EVERYTHING but didn't really start talking until 2.5 years.

Re: At what point should a baby respond to their name?

Re: At what point should a baby respond to their name?

My girls are 6 and 4 and still don't respond to their names.

But really, I think at about 18 months or so they really start to grasp that.

Re: At what point should a baby respond to their name?

By 19 mos, I believe she should be responding to her name (in fact, way earlier than that, really). As is often said, if in your gut you are concerned, an evaluation can't hurt.

Re: At what point should a baby respond to their name?

I don't know what's considered normal or the exact right age but I do remember at one of the well visits in the first year the ped asked on the milestone sheet if they were responding to their name. With both of my kids they were responding to their name at just a few months old.

If you're concerned about your DD I would have her evaluated. It can't hurt, only help.

At what point should a baby respond to their name?

I would check it out. My dd is almost 11 months and has been responding to her name for a while now.

Re: At what point should a baby respond to their name?

She is following 2 step commands so that is a good thing! My girls would turn to their name around 5.5 mo, but then when H was evaluated at 11 mo they were concerned that she didn't during the eval. Well of course not! You gave her a cool new toy and she doesn't give a SH!TT about ME!! She would do it when she wanted to, but not always and never in front of the teachers. B always did looked when I said her name. But H couldn't follow 2 step commands until recently. Every baby develops differently.

Do they have EI where you are? If you have any concerns, definitely set up an eval and don't wait for your ped. I told the ped at their 15 mo apt that H was in EI for responsive and receptive language and she kinda brushed it off like "eh she is fine and she doesn't need it", yet she was evaluated at 11 mo and DID need it and improved SOO much with it.

Re: At what point should a baby respond to their name?

Re: At what point should a baby respond to their name?

Thanks I am going to call and set it up. This is not the only "strange" thing, there is a list of others. But then many things she does fine too, like eye contact, smiles, points, etc. I can't quite figure it out but then again I am not the professional. My sister is a Sp Ed teacher and does testing and and gave me her prof opinion which is that DD has a few delays and odd behaviors and she would def get her tested, it doesn't hurt.

Re: At what point should a baby respond to their name?

Go with your gut. My oldest DS did not always respond to his name. Never really pointed and only sometimes (when he was in the mood) go and get me something if I asked. Had and still has poor eye contact. I also noticed something with his walk that concerened me. Everyone said he was fine including pediatricain. Had him evaulated at 2 and didn't qualify. Had him re-evaluated at 3 as per his teacher and he qualified for alot. I was completely right about everything.
My son has gotten services this past year. (He is in preschool) and has improved so much. It made such a difference. He is going to continue with services next year for kindergarten. The earlier you get services the better.

My second is a completely different child. Pointed at everything, vocabulary is great, understands so much. Will get me what I ask for, great eye contact. That is when I really saw the difference, and what a kid that age should be doing.

Message edited 5/29/2014 3:24:57 PM.

At what point should a baby respond to their name?

I would follow your gut and have her evaluated, it's free anyways. If you choose to do the evaluations now at 20 months and she doesn't qualify, you can have her re-evaluated in another 6 months. I wouldn't wait, it takes a few weeks anyway to start the evaluation process. What other areas do you feel she is delayed in? You will want to ask for those specific evaluations. (Gross motor- PT evaluation (walking, climbing stairs with assistance, using alternate feet, toe walking, Fine Motor- OT, holding objects, puzzles, grasping, SPED/PSY- cognitive delays also include eye contact, behaviors etc). You can FM me if you have questions.