When did your child start talking?

[Moosemomma]

However, your friend should consult her pediatrician at the next regularly scheduled appointment and see if the doc thinks her child needs to be evaluated.

You don't have to wait for a pediatrician referral for an Early Intervention evaluation, anyone can refer a child (parents, day care, grandparents, etc). Pediatricians often take a "wait and see" approach and don't suggest evaluating until closer to age three which can be a huge disservice to the child and family. Sometimes all it takes is a few months of EI for the child to catch up, especially if EI begins early.

 

[deerhart]

Take this advice from a Mom with a speech delay boy (which was diagnosed at about 30 months of age).

The general rule of thumb is stringing 2 words together around 24 months and that they are 40-50% intelligible by a stranger. They should have about 25-30 words at age 2. By age 3 they should be 75% intelligible to a stranger and have about 1000+ words.

There are many things that can make a child unintelligible. The simplest is that the child is tongue tied. No one noticed my son was tongue tied until he was 3 years old (and a simple 5 minute operation took him from about 30% to almost 100% intelligible).

My son was deemed 50% delayed in both receptive and expressive language. Despite that, he could still string together 7-10 word sentences at age 3 but had a horrible time answering questions etc.. Part of this delay was because my child also has a Central Auditory Processing disorder. He also had tons of ear infections as a child.

There are simple things you can do to check receptive speech. Can the child put a toy under a chair or on a chair or in a box when told to? Can the child follow 1-2 step directions (get your toy and put it here).

Also follow your gut. Parents instincts are generally right on and if someone thinks something is wrong, there is nothing wrong with having it checked out.

If you have a Parents as Teachers program, they will do a screening at 24 and 32 months on the child.

The problem with EI depends on the rules in your state. Here, the child must have a 50% delay in one area or 2, 25% delays. My son's speech delay was deemed 40% so we had to find a 25% delay elsewhere (they used OT/behavioral-sensory). At age three, the delay doesn't have to be that bad to receive services.

 

[ZanyToes]

I tend to not worry at all about things like this.

My 1st kiddo talked in complete sentences very very early.. she had short sentences down by a year old. My middle kiddo was speaking in sentences by 2.. My youngest is just now repeating everything we say at 26 months old.. and it's pretty babbly still. He's just a quieter dude than the others were. Doesn't bother me in the slightest.

 

[disfan07]

I was watching The Doctors last week and they addressed this and they were saying that 2 years old is about when they should be putting 2 words together like, all gone or milk please, etc.
So I would say give it another month or 2 and see where he is at that point.

It always amazed me at how varied teh vocabulary of teh 2 year olds was at the preschool I worked at. some of teh two year olds were barely using 2 or 3 words together while others were talkign in full adn clear sentences.

If she is concerned, I would talk to his pediatrician adn see what they think.

 

[mjkacmom]

Okay, this is a soapbox issue for me (as well as booster seats and puppy mills).

!. You usually see the pediatrician 15 minutes a year, and pediatricians are known to be the ST's nemesis.

2. If you ask for an evaluation, and your child qualifies, ST is in the best interest of the child (and there are more children needing services than there are therapists, so don't worry that they'll say your child needs ST even if he/she doesn't).

3. If you ask for an evaluation, and your child doesn't qualify, what a relief.

4. If you have your child evaluated, and he/she doesn't need ST, you've given up an hour of your time.

5. If you don't have your child evaluated, and it turns out, later on, that the child is not just a late talker, but has issues, you've not only wasted time, but valuable time, because ST works MUCH better and faster on younger children.

Jumping off.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

How much talking does the 4 yr old do for the younger one? If the older one speaks for the little guy, he has no reason to talk. It happens quite often where a older sibling speaks for the younger one so the younger learns he/she doesn't have to talk to get what they want.

My Mom insists I didn't start talking until I was four years old. I had four older sisters, and according to my Mom, all I had to do was point at something, and they would get it for me.

I wouldn't be overly concerned. Every child develops at a different pace. They will crawl when they decide it is time, will walk when they decide it is time, and talk when they decide it is time. Heck, they will even be potty trained when they decide it is time.

 

[Tristen79]

She was doing a bit of talking prob 30-40 words at 12 mos, 200 or so by about 2 yrs and has gotten better and better.

I remember worrying about all the same things though and they just find it all in their own stride

 

[eeyoremum]

DS15 did not speak until after his 3rd birthday. He then spoke in full sentences. It was almost like he was not going to utter a word until he could complete his thought. He is very quiet by nature and will only talk if he has something to say.

DS10 seems like he has been talking since the day he was born. Seriously, he had an undiagnosed milk allergy that caused him to scream 20 hours a day for the first 4 months of his life then he was talking. He talks or makes sounds, sings whatever all the time. To the point where we tell him it is okay to be silent once in a while.

 

[puffkin]

I was concerned with DS. He was in a home daycare with 3 other kids that had a birthday within 1 week of each other. Crazy coincidence. They were all talking by their 2nd birthday, DS was saying about 10 words. He did babble a lot though.

I had him evaluated by EI and he barely qualififed for services but we did qualify which was great. He started meeting weekly with a ST (she came to our home) and after about 3 months a light just clicked. Literally from one Saturday to the next he went from speaking a word here or there to full adult sentences (like Mommy, can I have something to drink?). It was unbelievable and basically overnight. He did have some age appropriate pronunciation issues, but she worked with him for another 3 months or so to help his clarity. His last visit with the ST was the weekend before he turned 3. He is now almost 4 and has one of the most advanced vocabularies in his preschool class and is one of the clearest speakers.

Would he have gotten there on his own? I think he would have, but you just never know. I can tell you that I got a ton of peace of mind by having him go through the process. I just think I would have regretted it so much if we hadn't had him evaluated and an easy "fix" at 2 would have become a huge ordeal at 5. I wasn't willing to risk that!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Actually, a gap between expressive language and receptive language is a red flag.

Agreed! DS14 had no problem with complex directions, just couldn't say a word. The bigger the gap, the more likely that there could be a disability and not just a delay.

Okay, this is a soapbox issue for me (as well as booster seats and puppy mills).

!. You usually see the pediatrician 15 minutes a year, and pediatricians are known to be the ST's nemesis.

2. If you ask for an evaluation, and your child qualifies, ST is in the best interest of the child (and there are more children needing services than there are therapists, so don't worry that they'll say your child needs ST even if he/she doesn't).

3. If you ask for an evaluation, and your child doesn't qualify, what a relief.

4. If you have your child evaluated, and he/she doesn't need ST, you've given up an hour of your time.

5. If you don't have your child evaluated, and it turns out, later on, that the child is not just a late talker, but has issues, you've not only wasted time, but valuable time, because ST works MUCH better and faster on younger children.

Jumping off.

Well, I don't give booster seats much thought. Maybe that's because all of mine are too big for regular car seats (including DD who is almost 7 and the tallest girl in her class) but otherwise, I will jump on your sopabox with you. As an elementary SPED teacher, I've seen too many parents wait and then regret it.

 

[tttessa]

Hi - my 2 started talking early REALLY - really, really early (by 18months full 10+ word sentences) - and have not shut up since!!! So take some relief from the peace and quiet - it may not last long!!!!

But, seriously, I work at a school, and it still surprises me the variety in speech abilities between kids, up until about age 7.. Boys do seem slower than girls to speak intelligible sentences, some even start at school unable to string together more than 3 or 4 words at age 4 over here.... but once they get going, their vocabulary seems to grow overnight.

Remember Einstein didn't start to talk until past age 3! If there are no other concerns I would just provide encouragement through talking, asking direct questions etc, some families do not talk a lot, so some kids talk less than others... mmmmmmmm does that tell me something about my own talk habits, with my 2 chatterboxes - now aged 9 and 7!!!

Tessa

 

[syudelson]

First of all, I think it never hurt to have them evaluated early, but until then don't worry too much because all kids are different. Cas in point:

My oldest daughter(8) spoke early with perfect pronunciation, was speaking in full sentences well before her second birthday and would parrot ANYTHING you asked her to say. She also spoke nonstop all the time(and still does to my chagrin).

My youngest daughter(20 months) speaks very well too - not quite as clearly as older sis did, but has a huge vocab and is stringing words together. But refuses to repeat something when asked, saying she's "all done".

My son (now 5) said mama and dada at 10mo then nothing for months, he slowly added a few words here and there, but rarely used them and NEVER would repeat a word, even if it was one I knew he knew. At 2, I had him evaluate because I was so worried, but he didn't qualify. At 2.5 his big sister went off to school and I swear, within a month not only he was speaking in full sentences, but also was speaking NONSTOP. Now, you'd never know he started late and when he's rambling on and on, we all just kind of look at each other in exasperation and say "and this if the child we thought would never talk."

 

[katiegel]

Our DS is 12 1/2 mo old and his idea of talking is making truck noises...haha. We just had his 1 year checkup yesterday w/ the pedi. who said he was not concerned at all. DS can say "mama" and "dada" but we're not sure if he knows what they mean. Our pedi was more concerned with the fact that DS understands words versus saying them. And DS understands a lot! Which I suppose is ok. I wouldn't worry too much about it - all kids are different. According to my MIL (eh), DH only said "no" until he was 3. When he went to get tested the dr's decided he just didn't want to speak...so each child is different!

 

[DW2010]

I think DD was a early talker. She said her first sentence at 18 months old and already had tons of words. BUT, it really does vary with kids.

 

[dawminatrix]

my youngest DD didn't start talking until 2 years and 2 months old...she would hardly say anything, then my parents visited over July 4th, the day after they left...she just started babbling on and on!! - she's only been talking for 6 months...hard to believe how fast they learn!

 

[PigletsMommy]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their responses...I read thru all the responses and there is great advice in here! I knew I would find it here!

For those that suggested his older brother talks for him... I'm going to start watching out for this and see if its part of the problem.

Someone mentioned tongue tied... I remember his mom saying something about it when he was born so I'm going to ask her again and make sure they had it clipped or if they need to get it done.

He does follow direction and respond accordingly. "Where's your cup?" He goes and gets and brings it to me. "Its time to go bye bye, go get your coat" and he goes to get it and brings it to me. So I know he understands what I ask...he just doesnt say much to respond.

His mom and I have talked about it. I know she is trying to work with him at home and I will continue encouraging him to talk here. I did suggest speech therapy the other day and she did not seem that concerned yet. So I will give him a few more months and if things don't change I might suggest it again. Thanks again for all the responses!

 

[Keri]

You know, with stuff like this I think both sides are correct:
1) kids really vary on when they start talking, and
2) it NEVER hurts to get an evaluation.

My 3 kids have all been VERY different when it comes to speech. DS had about 10 words on his first birthday, started walking & lost pretty much all of them, and then had TONS of words between 18 months and two, but refused to put them together at all. I remember the very painful process of getting him to say "more juice" or "down please" or whatever. Once he got 2, 3 wasn't as hard & then it clicked & he was speaking in sentences. But I know at 2 he was not putting words together, but that was the time we started really pressing him on it.

My second child was a girl, and since her brother was only 18 months older than her, she wanted to do everything he did. She was an earlier talker. About the same amount of words by 18 months, but she started putting them together much earlier and by 2 I know she was speaking in full sentences.

My third is 20 months. She just in the past few weeks has started putting some words together (Lanie school, coat on, mama cup, etc) and her vocabulary is really taking off. She's parroting more (though she's stubborn & often refuses!!) and singing/learning words to songs. But not that long ago, my husband was questioning whether she was talking enough.

ANyway, if it's worrysome, suggest an eval. Can't hurt anything, can only help

 

[brergnat]

Remember Einstein didn't start to talk until past age 3!

Einstein is also thought to have had Autism...

I have a son with Autism as well as the one with the speech delay. My autistic son had ZERO receptive language delay, and only a mild expressive delay. Once he started talking, though, he had a HUGE vocabulary, mainly consisting of labels of things.

My speech delayed son also had NO issues with receptive language (could understand everything I said, and followed directions, etc.) He DID babble and had a couple words, but he is still diagnosed with Apraxia. The person who said that if the child babbles and has a couple words cannot have Apraxia is WRONG. Apraxia can cause a child to be able to say a word perfectly one time, and then "forget" how to say it later. It's a very complex disorder.

And, if my post "alarmed" you...good! That was my point. There is NO reason to "wait it out" when all these interventions and early screenings are FREE as well as the therapy (only until 3y/o, which is why it's extremely important to have a child evaluated at the FIRST sign of a problem).

I stand by my first post. This child should be evaluated. If it's nothing, then you can all breathe easy.

My biggest pet peeve is parents who don't get their children the help they need for fear of their child being "labeled." I equate that to child abuse...

 

[jodifla]

Einstein is also thought to have had Autism...

I have a son with Autism as well as the one with the speech delay. My autistic son had ZERO receptive language delay, and only a mild expressive delay. Once he started talking, though, he had a HUGE vocabulary, mainly consisting of labels of things.

My speech delayed son also had NO issues with receptive language (could understand everything I said, and followed directions, etc.) He DID babble and had a couple words, but he is still diagnosed with Apraxia. The person who said that if the child babbles and has a couple words cannot have Apraxia is WRONG. Apraxia can cause a child to be able to say a word perfectly one time, and then "forget" how to say it later. It's a very complex disorder.

And, if my post "alarmed" you...good! That was my point. There is NO reason to "wait it out" when all these interventions and early screenings are FREE as well as the therapy (only until 3y/o, which is why it's extremely important to have a child evaluated at the FIRST sign of a problem).

I stand by my first post. This child should be evaluated. If it's nothing, then you can all breathe easy.

My biggest pet peeve is parents who don't get their children the help they need for fear of their child being "labeled." I equate that to child abuse...

Wow.

 

[mjkacmom]

Einstein is also thought to have had Autism...

I have a son with Autism as well as the one with the speech delay. My autistic son had ZERO receptive language delay, and only a mild expressive delay. Once he started talking, though, he had a HUGE vocabulary, mainly consisting of labels of things.

My speech delayed son also had NO issues with receptive language (could understand everything I said, and followed directions, etc.) He DID babble and had a couple words, but he is still diagnosed with Apraxia. The person who said that if the child babbles and has a couple words cannot have Apraxia is WRONG. Apraxia can cause a child to be able to say a word perfectly one time, and then "forget" how to say it later. It's a very complex disorder.

And, if my post "alarmed" you...good! That was my point. There is NO reason to "wait it out" when all these interventions and early screenings are FREE as well as the therapy (only until 3y/o, which is why it's extremely important to have a child evaluated at the FIRST sign of a problem).

I stand by my first post. This child should be evaluated. If it's nothing, then you can all breathe easy.

My biggest pet peeve is parents who don't get their children the help they need for fear of their child being "labeled." I equate that to child abuse...

My sister's ds with apraxia can say a word perfectly, and then totally different the next time he says it. It's a tough road, but with excellent outcomes with therapy. I agree with you - what is the harm of an evaluation? There is harm in waiting, however, if there is a problem. Why wait and see? It's crazy. Even my sister's DH didn't want to have his kids evaluated. I'd hate to see where they'd be now if they waited.