DS speech

[Mimi]

I can't stop worrying about DS' speech.  He's not talking as much as the other kids his age (20mos) in daycare.  A week ago, most of his classmates were moved up including the ones younger (a month or 2) than him but are talkers.

I talked to his teacher about his speech.  She doesn't think it's something to worry about at this time.  But looking at the other kids make me worry.  A younger one at daycare can say "Hi Sophie."  DS can't say Sophie (DD's name).  The only 2-word phrases he can say is "hi daddy" and "hi mama."  Plus, my experience with my older one is not helping; she was a talker at 18mos.

Please tell me to stop worrying.

[Deleted]

Do you have any reasons to be concerned? DS was a late talker, and it ended up being because he had residual fluid on his ears from prior ear infections. You probably have nothing to worry about - the milestone I was after was 2-word phrases by 2 years. I think boys often lag girls on speech.

[mrsfarmer]

DD1 will be 3 next month and had an explosion in understandable speech from Thanksgiving on. So much so that she is graduating out of Early Intervention.

[Mimi]

@tokenhoser DS never had an ear infection which I found surprising since DD had constant ear infection and became a talker after they put on tubes at 14mos. I was not worried until I started noticing the other kids talking more and the younger ones (girls) moving up in daycare.

@mrswindycity I believe he has a decent amount of words. I'm guessing at least 30 words.

[Deleted]

I have a feeling most professionals will tell you to give it a few months. Wait until he's 2 and if he's not meeting milestones, then you can pursue more treatment/services.

[wilbs]

I wouldn't be concerned at all. DS will be 19 months next week and isn't speaking in phrases yet. At his 18 month appt, he had about 15 words including a few signs and our pedi was okay with that. He's probably doubled that since then as he's had quite the word explosion. It really seems to happen overnight.

I also agree that boys tend to be on the later side in terms of speech.

ETA - Just saw your update. My friend just took her son in for his 18 month check up last week and he only has a handful of words. They wanted her to come back in three months if he didn't have 15-20 words by then. I would think 30 words at 20 months is well within the range of normal.

[osulori]

At least 30 words at 20 mos and starting to put words together are both good for 20 mos. From the SLP side of things, I wouldn't worry quite yet-like PPs have mentioned, he's getting to a prime age for a language explosion.

[Mimi]

Thanks everyone. I need to stop focusing on what the other kids can say.

[Deleted]

Feb 4, 2015 11:13:00 GMT -5 Mimi said:

I believe he has a decent amount of words. I'm guessing at least 30 words.

That's right around where we are as well at 20 months and I am not concerned because he is consistently gaining new words. He has very few two word phrases. I'm struggling to recall them at the moment but I'm pretty sure they are just "bye Daddy" and "choo choo train."

[quickstepstar]

I wouldn't be worriesd. You can always have him evaluated through EI if you are. Mine were all late talkers. DD1&2 started saying WORDS only at around 2.5. DD3, at 2.3 or so.

ETA All 3 were talking in full sentences and telling stories by the time they turned 3.

[scribellesam]

DS1 was a pretty slow talker and had maybe 5-10 words at that age. He's still behind his peers a bit at 32mo but did not qualify for speech services. Don't let the advanced kids throw you off, there's a wide range of normal here.

[spk926]

If you're worried call your district and ask for an assessment. Tell them you have speech concerns.

Everyone told me not to worry, that DD was fine. DH thought I was silly for contacting EI. Even my daycare lady couldn't believe I had concerns. Well......DD qualified and is getting help starting tomorrow. She's slightly behind but enough where her scores qualified her.

You're the mom and moms have good intuition. There is no harm in getting an EI assessment done and it's completely free.

[dcn]

At 20 months my Ds had like 10 words, right around his second birthday his language took off and now I can't even count how many words he has. He says new things everyday. Some kids just take longer. Try not to worry, but don't hesitate to discuss with your pedi either.

[kaycee]

DD is about the same age and has a lot of words and a couple phrases, but is not talking. I am not concerned because her comprehension is great and she's gaining new words all the time. If she isn't talking by two then I will chat with my pedi about it.

[formerlyllizzyb]

My DS had 15-20 words at 24 months. No phrases.
At 30 months, he had 250ish words and phrases.
He's now 34 months and talks in sentences.
He was discharged from EI early this month because he no longer qualifies.

[minzy]

I agree with the others that it sounds normal, but if you are truly concerned, contact your county's early intervention program (called Infants and Toddlers where I am).  The evaluation is free, but your peace of mind is priceless.  Both of my kids have been evaluated for communication (DD2 just last week at 16 months).  There is some space between a child being a little slower than average and having a major delay, and that's where I'm sitting as a parent right now.  (Here there has to be a 25% delay in order to qualify for services.)  Being aware that a lag exists, staying on top of it by getting it checked out if the parent and/or pediatrician feels it necessary, and encouraging the formation of new skills have kept me from worrying too much about it.  

DD2 is right on the crease, and I declined services for now.  I do not feel deep down that something is off; I just think she's a little behind (her sister was the same exact way and had a big word explosion between 20-21 months and is as "normal" a nearly four year old as she can be).  I have been working with DD2 on specific things lately and have already noticed her picking up little skills just this past week.  I have the option of calling back for a recheck on her communication, which would apparently be able to happen quickly since we're already "in the system."  If I have any doubts at all about her progress in the next few months, I will not hesitate to call them back.

I know how you feel about comparing... I remember wanting to both laugh and cry when one of DD1's friends correctly identified a "crab" at 17 months, because it was so absurd to me that my kid would be able to do that at that age.

[roo54]

DD is almost 2, and only has about 10 words or so. At her 2 year check up we will be getting the ball rolling on the early intervention program. I'm not too concerned because she seems to understand everything we tell her, and she communicates in her own ways.

[CloudBee]

Follow your gut, and contact early intervention or your pedi if you still have an uneasy feeling.

Many on here have been telling me that DS's word explosion was right around the corner. But we're still waiting.

We didn't even need a pedi referral for EI to come evaluate him. Even if your kiddo doesn't qualify, they have a wealth of resources.

It's difficult not to stress when you compare your child to others. And avoiding such is easier said than done. If we don't compare, then how do we know where our own child falls?

It sounds like you need professional reassurance, IMO.

[lilac05]

Feb 4, 2015 11:37:34 GMT -5 Mimi said:

Thanks everyone. I need to stop focusing on what the other kids can say.

Easier said than done, though. DS1 was a crazy early talker, and we had a friend over last night with a boy almost exactly DS2's age & he's a big talker.  He talks circles around DS2 (who has quite a few words, but doesn't use them very frequently).  I'm an SLP (currently SAH), so I *know* DS2 is developmentally on track, but I was still all worried about his language development last night.  There is a VERY wide range of skills that fall within normal limits at this age.  

I agree with osulori, as usual when it comes to speech stuff.  That said, it never hurts to bring it up with your pedi.