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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>OT - What Is "Normal" For A 21 Month Old's Speech Development?
Kabob 11:01 AM 10-03-2013
I thought I would ask you guys this question since so many of you have dealt with a wide variety of toddlers: what is the normal vocabulary for a 21 month old boy? My son hasn't been talking and it's starting to worry me. He babbles and uses inflection, tone, and gestures to get his point across but the only words he says is "no" and a garbled "done", "apple", and "again." He hasn't added anything new to his vocabulary since June and has actually quit saying many of the words he used to say...it's now all babble. I've tried teaching him some sign language but the only one that caught on was "milk". He uses that sign for anything he wants. I bring up my concern to his pediatrician at every visit (he has had a few extra lately since we just dealt with another rounf of ear infections) and she always just brushes it off as "typical boy behavior" or typical of a very active child or she keeps saying she will recheck him in a couple months and worry about it later. So now she says if he isn't adding to his vocabulary by December she'll possibly refer him to a specialist maybe check his hearing also. Maybe.
Is she right? Am I just worrying too much? All the other kids I've ever dealt with his age all were saying more words or at least a resemblance of a word for the correct item. Today 16 month old dcg said another new word here and it just reminded me of how different some kids seem to develop. I just might be taking his lack of speech too personally...I feel like a bad parent. I try so hard to do everything "right" to encourage thinking and development and all of my friends and daycare parents proudly talk about how great parents they are because their kids all are talking up a storm...while ds barely says more than "no" most days...
Is she right? Am I just worrying too much? All the other kids I've ever dealt with his age all were saying more words or at least a resemblance of a word for the correct item. Today 16 month old dcg said another new word here and it just reminded me of how different some kids seem to develop. I just might be taking his lack of speech too personally...I feel like a bad parent. I try so hard to do everything "right" to encourage thinking and development and all of my friends and daycare parents proudly talk about how great parents they are because their kids all are talking up a storm...while ds barely says more than "no" most days...
melilley 11:05 AM 10-03-2013
I have a 24 mo. dcb who does the same. He just now is saying ball and all his other words are babble. He says UHUHHHH or uhowwww a lot. I was concerned and told mom. When she took him to his 2 year check up, his doctor said it was normal, but if he isn't talking in 6 months, they are going to refer him to a speech therapist. I thought that they should know so many words by 24 months, but I guess I am wrong?.
It will be interesting seeing other responses to your post!
It will be interesting seeing other responses to your post!
spinnymarie 11:26 AM 10-03-2013
My ped has always said they should have five words by 18 months, including mom & dad, animal sounds, anything that is oral language representative of something.
At 21 months now, I'm assuming the Dec is the 2-yr check up, right? I would say only 5 words at that point would be concerning (as it seems your Dr said?) and so you all should check his hearing thoroughly and make early intervention appts for evaluations.
I would try not to worry about it until them - my son was very similar, just a few words at 18 months but by 2 yrs he was exploding with words. They all came all at once
At 21 months now, I'm assuming the Dec is the 2-yr check up, right? I would say only 5 words at that point would be concerning (as it seems your Dr said?) and so you all should check his hearing thoroughly and make early intervention appts for evaluations.
I would try not to worry about it until them - my son was very similar, just a few words at 18 months but by 2 yrs he was exploding with words. They all came all at once
sharlan 11:44 AM 10-03-2013
My 22 mo girl has a very limited vocabulary. She says momma, no, stop, bye, shoes, and grandpa. Single words only. (Mom says she will say a full sentence, but I've never heard it.)
She does understand when she's told to do something. I can tell her to go get me something, or come here, it's time for lunch and she will comply.
She will not attempt to repeat words when we read a book. For instance, say dog. She will point to the dog if I ask her where the dog is.
She sings Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and the ABC song, but doesn't use words. We can tell what she's singing by the melody.
Her ped said yesterday that she wants to have her evaluated.
She does understand when she's told to do something. I can tell her to go get me something, or come here, it's time for lunch and she will comply.
She will not attempt to repeat words when we read a book. For instance, say dog. She will point to the dog if I ask her where the dog is.
She sings Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and the ABC song, but doesn't use words. We can tell what she's singing by the melody.
Her ped said yesterday that she wants to have her evaluated.
nothingwithoutjoy 11:49 AM 10-03-2013
"Another ear infection" is the red flag for me, more so than the vocabulary (such a range!). I'd wonder if fluid in the ears is affecting hearing. I'd push for a hearing screening.
Angelsj 12:02 PM 10-03-2013
I would watch him for a little while yet. Some thoughts.
Sometimes children develop one thing at the detriment of another for a little while. Sometimes their little bodies are putting effort into one area and stop trying in another for a bit.
Secondly, boys will go slower than girls of the same age in many areas, cognitive in particular.
Third, it is not unheard of for a child with NO speech or garble speech to suddenly (in a two to four month period) develop hundreds of words, seemingly overnight.
Fourth, ear infections may very well have been getting in his way. If he is hearing through muddy ears, it will slow down his speech.
Sometimes children develop one thing at the detriment of another for a little while. Sometimes their little bodies are putting effort into one area and stop trying in another for a bit.
Secondly, boys will go slower than girls of the same age in many areas, cognitive in particular.
Third, it is not unheard of for a child with NO speech or garble speech to suddenly (in a two to four month period) develop hundreds of words, seemingly overnight.
Fourth, ear infections may very well have been getting in his way. If he is hearing through muddy ears, it will slow down his speech.