When should I worry? (speech)

[JulieBaby]

I know this is something I should be asking the ped. but he is a worthless piece of ****. My boys are constantly wheexing, have alligator skin and other dermatological problems and he brushes them off. But anyway:

Julian is 18 months and not yet talking. He says Mama and calls everyone that (me, fiance, grandma, granpa, aunt etc.) He will sometimes say NO, but thats it.

When should I start worrying about a developmental delay? Hes very smart and quickly figures things out, hes just not so good at language.

I know I shouldnt compare him to his brother, as all babies (even twins) are very different, but its hard to not worry when his brother has a vocab of about 20-25 words (including screaming MELANIE at the top of his lungs LOL).

BTW, the twins were born at 34 weeks 3 days with no major complications except they could not suck.

[HammBugga]

I wouldn't worry yet, but if YOU think there might be a problem you should discuss it with your ped.

[HammBugga]

http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/not_talk.html

[MrsKitty]

Uhhh...maybe its time for a new ped?

[ColleenF30]

My middle child now 2.5 just started really talking over the last month. She was only doing a few words until a month or so ago, and now she can say almost anything.

[JulieBaby]

Uhhh...maybe its time for a new ped?


Definately. But there is some crazy rule about making doctor changes only on the first of every month, so I will have to wait a bit.

[Peanut1207]

I have the same question too. But my LO is 14 months and was born 3 days late. I have a friend that is a speech therapist and another friend that is a developmental therapist. Both of them said not to worry at 14 months and especially for boys because they tend to devleop speech much later, but if you feel there's a delay you can always call Early Intervention and they'll do a screen (i'm not sure if EI is everywhere but usually there is some kind of 0-3 program that can assess needs in each state). In my personal opinion I think some kids are just slower at talking than other kids. Some are observers and watch everything so carefully but can't produce this early. As long as there is eye contact and expression of needs and wants (either by pointing, dragging stuff over, etc) then I'm not going to worry too much (of course I'll be worrying but thats just me). And your pedi sounds like CRAP!!!!!!! I don't love mine either but at least he listens!

[Tweet]

If it were me, I'd go ahead and get an eval from Early Intervention and bypass the ped..you can discuss it with a new one,anyway, if you're getting a new one. You don't need a doctor's referral or any referral for EI. It won't harm anything, and if nothing else, you will have peace of mind.

I always say that, but I am a big believer in following your instincts. I can't remember how many words they should have at that age now, but DS had 4 very unintellgible words at 19 months and I had him evaluated.

[blessedbythree]

My dd is 15 months old and has no words yet. The Ped want me to get her evaluated by Early Intervention as she says that dd should have at least one word. All other develop is on track so dh and I have decided to give it a couple more months to see how she does. If you are concerned I would have him evaluated but if you decide to wait a little longer to see how he does I don't think that would be horrible either.

[JulieBaby]

I think I will get him evaluated, just to be on the safe side, although there probably isnt anything to worry about.

When the boys were born the ped. was supposed to give me a referral for a Pediatric Center (specializing in development) but never did. As soon as I get the new ped I will take the paperwork to her so that she can give me the referral.

[Tweet]

Early Intervention is free, also if you didn't know already. It is a government program. They will usually come right to your house to evaluate in natural surroundings but sometimes they may be too busy or understaffed and need you to bring your child in for the eval.

[cc1003]

So for a fifteen month old, they would be expected to have how many words? Are these words supposed to be crystal clear or just an attempt?

[jaelwoman]

I can remember at my son's 18 month appointment I asked the ped how many words he should have because he had maybe 4. The ped said that it wasn't that unusual and to watch him. If he wasn't talking by his 2 year appointment we'd talk about it some more.

About a month later, he learned the word please. After that his vocabulary exploded. By the time he was 2 he had many, many words and spoke so clearly that strangers could undestand him on the phone! He's 13 now and I can't shut him up! LOL

I did have issues with speech and my other children that EI got involved in, but not for not talking at 18 months.

Keep an eye on it and go with your intuition. If you think you need an EI eval, then call them and get one. I didn't need a referral, but that was a long time ago.