Your 15 month old doesn't talk???

My mom and my son  - My son and my mom "talking" away...
@shannon76 (1232)
United States
June 20, 2007 4:20pm CST
I had someone tell me that today...... I was shocked because they were so shocked. Like my child is a freak or something. Then of course, it got me all worried and thinking my child is delayed... But then I was reading that it is okay... So when did your child(ren) start talking? And when should someone start worrying??
10 people like this
23 responses
@liyan97 (2127)
• Northern Mariana Islands
20 Jun 07
My spoke only three words until the age two. I even went as far as getting him checked for a hearing problem. Fortunately, he was fine, the problem was he was an only child at the time and I basically kept him by my side most of the time. He wouldn't play with other children and his want to express himself wasn't there. He would speak to my with only three words "I want that"....lol..Like you I had my doubts and my worries but after enrolling him into a daycare, and him being around other kids I couldn't get him to stop talking...lol..It is natural for you to worry! In fact, I would get your son checked just to be sure. All kids are different, all I can do is share my experience with you, but I do feel the best thing for you to do is get your son tested. Atleast for your peace of mind. Good Luck:)
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
20 Jun 07
That is what I was kind of worried about since I am a stay at home mom and I was worried that because he isn't around alot of other kids he wouldn't pick up on some stuff early enough because of that. He has a check up on friday and I think I'll talk to his doc about it.
1 person likes this
@Mikki2 (179)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Every child is different. I had to get on to my daughter, every time her son wanted something all he had to do was grunt and point and she would hand him what he wanted. I told her if she didn't stop he would never learn to talk. He started talking (Mama, Daddy) at about 7 months. My daughter started talking at 2 months. Her first words were "Hi there". "Santa Claus" came up to see her and she looked at him and said "hi there". We both just about fell out. If he hadn't heard her I wouldn't have believed it.
2 people like this
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Wow! That is VERY early!! How funny though! To hear a 2 month old say hi there! lol
@Tanya8 (1733)
• Canada
21 Jun 07
I'm another parent of a boy who didn't start talking till age 2. He went from being able to saying two words to speaking in sentences a week after his second birthday. Although we were close to the point of getting him tested, there wound up being no need. I wish I hadn't wasted any time worrying about it in retrospect.
2 people like this
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
21 Jun 07
I am sure it wasn't wasted =) You wouldn't be a good mother if you didn't worry about things with your child.
@compumom (738)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Don't worry. My son was a late bloomer. The joke around our house is that we really didn't start to understand what the heck he was saying until he was about 5 years old. His younger sister spoke better than he did. Now he's 16 and he won't stop talking. Enjoy their silence now. When they start talking, they don't stop!
2 people like this
• Canada
21 Jun 07
I am not sure but am staring to worry about my daughter who just turned two the end of last month . She is only starting to talk now and even at that only says a few words . Mommy , Daddy , Skylar , Nennie , bye , hi , move and more . That would be about the extent to her vocabulary for her age . I did speak to a speach pathologists about this and she said there were two main areas of speech . The first being that they could hear and understand you and the second being that they could actually talk . She did say the fact that my little one was not talking was a sign that something was wrong but the fact that she can say whole words like Mommy and Daddy instead of mama and dada the way most children talk is different from most children who have a problem so I am not sure what to do . The fact that your child is only fifteen months and is not talking though , doesn't sound like a reason for alarm to me . I can't remember how old my other children were when they started to talk but I have it wrote down somewhere and don't believe they were saying much at that age other then little words . I was told not to worry too much as children will learn to do things when they are ready and unless the child gives you any other indications that something else is wrong then it generally isn't a reason for concern . In our case with our daughter , we have had many tell us that the fact that she says so little could very well be because she has a sister who is twenty two months older then her and does all her talking for her and she has two much older sisters as one is seventeen and the other is fifteen and then an older brother who is twelve so she is used to everyone doing everything for her and she doesn't have to ask but cry or point . I wouldn't worry about your child just yet but just keep watching your child to make sure that there is nothing wrong with his/her hearing and that they are developing normally in all other areas . Best of luck and take care !!
2 people like this
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
21 Jun 07
I have heard the same thing about younger children and then really not talking because of everyone else doing it for them! Has your child been tested for hearing and all that?
• United States
20 Jun 07
I have 5kids they all started to talk at differnt ages starting from really young to older. You worry when your child is trying to talk and gets frustrated when people cann't understand him. That's what happend with my second eldest and he ended up needing speach therapy.
2 people like this
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Mine does get frustrated right now. We are teaching him sign language as well and even with the few words he knows how to sign, he gets frustrated. He wants to communicate badly.
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Kids develop in all different ways. I wouldn't worry to much about it. Maybe your baby just doesn't want to talk yet. I know my daughter was a early talker, but my son isn't. My son is 17 months old and he says some words, but he doesn't really choose to say them much. I was also worried. But the doctors said it was normal and that they all develop differently.
1 person likes this
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Thanks for the soothing words! Puts me at ease!! =)
@Debs_place (10523)
• United States
20 Jun 07
My son started at 7 months old, and by one year full sentences. A neighbor or mine got real upset, her 2 year old did not talk. Her pediatrician said he was normal and was just a quiet type of kid, he still does not talk much. All kids are different and he may not talk but if he responds and makes babbling sounds he will start soon enough.
1 person likes this
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Wow, your little boy just couldn't wait to talk huh! hehe how cute!
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
21 Jun 07
ROFL That is hilarous! But doesn't that always happen though? I mean they are a baby, we can't wait for them to get bigger. Then they get bigger, and we want them small again. Then we want them to crawl and then walk and then they are ALL over the darn place and we can't keep tabs on them!! And I am sure talking will be the same way. I am sure once he starts, I will have wished that I didn't wish that!! lol
@Debs_place (10523)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Are you serious, I would pay him to be quiet. And he is a smooth talker today..he could sell sand to an arab and ice to an eskimo. I still have fears he will become a politician.
1 person likes this
@Michele21 (3093)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Don't worry!! All kids are different, I know lots of people say that but it is really true!! My daughter seemed to do things early but my little boy is really slow with stuff, it isl ike he isn't in a hurry to learn or anything! It drives me crazy sometimes, but I know he will catch on soon enough. He is 2 and has just started saying like three words at a time.
1 person likes this
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Yeah I guess boys just take their sweet time huh!! lol Figures, women are always in a hurry and men are always late..... Doesn't even change when we get older!
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@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Amen! That is my BIGGEST pet peeve. I absolutly HATE being late and it even gives me a HUGE stomach ache when we are late! I am the type of person that has to be at least 10 mins early to be okay! Hubby is ALWAYS late and he always makes me late!
1 person likes this
@Michele21 (3093)
• United States
20 Jun 07
That is so true!! My husband is never on time, unless I am going somewhere with him. I can't stand being late..I always have to be early!!
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Let me make you feel better about this....I babysit a 3 yr old who doesn't talk. This is when I would start being worried. Your child is still little. These people don't know what they are talking about.
1 person likes this
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
20 Jun 07
wow a 3 year old? that is a bit old to be not talking. Thanks for comparison though.
@dramaqn (1990)
• United States
15 Dec 07
Is this your first and only child? Each child is different. But also, sometimes when a child begins to talk has a lot to do with the surroundings the child is in. How adults speak to the child. Are you speaking to him like he's a person, or are you speaking that crappy baby talk? Does he have a pacifier still? These are all crucial things to consider. Usually the first child tends to do things early, but only if you treat them as an intelligent person. The first child usually tends to do things early, because you have more time and focus to put into the childs learning. I'm a single mother of 6, 5 girls and 1 boy. My 15 year old began talking when she was around 8-9 months and walked on her own one wk before her first birthday. Her first full sentence (I don't like it) was when she was 16 months. My 2nd daughter was around 10 months when she began talking and about 18 months with her first full sentence (ma, I like u hair). My 3rd daughter was around the same time the first child. However, the 4th daughter, well she was different. She didn't start talking until she was like 13 months and full sentences by 20 months. I started to think she didn't like her name, she wouldn't even say her name until she was like 3. Turns out though, the doctor told me, she wasn't talking because she didn't have a reason to. She had 3 older sisters who talked for her. I observed this for a week, and sure enough it was true. They did everything for her, so why would she put forth the effort? My son (he's child 5) did things very sporatically. So sporatic, that I can't give time frames. He's still stubborn like that to this day. I'd love to be able to give you some poignant advice, but in order to do so, I need a little bit more information.
1 person likes this
@sharon_ (1169)
• United States
21 Jun 07
I have a son that didn't start talking in sentences until he was three and a half and when he did it was hard to understand him. Off to early childhood education and speech therapy !! He is fine now. I wouldn't worry about your son "not talking" right now. Make sure he doesn't have a hearing problem though and that he gets lots of stimulation. When he is ready to talk more, he will.
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Thanks for the advice. How old is your son now and is he up to speed now?
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
22 Jun 07
Wow, 24 huh? Mine isn't even two I couldn't imagine a 24 year old!! lol
@sharon_ (1169)
• United States
21 Jun 07
He is 24 yrs. old now. He is doing very well. Sometimes I have to ask him not to talk "so fast". Recognizing that there is a problem is very inportant.I'm quite sure that you and your husband know whenever something doesn't seem "quiet right" or if it's just something that is "normal", but non the less, the earlier you get a handle on (any situation) the better off you are.Good luck to you and your family.
@bambi_doe (566)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Give it time as I recall my duaghter stated talking at age 20 monthes. She started with mom and dad. At age 2 she would not stop talking. But if at around 2 and not at least saying some word tatke the child to the ear doctor. They may have a hearing problem. But at 15 months old you may or may not have a talker. Hugs
2 people like this
21 Jun 07
You may want to refer your child to a speech therapist for a speech and language assessment if not talking by 2. It is better to treat a speech impediment early. By now your little one should be saying between four to seven words. By two he should have a vocabulary of 400 words.
1 person likes this
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Don't tell her that her child SHOULD be saying between four to seven words. You are not at all helping her feel any better. What you are doing is giving false statements. Every child learns at a different pace. If I were you, I would be a little more careful on the words you choose.
1 person likes this
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
21 Jun 07
And how do you know all this Janesoplain? I mean from all the research and talking to other moms lately, most everything I read all points me to believe that at this age, it is perfectly okay for my child to not be talking yet. I am just curious where you get your data from?
22 Jun 07
Because my child had a speech disorder and received speech therapy when they were young. I took courses on speech development. Again why are you attacking me? You asked a question and I answered it.
1 person likes this
@leilani47 (780)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Hi! I personally don't think that you have anything to worry about. My son is 18 months old. He can't really say words in sentences, but says simple words like "mama", "dada" "yes", "no", "thank you" .... I also have a 4 year old, he started speaking really early. Before he turned 2 he could do flashcards. Every child is different.
• Philippines
28 Jun 07
as far as i know children are different,in so many ways.like in learning and development. do not think of your child is a freak or something, maybe he had a delay in development, like in talking or whatever. just continue monitoring and encourage him.her to talk and do something good. relax. well so far i have no problem with my nine month old son, he is so talkative, he alwasy say tatatatata,dadadada,broommm brooomm,hahahha! if feels so good to hear him talking things like that!
@royal52gens (5488)
• United States
21 Jun 07
If your child is the youngest, this might not be unusual as the older children tend to talk for the younger one. If this is your first child and there are no other children involved, there are some things you can try or do. Don't talk for the child. Encourage the child to speak for her/himself. Try to spend a little time each day talking directly to your child even if it is only the list of groceries. When reading a book, look at your child so they can see how your lips are forming the words. Speak slowly and clearly. Encourage the child to repeat the words. Watch your child's face for reactions such as happiness or confusion. Next, ask your pediatrician to check the child's hearing. You can also do this a little at home by clapping loudly or ringing a bell when standing behind your child. You are looking for a reaction, or for the child to look around to locate the source of the noise. If there is a problem with hearing, you want to know about it as early as possible. If your child is babbling, encourage the babbling to increase and eventually become words. Waa Waa becomes Water. Baa Baa becomes Bottle. Babbling is good. Teaching language skills is hard work. It takes a lot of time. Be patient. But it is very important to teach language skills during the first two to three years of life. You are making neural connections in the brain and the more connections you make during this time the better for your child later in life. If a hearing problem is detected, teaching sign language is just as important as oral language. Children need to communicate with you. How do I know all this stuff? You guessed it. There is deafness in my family. My niece's profound deafness was not detected early and our family lost a year's worth of teaching time. Many members of the family quickly learned sign language and helped to teach my niece. She has been surrounded by people at church, school and in the community to help her. My brother is a priest and he says Mass in English, Latin and Sign as there is a large deaf community that attend his services. Even her Girl Scout Leader knew sign language, so my niece got to be a girl scout for many years. She has a very good job at Target. Many of her fellow employees have learned sign so they can communicate with their deaf customers. I am happy to report she just graduated from high school this past May. She is now looking forward to attending college. Hopefully, deafness is NOT an issue for your child. But deafness is also not devastating to a child's ability to communicate.
1 person likes this
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Don't worry at 15 months old most children don't talk. They might babble. I don't think mine really started saying words except for momma and dadda till they were 18 month old. Then only I could understand them. Like they might say " doggie (goggie in baby talk) or kitty kitty. you know something like that. I think around two is when their vocabulary takes off. So don't worry. Your child will talk when they are ready to talk.
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
20 Jun 07
When will people ever learn? I hope that makes you more sensitive to the next first-time-mom you come across. I would be annoyed at that person who said that to you. First of all, it is common for boys to lag behind girls in language acquisition. My son did not really talk until around 18 months and it was MaMa, Dada, utoh and things like that. Does your son babble, giggle and try to copy sounds he hears? Children do things in their own time and as long as you have no reason to believe he is not hearing well then just ignore that other insensitive person. One symptom that he is not hearing well is if he still has a lot of struggles with balance. Don't start worrying yet.
@shannon76 (1232)
• United States
20 Jun 07
Oh yeah! I NEVER offer any advice to new mothers now. I won't even tell them stories about my experience because of all the stuff I had to endure when I was pregnant/new mom. He does babble, giggle, laugh and he does copy some sounds. He meows at the kitty and kind of barks at the dog (even though he mostly sounds like a meow lol) and he has just started to moo like a cow.
@jencie (13)
• United States
28 Jun 07
You really don't need to worry. He's only 15 months old and every child is different. And yes, boys are lazy, so he may talk a little later. Here's something you can try. If he's pointing to something that he wants, say the word of the item, repeating it 3 times. Eventually, he will start to repeat what you are saying.
1 person likes this