Speech Development- 18 month old daughter is behind. Any advice? Personal experiences?

My daughter, who is very bright in all other aspects, is behind in her speech development. I read that at this age that she should be saying 6-10 words, but the only ';word'; she really says is ';bye-bye';. She communicates with gestures mostly, like using the gesture I always did when I would ask her ';all done?';. Instead of saying dog, she pants like our dogs do. She ';talks'; all the time, and her inflection is right on, as if she was talking, but in a language I just don't understand. If she's angry, sad, happy, etc., her inflections and pitch are right. We're 99.9% sure it is not a hearing problem.





One theory is that she regressed when my son was born. They are a year apart. Anyone with kiddos this close together, please let me know your experience. She is an excellent problem-solver and very smart in every other aspect, but she babbles like a baby, and it is very frustrating. Would playing with other kids her age or slightly older help motivate her to talk? Ideas, advice???Speech Development- 18 month old daughter is behind. Any advice? Personal experiences?
I had, and still have because it is a work in progress, the exact same problem. I would describe our daughter almost exactly as you did. Clearly smart and almost considered advanced in other areas, but speech.


I ended up taking her to a program we have here called ';Help Me Grow.'; It's actually through the Health Dept and they do not charge you anything until they are 3. I found out about a similar program through my cousin in TN, while I am in OH, so that tells you that you probably have something within your area. Try the HD first, then maybe if you have something like Job and Family Services.? Work with her everyday as well. Read lots of books and play educational games with her on the computer...my daughter loves those. And kids, playing with other children is definitely key.


Don't get too upset just yet...she'll get there in her own time. Everyone did in fact tell me this, but it's hard to believe when you don't see any progress.Speech Development- 18 month old daughter is behind. Any advice? Personal experiences?
You need to have her evaluated by a speech therapist. Most states have agencies (child development) to provide free screenings and therapy if needed until the child is of school age and the school system takes over from there. When my oldest son was little, even though my pediatricain said all was fine, I was concerned with his speech delays, and had him evaluated. Found that he indeed needed therapy and started treatment within a couple of months. He recieved speech classes through the end of third grade and now you would never know he had a problem. The earlier treatment is started the better. Good Luck.
yes I think that playing with other children would help immensely but the thing that would help the most is talking to her allot and get her to talk as well even if it is not sensible correct her and then move on. The more you engage her to speak and really talk to her the better she will get, it is that simple. Talking is a motor skill and it needs to be practiced to improve. The other thing that many parents overlook is that there is a definite mind body connection to learning kids who are delayed in their motor skills (walking running jumping climbing etc..)Will have delays cognitively as well; so take your child to the park play with them often and get them moving this helps the brain with problem solving and will help your child learn. Reading is very important as well read to your child use flash cards identify everything, they are little sponges and they will surprise you and say something days or weeks later that they only heard once. Good luck.
My doctor has told me that they don't test kids for speech delays until two. I guess that kids really vary a lot between 1-2 with their language development and until 2 it is totally normal for them not to speak at all. It sounds like she hears you and can make sounds, which indicates she is physically fine. It also sounds like she understands you and what is going on, which shows she is cognitively okay as well. My guess would be that she is still just working out the fine art of speaking. Some day you will likely wish she would just shut up! But seriously, if she is still not using words by her second birthday, ask her doctor to refer you for a screening and early intervention. But in all likelihood, one of these days she will have a ';language explosion'; and begin saying lots of words.
One of my nephews was the same way (except for panting like a dog) until well over 2 years old. He was such an expert at ';echocentric babbling'; you got the feeling that whatever he was saying, it must have been very intelligent, if only we knew his language. He would have all the mannerisms of a scholar debating great subjects. But he would hardly ever use real words. (He also had a little sister born when he was about 18 months.)





He grew out of it before the age of 3 years. Now he is in college. My suspicion is there is nothing for you to worry about. Give her time. Try not giving her what he wants unless he tries to say the word for it. (Why talk if you can get everything you want without talking.) Be patient %26amp; do not worry.
My son had the same problem. Everyone kept reassuring me that he was fine but I had that mother's instinct something was wrong at 18mths they introduced us to birth to three. They brought in specialists and therapists. At 2 1/2 they diagnosed him autistic. There are reasons for concern. Best advice talk to a qualified pediatrician and good luck.
It may interest you to know that my brother had EXACTLY the same symptoms... very bright, active, smart... he just didn't talk. One day, when he was three or four, he suddenly just started talking in complete sentences, like a little adult. He is now 19 years old and extremely intelligent and talented.. he's a freshman in college.





I wouldn't worry too much about it... every child figures out language their own way.
As a parent, and as a special educator, please get that child tested. It sounds to me like he or she needs and evaluation for speech. Better to get this done while they are young before it gets worse. Believe me, my daughter did the same but, we had her evaluated at 2 1/2 and she got speech. She now speaks beautifully. I would also get his or her hearing checked out. My child also got tubes at 2 1/2 with the speech and what a difference. The procedure is only 10 minutes and the child doesn't feel a thing before or after. Good luck
My son was almost 3 years old when he started to talk more.. At a young age, he didnt talk, but mama.. and little little words. My mother and I started to teach him sign lang. for things like, drink, yummy, ect.. things that he wanted and needed and couldnt say... This worked greatly and today he still knows them.. And he started to talk shortly after learning the sign for them...
I have been a mom for nearly 27 years plus I have operated a home day-care for over 19 years. In addition, I have a teaching degree. The guidelines you read about are just that, guidelines - some kids are far ahead and some are way behind. At 18 months, your daughter is learning so much every day. If she is functioning in every other area at or above average, than the language issue will resolve itself over time. My first bit of advice is not to fret over it. After that, spend plenty of time reading to her and talking with her. I have one daycare child who did not say any words until she was 2 years, 2 months old. She is now 4 1/2 and talks ALL the time. She will be going to kindergarten in the fall with absoloutely no delay in language whatsoever. I also have a nephew who had about 5 understandable words in his vocabulary when he was 3, but understood everything you said to him. He is now 7 and has been having speech therapy for 3 years and is also doing remarkably well. Enjoy your children and their unique talents and gifts. If your daughter turns 2 and has not aquired any new words, than I would make an appointment with her pediatrician for an evaluation. Give your children many hugs and kisses and say ';I love you'; every day. A day will come when those precious babies have moved on with their lives and you will cherish those memories.
Being the parent of 5, three of which are 16,15,13 now, never let people speak ';baby talk'; to them. I found this very important because since there were 3 of them, they talked enough in there laungage. Childern mimic all most everything, so the more adult speach(of the right kind) they hear, the better they will learn. I would'nt worry she'll just start in her own time.