No words at 18 months

[Anonymous]

DD has no real words at 18 months. Maybe there is an occasional “that” but really only “that”. She also barely babbles, but does point to what she wants but is also getting very frustrated these days because she can’t communicate with words. Otherwise she is social, smiley, climbing all over the place etc. I have an appt for a speech evaluation but I’m feeling anxious about yet future. Any others whose kids were slow to talk but they eventually got it? Obviously I’m aware this is a read flag for ASD, apraxia etc.

[Anonymous]

Have you banged a pot next to her head?

[Anonymous]

One of my kids was placed in early intervention for this issue. She made eye contact and smiled but had no words. At 18 months I believe her speech was at a 5 month level.

By the time she was 3 years she had graduated from early intervention. She still needed speech therapy for a while and had a weak jaw. She’s also just fairly quiet. She’s now in 4th grade and super bright, neurotypical, etc.

Good to get evaluated and speech services are super important but it truly does not mean autism at this stage.

[Anonymous]

My kid was an early talker and had an extremely advanced vocabulary. She was social with us and smiled…and was diagnosed with ASD as a teen.

All of this is to say, that you just never know about stuff like this. Don’t jump to conclusions and start worrying. Besides the no talking, she’s seems to be doing great. I think at this age they are only expected to say a few words. Aren’t you due for an 18 mo. Check up?

[Anonymous]

While you wait for the speech therapy consult, I'd start using Sign Language with her - she'll pick it up quickly so at least she can say important words. YOU CAN learn these signs - they aren't hard, and if you use them as you voice, she will notice and use them back.

Here is one video of ASL signs for babies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjYbopUNQEw



milk - juice - water (3 different signs)
eat
hungry
thirsty
more
all done
please
thank you
ball - and some of her other favorite toys she asks for
go outside
take a walk (outside) vs play in backyard
play
your turn
Mom
Dad
cat
dog
happy
sad
angry/mad
need help
stop

[Anonymous]

The bang pot question was real. Are you sure she hears well? When she isn't looking at you? If you make a clicker or crumpled paper sound behind her,does she turn to look? Startle at a loud noise?

[Anonymous]

It’s common for speech to be the only issue. Don’t assume lifelong issues at this point.

[Anonymous]

Do NOT bang a pot in your child's ears. That means nothing. Take her for a hearing exam and speech evaluation and work with her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While you wait for the speech therapy consult, I'd start using Sign Language with her - she'll pick it up quickly so at least she can say important words. YOU CAN learn these signs - they aren't hard, and if you use them as you voice, she will notice and use them back.

Here is one video of ASL signs for babies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjYbopUNQEw



milk - juice - water (3 different signs)
eat
hungry
thirsty
more
all done
please
thank you
ball - and some of her other favorite toys she asks for
go outside
take a walk (outside) vs play in backyard
play
your turn
Mom
Dad
cat
dog
happy
sad
angry/mad
need help
stop

+1 We have done ASL with both kids. It’s been essential for our child with Down syndrome, who is nonverbal, but still very helpful with our typical child. Even though our typical child is learning to speak on the expected timeline, sign language has been great for clarifying his needs when we can’t quite understand him. We started out with just three signs: “eat,” “all done,” and “more.” Then we branched out to others once they had mastered those. We used the Signing Time video series. Now both kids know dozens signs.

[Anonymous]

My eldest didn’t say his first word until 19 months. We were referred to early intervention at his 15 month appointment and started speech therapy at about 18 months.

By 24 months, he was completely caught up and talking in full and complex sentences. We placed out of early intervention after six months (basically, that’s as fast as possible as they only test every six months).

He’s now a smart, vivacious, neurotypical five year old thriving in kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you banged a pot next to her head?

WTF

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD has no real words at 18 months. Maybe there is an occasional “that” but really only “that”. She also barely babbles, but does point to what she wants but is also getting very frustrated these days because she can’t communicate with words. Otherwise she is social, smiley, climbing all over the place etc. I have an appt for a speech evaluation but I’m feeling anxious about yet future. Any others whose kids were slow to talk but they eventually got it? Obviously I’m aware this is a read flag for ASD, apraxia etc.

Does she point and make eye contact? You should also get a hearing evaluation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My eldest didn’t say his first word until 19 months. We were referred to early intervention at his 15 month appointment and started speech therapy at about 18 months.

By 24 months, he was completely caught up and talking in full and complex sentences. We placed out of early intervention after six months (basically, that’s as fast as possible as they only test every six months).

He’s now a smart, vivacious, neurotypical five year old thriving in kindergarten.

+1 Very similar experience. Did early intervention and DD caught up quickly.

Our DD actually was diagnosed with ASD later on, but this was not remotely the biggest sign. Looking back the big signs at that age were that she didn't point, played repetitively with a focus on setting toys up, stimmed and could have longer than typical meltdowns (30+ minute).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD has no real words at 18 months. Maybe there is an occasional “that” but really only “that”. She also barely babbles, but does point to what she wants but is also getting very frustrated these days because she can’t communicate with words. Otherwise she is social, smiley, climbing all over the place etc. I have an appt for a speech evaluation but I’m feeling anxious about yet future. Any others whose kids were slow to talk but they eventually got it? Obviously I’m aware this is a read flag for ASD, apraxia etc. [/quote

My dd didn't start talking until after age 3. She graduated from speech therapy at age 5, fully verbal. We had been in early intervention since 12 months, when the ped referred us because she wasn't babbling (in dd's case, she was dx with asd at age 4.5, but like I said she is fully verbal now-I am NOT saying your dc has asd, most kids with language delays do NOT).

It's good that you are getting the evaluation. It's good too if they check her hearing (professionally, not banging a pot wtf). Early intervention can do so much! You are doing the right thing.

[Anonymous]

Get an appt. for your local Early Intervention Infant and Toddlers Program. Also an audiologist to rule out actual hearing problems. (long ago we had a good experience with the Georgetown Hospital audiology lab). Good luck.