Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

My DD is 22 months. She doesn't talk but does say words when we ask her to repeat them. She has really been doing this much more recenlty but doesn't do it unless prompted. She is very smart and her receptive language is very advanced in my opinion. She understands everything that is being said to her.

I have heard her repeat her name, tractor, bubbles, vacuum, bottle, mom, dad, dog, car, and a few others.

But, MIL and her father are concerned and want me to have her evaluated. Her pedi said to wait until she is 2 b/c the criteria is more and she probably wouldn't qualify under the 18 month old criteria.

I just feel that when we ask her to repeat words sometimes she gets shy and smiles and doesn't repeat them, especially when MIL is around so I think she gets embarrassed

Anyway, my question is, should I get her evaluated or just wait it out and tell MIL to mind her own business

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

My DD spoke very early so I can not compare but I would speak with the ped about it. It never hurts to have the evaultion if you are concerned and your ped feels it is the right thing to do. Some kids are just late talkers. My BIL didn't talk until he was three and he is now a very social, successful naval architect and professional engineer.

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

I was in the same boat as you, and had DS evaluated at 22 months and he was probably saying the same amount as your DD and he did not qualify either.

If I was you I would wait until she turned 2. In the last 2 months, DS has MULTIPLIED the amount of words he says and things he can recognize.

There is a huge change in the criteria between 18 months and 2 years, so I would just wait until she does turn 2. I'll bet by the time she does turn 2, you'll see a world of difference anyway. If you don't then at that time you can have her evaluated. The SLP had said to me months are like years now, w/ the amount of progress they make. Progress is the most important thing to look for. Do you find that she's adding more week after week?

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

I can only base my response on my own DD who is 20 months old. She talks constantly and has for months. And while she does still babble a lot because she doesn't know every word she does know A LOT of words (we've lost count) and she uses them properly in conversation. While she repeats almost everything we say she does actually talk when we're not asking her to repeat anything at all. She will be in her crib or the back of the car just spewing out words and short little phrases. She talks to the dog, her toys, her friends, etc. etc.

I guess the answer for you is to do what feels right to you. If you don't think there is a problem and your ped seems to agree right now then just wait. However, if you have any concerns it can't hurt to have your DC checked out. Every child is different when it comes to everything, including speech development, so I wouldn't make yourself sick with worry. I am sure everything will be fine but if it will put your mind at ease, have your DC tested.

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

I would give her another 2 months and see how she does. If she is not speaking at 24 months an evaluation will not hurt.

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

The big explosion happens around 2 years. For some, it is closer to 18 months for others it is 27 months or later.

I would wait a little longer and see what happens.

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

I would wait until she is 2. In the past month my sons vocabulary is exploding. I wouldn't worry to much about her getting shy if you keep prodding her to say words. Many kids won't perform for us :)

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

I have 3 kids. DS5 didn't really speak until after his 2nd birthday. He was alwasy ahead developmentally, but he just wasn't a talker. He was very animated and always got his point across though.

DD3, well, I don't remember her ever NOT speaking. She has been chatting it up since forever!

DD20 months-she is the same as DS, although she knows what she wants and gets it and makes sure that you know it, she isn't much of a talker.

I would wait until your next appt and bring it up to your doctor. ALL kids are different.

I remember that once my DS did start speaking, he just didn't shut up and still doesn't! lol

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

My DD was a very early talker, so I have no personal experience with this. But, I have a friend who's son has been in speech therapy since he was 19 months old. It has helped tremendously! And it was covered by insurance and the State. IMO, an evaluation can't hurt. If she doesn't qualify then you can put your fears to rest, if she does qualify you'll be so happy that you addressed the issue when you did.

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

If it's your MIL's concern - No, I wouldn't have my son evaluated based on family members' concerns -

However, if your DH is concerned as well, I'd do it - Even if I didn't really feel it was necessary yet, I'd go w/ it if DH felt strongly about it himself

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

I had DD evaluated at 21 months (she didn't qualify) and again at 24 mnths (she did qualify).

If YOU are concerned, you can get her evaluated now and then again at 2 years. She will already be "in the system" and they will get the evaluator to you quickly.

My DD ws at the same point as your DC at 22 months and at 24 months. There was a LOT of frustration going on becuase her receptive was incredibly high.

EI helped her enormously. She received ST for 6 months and now she is beyond her age for speech. I say it couldn't hurt, and it can only help, if YOU are concerned.

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

I would wait like your PED suggested.

My DS is 17 months and up until yesterday said two words "cat" and "bye" (he started saying them at 11 months) yesterday he added "hi" and "swing" still no "mama" or "dada". Our PED isn't concerned, like your DD his receptive language is fine, he communicates with gestures and sign language and cognitively he is ahead. We have him in speech only because he qualified for PT, and if they qualify for one they can get all services. He has had very little change in speech over the past 4 months, even though his major motor has increased by leaps and bounds, to me this just illustrates that he'll speak when he is ready.

I think since she repeats the words when she is comfortable it is a shyness or confidence thing and she probably just needs a little time to feel comfortable.

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

You're the mother, so you know, deep down, if there is cause for concern. Don't let others opinions make you worry if you otherwise wouldn't.

My DS didn't say much - maybe 20 words, once in a while two words linked together - until he was two. We brought him to his two year check up, and I mentioned it to the ped. He said he was on target and if I was still concerned 3-6 months later, then we could see what our options are. DS must have been listening to our conversation because - no lie - this kid started babbling in sentences non-stop as we were leaving the doctor's office. He is now probably the most well-spoken pre-schooler I know. He uses huge words (properly) and big, long sentences, and everyone can understand what he says. Obviously, I had no cause for concern and he just needed to come to that point in his own time. He must have just been soaking it all in until then.

Try not to worry and remember, you know what's best.

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

I would wait it out. Rylan didn't say his first word until about 22 months. We didn't have anything...not mama...dada...baba...nothing!! At 2 is when he really started with his words...now at 26 months he'll say everything and anything!!

Re: Speech and a 22 month old - family concerns...etc

what about animal sounds? each of those count as a word.


both of my kids were late talkers, now my oldest doesn't stop talking and my youngest is just about 3 and is pulling it all together.