When did your child begin talking?

Question

My best friend has a little boy who is 17 months old. Because we don't get to spend a lot of time together--and only talk on the phone for the most part--I didn't realize that her little boy still wasn't talking. He's never uttered a single word. Not "da-da", "momma", nothing but grunts, "ooh's" and "ughs". He doesn't respond to his name when you speak to him and doesn't follow direction well (which isn't too terribly unusual for a 17 month old. LOL) I advised her to contact our states early intervention office and he was determined to be eligible for speech therapy due to a signficant speech delay. It's going to be several weeks before he begins treatment though. I DO know both mom and dad were late talkers. She's worrying herself sick. Anyone have any experience with this? What was the outcome?

Update:

She actually brought it up to me that she was concerned he wasn't speaking. It has been confirmed he definetly has a speech delay, but not necessarily anything "wrong" other than he needs a little help. I'm looking for positive stories to share. :D

lady_bella · Accepted Answer

Not to worry. My oldest son was 2 1/2 years old before I called in the state for early intervention with speech therapy. I thought he had speech delay and sure enough he did. He qualified, and when he turned 3 years old, he qualified to go to Developmental Preschool and had a Speech Therapist work with him there. Within a couple of months of preschool he did TREMENDOUSLY well and improved so much! He had speech therapy until he got caught up and by the time he went to Kindergarten (which he's in now), he's doing exceptionally well acedemically. He's even writing small sentences. The speech therapy is going to help so much with that little one. :-) You all will be amazed.  And remind your best friend that they did nothing wrong and they did not cause their little boys speech delay. It just happens sometimes and he will get the help he needs and be on his way to chattering up a storm in no time.  :-)

sara · Answer

She needs to stop worrying 17 mo. is too early for that.  None of my kids went through the babbling stage.  First started talking at about 2 second not until 4 and third didn't babble but had a sever speech impediment was not understandable to most people until the second grade.  I think the best thing for her to do is always speak properly to her child and use some sign language, her son should pick up on it quickly.  Since he doesn't respond to his name she might want to get his hearing checked that can be a factor in late talking/babbling.

Anonymous · Answer

My kids both started real words at ten months.  I have a friend who's kid didn't speak well so the dr told her since all kids develop differently it isn't considered an issue until they are three or four but its good to let them know so they can have record of it.  Her son is now four and they have come to realize there is something wrong w his hearing.

Cheshire reloaded · Answer

Was she worrying herself sick before you mentioned it? I'm not saying it's not the correct thing to do but 17 months is still quite young. Hopefully he is fine, but he may not be and it will be a long road of worrying before she finds out.

My first was 2 for first words and 2 1/2 before speaking well. My second was 9 months for first words and speaking well by 15 months (but she's odd) and my third was 11 months for first word and still at 15 months has a handful of words.

My first born is 7 now and can talk your ear off if you let him.

momma dread · Answer

2 of my kids spoke clearly by 20 months

my 2nd child was perfect by the age of 2
my 3rd child wasn't understandable till nearly 4, he didnt speak at all till he was 3

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When did your child begin talking?

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