Toddlers Talking.

[andy-hughes]

At what age should a parent be concerning about a child not speaking?

A friend's little boy is just eighteen months old, and so far, has not said any words.

He is extremely well-developed in physical tasks, he walked at ten months, and his physical capabilities have all come in early.

He clearly understands things said to him, but so far, is not vocalising regularly, although he is beginning to vocalise some vowel sounds, and his concentration levels in play are increasing.

Should my friend be worried, or is his little one just a bit late in picking up speech?

[roopower]

As previous posters have said, don't worry about it for a while. Little girl I know didn't talk till she was over two, she didn't need to as she made her wants known by gestures and her parents second guessing what she needed. Also agree that her older brother is probably talking for her. Children do not read the manuals and I'm a firm believer in letting nature take it's course - they can't do everything well at once.

[ummmm]

Well put Roo/

[Peter Pedant]

well I am a little voice in opposition
but never mind - no one has yet distinguished language acquisition and speech acquisition
and I cant work out which for this child
Rooze - the child had clearly acquired language and was communicating but not by speech

so.....

if the mother is worried rather than you:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/helping-your-childs-speech/#think-your-child-may-have-a-speech-or-language-problem

she can refer herself no less to a speech therapist
or go thro the GP - and then onto a paed who specialised in child-development. There are CDCs all over the place now ( child development centres)

am I medicalising slowness to talk ? No I dont think I am
oh and your child isnt an Einstein,, so lets not take lessons from that example ....

[ToraToraTora]

Einstein didn't talk till he was four. There is even "Einstein syndrome" for bright people who are slow to speak.

[Peter Pedant]

er lets get off this child isnt speaking because he is so bright ....

John Stuart Mill didnt speak until ..... and his first words were
" what ails thee friend?" - later he banged his finger and got baby talk from an on looker ( o boo boo boo have you banged naughty fingy etc you know the stuff you get everyday on AB) - and replied
" Madam, the agony is quite abated"

the mum should get the child assessed if she is at all worried

[naomi24]

PP, oops a daisy! ;o)

//er lets get off this child isnt speaking because he is so bright .... //

No one said that.

[Peter Pedant]

amidst all the smart arriss answers and put downs
and other completely useless comments

If the child has acquired language but not speech
then get the hearing tested ( it would be embarrassing to worry about lack of speech when all that is at fault is the child can hear)

[naomi24]

//amidst all the smart arriss answers and put downs
and other completely useless comments //

Recognition! ;o)