20 months not talking. Post Reply

[pigeonairre]

My daughter is 20 months and only says mummy and daddy. She defo does not have a hearing issue as she's been tested. Her comprehension of instructions is very good- she can follow quite complex instructions and is very responsive when out and about (eg, will always come and hold my hand to cross the road, will stop jumping in a puddle if i say, we'll go and gt your wellies and do that later etc) this does not work for, " please don't draw on your clothes with the felt tips!" lol.

Am loathe to go to our health visitor until i think it's vital, as they are really rubbish, and love to scare monger! My daughter had colic, was breastfed, -they tried to force me to bottle feed her formula, wrongly told me that she had reflux, and also mixed up my notes with someone who's child was on the at risk register, and called me to arrange the social worker visit! Have no faith in their judgement.


She is defo not autistic, as my mum is an autism therapist and she's 100 per cent that this is not an issue( literally the only thing she ever talks about is autism- the result of 35 years of obsessive research!) My mum thinks she is fine and just doesn't want to talk yet. She is very strong willed, plucky and not in the least shy. Mixes well with other children, but never attempts to talk. She dOesn't seem to get left out though. I do get a bit paranoid though when my friend's baby literally does not stop talking!

She doesn't go to nursery yet and is with me nearly all of the time...am thinking this could be the prob. We don't have family locally, so it's fairly condensed time with my husband and i. We talk to her a ll of thetime, are very verbal with her.

Has anyone else experienced similar with not talking at this stage?


Thank you!

[coolmum]

At 20 months I really wouldn't worry too much about talking. I think if they are understanding you then that is the main thing.

I bought some flashcards from GLTC and there brilliant, really helped for mine to come out of themselves and talk more.

[Macboo]

I have been here with my now 3.5 year old, who didn't call me mummy until he was at least 2 so you are ahead of my son when he was 20 months. He now never stops talking! I arranged a 2 year check with the HV at Stormont Rd who thought he needed some speech therapy which we did for a few months but it really was a waste of time at that age. Just keep doing what you're doing and she will start talking when she's ready. Hard I know but patience is all that is required.

[Macboo]

Forgot to say I also have no family near by and he was with me all the time and when he started nursery at 2.5, it made a huge difference with his language. I also have noticed that when I returned from family holidays etc, his vocabulary increases!

[pigeonairre]

Thank you, macboo, that's really helpful and encouraging.

There seems to be a lot on the baby websites about speech therapy if they are not talking at 20 months. It's great to know your on is chatting away now.

Maybe the family thing/ nursery thing is something of a factor. Obviously they are all different, but there mut be a few patterns out there, in terms of development.

Thank you xx

[Macboo]

You're welcome. I think I still have handouts from the speech therapist if you want them?

[pigeonairre]

Thank you macboo, that's v kind of you! Think will wait with baited breath a little longer though. Think i'm with you on the therapy front, and believe that she ill talk in her own time. Your info re your son has been a real help.

Thanks so much xx

[pigeonairre]

Thank you petal,that is v helpful.

Lol re the witches! Ours come across as quite stupid and very uncaring. I haven't been since my daughter was 5 months. They always offended me! They don't seem to understand the concept of empowering people with confidence in themselves.

It's good to know other peope have had similar experience re speech, but with no indication of issues or problems.

We are both native tongue english speakers, so it's def not that with my little one. Mi hav heard too, that bi lingual children speak later. Maybe i will pretend that my husband is french

Thanks again xx

[AbbevilleMummy]

Does she sing at all?

It's only a thought, but my daughter is such a little chatterbox, literally never shuts up, if she's not babbling away, she's singing.

This could be just her nature, but I have suspected that its been partly due to me taking her to Tin Pan Annie twice a week since she was 4 months old and her daddy has subjected her to his CD collection and sung to her since she was born (she's now obsessed with Bob Dylan and The Beetles!).

It might not be any help at all, just thought going to something like Tin Pan Annie or Monkey Music may be a more fun way (and cheaper way!) of bringing her voice out .

[Mumptious]

My DD was totally silent until she was 2.5yrs - mean totally... no mummy, daddy and thing. I was totally paranoid about it and at just under two took her to the GP and was referred to a speech therapy team in Roehampton. They were amazing and we started on a course called 'speak & play'. it wasn't rocket science and as an engaged, caring mother you will find that it uses lots of techniques that you already use on a daily basis, but most of all it gives you confidence to know that you are helping your child as much as you can.

The speech therapists all said to me that the earlier you start to help your child the better. They wish that more parents cared enough to flag their concerns as even the most simple techniques can have a huge impact on a small child. The biggest thing that I learnt about my DD is that it is ok to be silent and that I didn't need to talk at and for her all the time. If I just 'shut up' for a minute she would find her voice! And of course she did!

My DD is now nearly four and talks constantly and better than most children her age. When she did eventually speak she developed a stammer (like her father!) and we have spent the last year successfully over coming that too. Be brave and remember that you are her mother and you know her better than anyone. The help is there so please ask for it.

If you need anything else then please just ask.
Mumptious