18 Month Old Only Says 1 or 2 Words

Children who are from bilingual homes tend to speak later. They are learning and processing two different languages at the same time. They are also looking for the connection between their two different languages, this can take longer. My kids both spoke very early, but they were only speaking english. Believe it or not once he starts speaking you won't be able to get him to stop. And his vocabulary will grow by leaps and bounds every day.

Kids vary a lot. My son was the same way--only a few words at 18 months and then his speech took off at about 21 months and at 24 he was talking a lot. He is 3 now and seems like he hasn't been quiet in over a year! When my son was 18 months I decided not to worry for another 3-6 months and it sorted itslef out. One little boy I know is talking a lot at 18 months (they did baby sign and mom is a writer). Another was not talking at all at 2 and got 6 months of speech therapy and is doing fine (3.5 and caught up to peers).

C.,
I agree with the comments discussing bilingual homes. My brother was easily 2 years old before he said a word, would grunt and point if he wanted something, but could understand both English and Spanish commands.
My family was English speaking while living in Puerto Rico. When he did start talking, it was English with a Spanish accent. He always had plenty of friends.
And now we can't get him to shut up! (ha)

Hi C.,

I have 4 children. My oldest girl started talking at about 12-15 months. My oldest son said his first word "dada" at age 2. He is perfectly normal and functional (14-y-o) :-). My youngest daughter started talking at 8 months (I kid you not). It was very bazzar :-). My youngest son is 4 1/2 and just started talking.

So there you have it. There is no set time for a child to talk. If you are concerned I would check out Dr. James MacDonald's site for late talkers. His methods are wonderful and you can do them at home. You will have lots of fun with it and your son will LOVE it. www.jamesdmacdonald.org

My son who just started talking did so when we started him on the GAPS diet, so diet is very important.

I'm sure he'll be fine :-)

Blessings,
T.

Hi C.,

I am a speech language pathologist and think it is great that you are raising your little boy to be bilingual. That is a gift you are giving him!
I have read the responses and would agree that there is a large range of normal for this age, however, most children experience a surge in vocabulary between 1 1/2 and 2 years of age until they have over 50 words by 2 and are putting 2 or 3 words together.
If your son is not using several new words in the next few months, I would suggest that you have him evaluated by an early intervention team.
In the meantime, name everything for him as you are going through your day. On my website http://www.playonwords.com I give many suggestions for encouraging language development as well as an article on tips to get your toddler talking: http://playonwords.com/articles/2009/03/18/tips-to-get-yo...
Good luck!
S. Artemenko

Many times, when a child is bilingual, they take a little bit longer to speak eventhough they already understand. My nephew was like that and he is 22 months. Last week he just started talking quite a bit. they were surprised and happy. If you really feel concerned, talk with your pediatrician about it. In my opinion, this is common for bilingual homes. Good luck!

MOST bilingual children speak later than a child who only has one language to process...the most important part at this stage is understanding...the rest will come!!!

C.,
Some kids do take longer to get words out. My neice didn't start talking until almost 3. She will need speech therapy later on. But now she doesn't ever be quiet.
Have notice if he can hear you from both ears? It is so hard when little ones get tested for hearing. They can't tell you. But if pediatrician can check that would be first step. But you said he understands so just might be one of those kids that if he points to get something you'll have to push. Like if wants drink repeat it to him.over and over. Or tell him he won't get until he says it. Yes hard love. But if don't push sometimes then they won't. That is what we did with neice and finally she started to more and more out.
Hopee this helps
.

Hi there C.. I have had similar concerns about my daughter and have read many posts from many parents who feel the same way that you do. What I can tell you is this... Speech development (like walking) has a vast age span for development. Most children who only have one or 2 words at 18 months probably have normal speech development. However, for some, this is an early sign of a speech delay. If it is a sign of a speech delay, early intervention is really important. Hence, it is up to you as a parent to decide which route you want to take... contact early intervention to cover your bases just in case, or wait a bit longer and see if your little ones speech comes along. By 2 years old, things will be much clearer for you.

I will tell you that I took the early intervention route with my daughter when I had concerns about her speech... I didn't want to take the chance that she was delayed and didn't get the help she needed as early as possible. As it turns out, my daughters speech is not delayed at all, BUT, she recently developed a pretty severe stutter... Since she was already in the system and seeing an SLP, she was already getting the help she needed and my concerns were addressed immediately.

You know your child better than anyone and I am sure that you will make the decision that is best for your son at this time. A.

Hi - I know how you feel. My son is 24 months and and only has four or five words. However, he understands everything we say, follows directions, shows no frustration. He also uses some sign language which we taught him before he was one - please, thank you, more, milk. Anyway, when he was 18 months my Dr. said if he didn't have more words by the time he was 21 months to have him evaluated (our city does this for free), which we did and the results were that nothing was wrong, it was "delayed expression." I have since talked to many moms who said their kids (boys and girls) didn't talk until they were 2. However, just to be sure I would talk to your Dr. about getting an evaluation. Although for my son nothing was wrong, they also said if he still didn't talk in 3-6 months, to contact them again. I am planning to talk to our Dr. again at his 24 month check-up and possibly start him in speech therapy depending on what she says. Good luck! Try not to worry until you have all the facts - I know this is easier said than done because I struggle with it, too!

Hi C.
I think you are within normal range, but on anything if in doubt check with the MD. Dual language may be slowing the speaking down. Dual language is wonderful when it works.
Understanding comes long before speaking.
Are you encouraging him to speak?
I absolutely love to hear little kids talk. My 4 talked early. Our oldest used to say "What's that?" I would walk around the house carrying him, answering "wall" "picture" "door" whatever at about 8 months, our younger boy, we wanted and waited for him to talk: not sure when he finally talked, but he walked at 7 mo, the twins always talked, and I would say "nope, you have to talk so that mommy understands not just to sissy" So they began speaking twinlish.
God bless you
K.

If you know your son takes his time with things, then I am sure it is fine. AT 18 months my daughter only had 3 words. We got her into early intervention. It turned out she is like your son... she just didn't want to use her words until she was really good at it. She went from 3 words, to 7 word sentences in a few months. Now she is 23 months and can talk fluently.

Anyway, get him evaluated by early intervention. They will be able to tell you if it is a developmental delay or just his personality.

My expereince with children and two languages is that they take longer with words at times. Stick with certain English words for things and Greek words for things. This may help. YOu may still want him evaluted by Early Intervention to rule anything out or just for some help with speech.

My little guy was the same, He worked on all his physical stuff first, then right about 22 months he flourished, and now at 3, I'm wishing he had a "mute" button every now and then,, hehehe Good luck, hang in there. I wouldn't worry just yet, At that point I remember reading, that talking to them is a major skill just like walking, climbing, sitting, etc, they only work on one major skill at a time.

I would talk to your pediatrician to see if he is worthy of an evaluation but I would bet money that he will tell you that kids in bilingual homes take a little longer but when they do speak, speak both languages. Its always worth talking to your ped though because language delays can be an early symptom of autism, and while I don't think there is a concern with your son, as mom of an autistic child who was diagnosed much much later than he should have been I feel a duty to make sure people are aware.

My son is only 15 months old and is not speaking yet but my doctor told me that children who learn two languages begin speaking later but know twice as much when they do.

If this were my child, I would call the county and ask them to screen him for Early Intervention services, which would allow him to receive therapy [speech] if it is deemed necessary. This would be at no cost to you--it is a wonderful program. By 18 months, we can usually expect a child to be trying to verbalize needs, although the vocabulary would not be extensive. I am a pediatric OT, and I hope my opinion helps! Best wishes.
R. Q.

C., I wouldn't worry at all! My 4 year old didn't really start to talk until well after that and now he never stops. Sounds totally normal to me.

My son at 18 months only said between 5-10 words. The dr. did encourage us to get early intervention help. He has been getting it for 8 months now and has improved tremendously. They still consider him behind though. He can put 2 words together but doesn't ask in a sentence what he needs. He would just say"milk" He is 2 1/2 now. If you are concerned, I would get all the help you can. It is free up until 3 and they come to your house. Some kids take longer than others though. Now I think they push kids a lot sooner. Good luck.

It is a wonderful gift for a child to be fluent in two (or more) languages. Sounds like your son is doing fine, but check with your pediatrician if you have continued concerns. This website has a lot of information that you and your husband may find helpful:

http://www.multilingualchildren.org/index.html

Child development milestones have a HUGE range. At this point, your son should have more than 2 words and should be starting to replace gestures with single word requests/demands. Does he gesture and indicate his needs? Does he seem frustrated by his difficulty communicating? If your son seems frustrated or doesn't seem to have a mode of communication, there is likely a delay that needs to be addressed.

Talk with your doctor and see what he/she has to say. Language testing before the age of two is difficult and often invalid. If he word bank doesn't pick-up in the next 2-3 months, request a language evaluation through your county's Early Intervention program. It's free to you and it will help you identify whether or not there is a developmental delay. If there is a delay, you will be provided with language therapy at no cost as well!

I wouldn't worry too much. My now 15 year old honors student, also a boy, did not speak much until he was about 2 1/2 years old. He may just be more introspective. If he appears fine in other areas, just mention it to your physician at your next visit.

I would not be concerned at all. Milestones vary for all children. If he understands what you're saying than he's doing just fine. My daughter, who is 18 months and has a ton of words, just saw the doctor. We were told she was way ahead of the curve and that most kids only have a handle of words at this age. So your son is right on schedule. And trust me, you'll soon be wishing for the days when he had only a few words.

I would speak with your doctor as to what his or her thoughts are. At this age there is a HUGE variance in what children can say, as well as how clearly they can say or pronounce it. My son is advanced for his age (almost speaking sentences at 21 months, but not just yet) but my nephew only had 20 or so words by age 2. Now at age three he is a totally normal child, super smart (as he always was!!) and has an age appropriate vocabulary.
I would imagine that having the 2 languages makes it harder since there is such big difference between accent of the words, 2 words for every item in his life. I have heard that this is a common delay for bilingual children.
I also think it is good to encourage your child to say words (you may already do this). I started doing that to my son before he could realistically say anything and after a while I started receiving responses to my requests. At first he just stared blankly back at me. Now he seriously repeats everything, sometimes things we don't want him to say!! Hahahahah!
I would imagine he is fine. He may just be the kind of kids who wants to wait until he can say the full sentence of what he means.

If you are saying that he only speaks on or two words at a time, that is COMPLETELY normal. I know A LOT of moms with kids under 3, and most of the boys are not speaking in sentences until after they are 2.

If, however, you are saying that he only speaks one or two words TOTAL (i.e., only says mama and ball, for example), then that is definitely slower than most, but since he understands plenty, I wouldn't be very concerned. Some kids are shy about speaking, and might not do it until they are more confident. Does he communicate in other ways? I would speak to your pediatrician, though. He/She could make a better assessment.

we went thru the same with my daughter and the doctor said as long as she understood what was being said and made sounds to not worry about it. somewhere around 2 she starting speaking in paragraphs.

patience is a virtue we sometimes forget about .... but he'll speak when he's ready

I wouldn't worry at all. My older son was speaking in full sentences by 19 months old, but he was most unusual. My younger son was not saying much at 19 months, so I figured each kid is different, no problem, he'll probably be closer to three when he does begin to speak in full sentences. But then by 21 months old... he just took off!!! I was so surprised! So I wouldn't worry, your son will be talking in no time at all. Make sure you write down all those precious fun things he says to you! It's such a fun time in life & it goes by so fast. Enjoy every minute!
D. N. xo

Dont worry! My son who is 17 months old is not speaking much either he says Dada and when he feels like it he'll say Mama but really not much more. The tricky part here is my son has a trach and we had early intervention come to evaluate him to make sure he was on track with his development, and he is. The only thing that he needs is to build up some muscle strength in his torso - he didnt have 'tummy time' as all other children do which is important to strenghten those muscles. I explained to them I was concerned about his speach and they tell me he is right on track and to wait till he is 2 to re-evaluate him because the expectations at that age are greater than they are now. So...give it some time and before you know it your child should be saying some more words soon...kinda like someone opened the flood gates!

Dear C.,
it is not only the number of words that he speaks and understands that is important. The question is whether your little one develops normally in other areas - does he play age appropriately, does he engage with you, does he point, does he react if you call his name? Discuss with your pediatrician and call Early Intervention, they will come to your house and evaluate your son for free. After that, you will have a clear picture.

Hi C.,

I did not get a chance to read your responses but this is what I would like to suggest: Please please have your son evaluated by Early Intervention! I wish that somebody told me about it before so that it was not a late! My son is 3 now but when he was 18 months he had 1-3 words as well. I was concerned and saw about 4 different Peds and they all told me because we also speak another language that must be why he is not talking. And at the age of 2 it turned out that it was not just the bilingual speach delay :( yes, maybe everything is fine for him, but what if it is not? If you don't want to regret later ask for an evaulation. If everything is Ok you will be Ok, but if it isn't you will have the help. Even if you have him evaluated now it will take about a month or 2 for the services to start. So please don't delay.
Good luck!

I was concerned at about 16 months with my son. We had to have him evaluated twice as the first time he was at the old end of the their age testing spectrum and did not qualify for services. At 20 months and still only saying "mommy, daddy, baby" and was evaluated again and this time was at the young side of the age spectrum. This was all at my request (his ped said he would be ok, but it was my decision). Birth to Three sent out a wonderful therapist from Easter Seals who told me he had the vocab of a 10 month old at 20 months. He did do some sign language we had taught him from about 1 year old-and was able to communicate and follow all verbal directions. He saw a therapist once a week for about 8 months at which time they got him on the right road to speaking. He is now just over 4 and has the vocab and verbal skills of an adult and WON"T STOP TALKING EVER!!!! People constantly question how old he is due to how well spoken he is. My husband is from Romania and unfortunately did not attempt to speak to him in Romanian ever, but they did talk to us about that and had suggested that IF we wanted to, to just hold off for a few months until he was on the right track and then return again to teaching both languages.

I think that it never hurts to get it checked out. Early intervention for ANY problem is the best way to go. Then if it turns out to be nothing than at least you didn't wait.