Concerns About 13 Month Old Receptive Language

Hi there and welcome! I am saying this from experience - Don't let anyone tell you he's too young to worry or just wait and see because boys develop slower.
My son, now 5.5, was the same age when I realized my friends kids (same age) were pointing and responding to their name or seemed to know, if you said you were going somewhere, to walk towards the door, many other examples......anyway, my son didn't seem to understand any of this. At his 12 month check up this was brought up to the dr. he said, as others have said, this should be emerging in the next couple of months, comes see me in 8 weeks and we'll see if he's progressed........he didn't and we got a referral to the Illinois Early Childhood Program.

People looked at me like I was crazy or thought I was an idiot for talking about my son getting evaluated. We got his ears checked, hearing was fine.....next was an evaluation with speech therapists, OT, etc. Turned out, from their evaluation, that he qualified due to deficits. he started speech therapy and developmental therapy.

I won't get into every stage of his life, but will say - my son has on the fence diagnosis of ADHD and/or PDD-NOS (autism spectrum). however with the early intervention we were able to get him the most support as early as possible.

My son is going into Kindergarten this year and he has graduated out of speech therapy as he has met and exceeded his goals!!!!

Trust your motherly instincts and let peoples comments roll off your back - you are your childs best advocate. I am glad I didn't listen and take the 'wait and see' approach.

Well, it might not be anything, but definitely get an eval with early intervention through your state. The eval is free and the worst that could happen is that they determine he would need services in which case you could get some help for your little guy! Good luck!

My son is 3, VERY bright, very normal. He didn't do this at 12 months. He just really didn't want to. Personally, I would not worry about this just yet. I remember when my son was younger, and I had a tendency to worry about if he was on par with others. Don't do that!! Is your pediatrician worried? Bring it up to him/her. If they aren't worried, just keep doing what you're doing. 12 month olds are VERY curious in their surroundings. They aren't known for listening much :)

I think that he might be young to worry about this, but what do I know, I'm not a professional. So, I would recommend a call to your local Early Intervention office. They should be able to give you an idea of what is developmentally typical for receptive language and, based on what you say, whether or not they recommend a developmental screening for him.

Take a deep breath. For most kids, things do happen in their own time and they are usually fine.

Did you do a hearing test at birth with your son? If there were any indicators that he does not have a full range of hearing, then there would be cause for concern.

I've worked with wee ones for a long, long time. Some were able to 'follow directions' at this age, but many didn't and they are *fine*.. but what I wonder is, what is he doing when you are asking him to do these tasks? ("Come to mommy", etc.) Kids can get very engrossed in what they are noticing/learning/doing so that our request really goes in one ear and out the other. They are not capable-- their brains are not capable-- of focusing on more than one thing/person at a time.

For example, there's a difference between not handing you the ball because he's exploring it, playing with it, engrossed in it, not ready to give it to you yet-- as opposed to not handing you the ball because he just doesn't get it.

Kids also need tons of repetition to learn language. "I give you the ball" hand it to him. "You gave me the ball". To learn language and to provide gentle guidance, one thing I have done with all the children I've cared for is lots of narration. Using simple language, describing what's happening in real time. "It's time to change your diaper. Let's go to the changing table. Time to lay down. Oh, you see your hands. Legs up. Bottom up. Oh, this diaper is wet. Here comes a cool wipe! Brrr! It feels cold..." You don't have to do this constantly, but this sort of interaction explains what's happening, provides language and predictability for the child and describes back to them what they are doing, giving their actions meaning and value.

I would also be heartened that he is expressing himself and his desires with pointing. Some kids don't get there until later.

Your kiddo (and you, too,) sound fine, mama. :) I would say that if he's hitting a later date and you still feel this is an issue, then address it with your pediatrician. My perspective on developmental milestones charts is that while they are helpful, they can often make parents really worry. I have seen plenty of children 'click into' a skill sometimes 2-4 months after the charts suggest and do well. My own son is five and his first couple of years, he did everything at least 2-3 months after he was 'supposed to'. He's still a little behind the pack in some ways, but is overall just fine.

First children always make us worry the most. I think most of us can relate to that feeling of 'my kid is the only one who isn't..." from time to time. Don't feel bad about it. Take care!

Your state should have a free program (in KS it is Tiny K and in OK it is Sooner Start) that can evaluate him and provide services. If you think there is a problem, don't wait!

Your son is right at the age where most kids develop this skill. Some kids have wonderful receptive language prior to a year, but others not until 14 or 16 months. So please don't worry! The fact that your son is pointing to things he wants indicates that he *can* communicate and is just learning how. Make sure you talk to him A TON!!! Tell him what everything is, ask him questions even if he can't answer, narrate your day, and try to interact. If all he's able to do right now is point, ask him which he'd like, a piece of banana or a piece of cheese, and help him point to the one he wants. Then get excited that he's "helped out".

Again, do not stress. Your son is not at all behind. The receptive language will come... it really will!

My guy turned 3 in April and is VERY responsive, but he sure wasn't at a year or so. He was too busy observing and taking everything in all around him, the quiet, serious type, hadn't made the connection yet that he was expected to comply, didn't feel compelled to, or as Hazel said, may not have been ready to ; )

Does your son get to play with other babies around his age, playdates or the park, maybe? That may help to start to bring his responsiveness out. You can also take him to the library for storytime, he will see and hear stories and songs, and be asked to clap and dance, and so on.

Bring your concerns up to your son's pediatrician, and if he or she isn't concerned do not worry or stress about it. If they are concerned contact Early Intervention in your area and proceed from there, but my guess is all is well.

And welcome to Mamapedia!!

I totally understand my daughter was a premie he's doing OK for his adjusted age but for me I had pt/ot/speech therapist come out they helped me out alot with my daughter just let the doctor know your concerns!!!

I was an early childhood interventionist for almost 3 years, and the fact that your son is pointing at (adjusted) 12 months is good. That's the first thing we had to teach all the kids. I wouldn't worry too much about the language yet. Make sure he's making good eye contact though. You can always have him evaluated! :)

Honestly, if he can understand ANY words at 12 months or so, he's probably absolutely fine. I don't recall my son responding to three- and four-word commands at that age either. One thing I do know is that babies sometimes pick up better on questions than on instructions: they're more attuned to the shifts in tone (like at the end of a question) than to words. If he can respond (nonverbally) to "Where's the doggie?" he's doing great.