when did your child start talking?

[christie]

Here I am a mom of four, and I'm already getting concerned about our daughter not saying any words other than momma, dadda, and bobba. You would think I would be pretty laid back about this, but so many concerns start going through my mind. She's 16mths now, and I've been working with her every day. We read books, take walks, and point to tree, grass, sky, dog, cat, and she still calls them all bobba (which is short for bottle) . I guess I'm like a first time mom with her because she is adopted and she does have some delays. I know that she can hear me so I don't think that's the issue. So.... when did your children start saying real words and start putting words together? I know that every child is different, I just want to get an idea. I guess when you think about it, she really only started learning english nine months ago when she joined our family. Any thoughts?

[Lillie]

I pm'd you.

[jessica327]

I sent you a PM too.

[christie]

Thank you for your pm's!!!! It made me realize that I'm not crazy being concerned! I agree with what you both had to say. I will schedule an appt. with her ped. and see if she thinks she should have further testing. I would rather be a worried mom and get her evaluated, than to blow it off, and there be something wrong! While I'm there, I guess maybe we should have her ears tested. Now that I think about it, she did have a hearing test done when she was a baby. I'm not sure why she had it done, but it did show her to be within normal range the second time. I guess it doesn't hurt to have her checked again. Thanks again and Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

[Quilting Mama]

Our DD came home when she was 10.5 months old. When she was 2 and was hardly talking at all. We had her evaluated by Early On. She did not qualify for services. They felt she was fine. By the time she was 2.5 years she was talking and has never stopped.

If you are concerned, I would definitely call and have her evaluated.

Hope that helps.

[HLLB]

It certainly doesn't hurt to have her evaluated, but she's not THAT far behind. They look for at least 10 words said with meaning by age 18 months. I had my son evaluated at 18 months - he had only about 6 or 7 words at the time. But he was very far ahead with gross motor. By the time he was 2 or maybe a little after he was a chatterbug. My daughter was slightly delayed as well, but didn't qualify for services. She is now 5 and does qualify for services and gets them at school. She has what they consider 'immature language'. She has no trouble communicating, but says things like "her did that" instead of "she did that" etc.

[Sandwich in Wi]

Both my boys were delayed. My first son came home at 18 mos and picked up some words, used a lot of signs and understood everything we said. We had him evaluated at 2.5 and he was found to be ahead in receptive language (understanding what we say) and behind in expressive. They gave us some things to work on with him, but really, it was like the day we called for services, he began talking and has never stopped. He does still have some speech (articulation) issues.

My second son came home at 2.5 not putting two words together in his native language. He has been very slow to gain in speech. We had him evaluated at 3.5 and he qualified for early childhood services, but again, as soon as we had him evaluated, he started to make huge gains! Weird.

He is now 4.5 and says tons and never shuts up, but is considered 50% unintelligible. He is receiving speech services at public school for 2 30 minute sessions per week. He also understands everything we say. He has articulation and grammar issues (still not using articles, incorrectly uses pronouns (me do it), incorrectly asks questions (who that for what's that)) He'll get much more speech work next year in Kindergarten. With him, the good news is that he IS improving daily and does work hard to improve when corrected.

It's not uncommon and I would have her evaluated just to see what you can do to help her out. Sometimes they need services and sometimes it just comes to them all of a sudden and they get it.

Good luck

blessings,
Sandwich

[elfkin]

Our ped said at 18 months they should be starting to put 2 words together like; more milk, want up, my dog, etc. BTDT!

[4fromkorea]

I'm a couple of days late on this, but...

my 3rd child came home at 4 months old. He did not say his first word until 23 months. We had early intervention come out to our house from 19 to 21 months, but felt it was getting in the way of attachment (he was struggling at the time). By 24 months, he only had 3 or 4 words, but could identity all of his shapes. By 26 months, he knew a few more words, but could identify every letter, color and number. At 31 months, he only had about 50 words (none together and very unintelligible) but could ride a two wheeler without training wheels . I truly believe he was very very busy working on other things.

He started special ed preschool for speech back in August (at 38 months). He speech has made huge strides (multiple sentences at a time), but he is still a little behind for his age. I really do believe that some kiddos just do things a little differently and at their own pace. That said, I was very worried about my son for a long time...thinking of all the scary things that could be "wrong".

[2ndTimeAround]

Our first daughter came home at about a year... she didn't talk ...or ... put words together for ages...And now I can't remember how long it was... but she's six and now I can't remember her not communicating!

When you think about it, our children [from China] have to completely "reboot" their brain. At about 1 years old, I've read children understand/ comprehend about 90% of language. That being said, they have to start allll over with language and ten million other changes in their little lives... aren't they amazing?!

Since we go to Chinese school with our 6 year old, when we come home the 2nd time around with Yang Guo, we will make certain there are people speaking Chinese to her as she learns English. Perhaps it will make the language transition easier?

I'm certain with the love, patience and experience of your other children it's all going forward in the time frame and way it should!

Collene

http://www.chinagirllove.blogspot.com
I've posted some new "freebie" d/loadables on my B'/spot -- most recently a much needed [for me anyway] "To Do list!" Please enjoy!

[christie]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your information and experiences. It sounds like this is a very common especially with international adoptions. I think we will keep working with her and when she's 18mths, we'll get her evaluated if needed. Many of you have mentioned your kids not being able to say words, but they can definitely understand what your saying and follow simple instructions. This is the case with us as well. From the beginning we taught her some signing, and she picked it up really fast. Now I'm wondering if we should keep doing that or really encourage her to talk instead. Would this cause her to get frustrated with us and not want to communicate, or would it push her to talk instead of sign? I'm sure I will look back at this some day and laugh and wonder why on earth did I want her to talk so bad. There are definitely days when I wish my 14yr old would keep his mouth shut. HA HA!!

[rebeccajohn]

It took our DS--united at 13.5months China...until close to 18months of age or older to actually "talk" he did have signs and his attempt at words. I too watched and worried a bit. But at his 2 yr old well checkup the MD asked me about how many words we could understand DS speak...close to 80... Now as a 3.5 yr old we cannot get a word in edgewise.

With our signs we said the word along w/the sign to help with language. DS will still use a sign here or there even now at 3.5yrs. For effect and cute factor(yes he knows that the cute factors might work--especially w/the grandparents).

You know her best ... I hope she starts being more "wordy" for you and I bet in a few months or so you'll not even remember what it was like before.

Rebecca
DH
DD
DS 3.5 yrs old home from Yunnan China July 2007

[corrin]

Hi,

My son came home at 9 months old an only had a few words by 18 months. I was concerned b/c he was a premie. My ped was not. She felt that b/c he was in korea the first 9 months and b/c he was hitting other development al milestones he was fine. I was doing all the same things as you, still not talking much. I called my county early intervention, they were GREAT (you do not need a referral for this plus it is free). The lady asked me lots of questions, and had a team come to my house to evaluate matthew. It did take them like 6 weeks to schedule an appointment b/c of their backload. PT, OT and speech came out even though I told the lady that he only needed speech (apparently it is protocol in my area for the whole team to come). He did qualify for speech. They also really calmed my nerves, everything else was fine and his receptive language was good. He will be tested again soon, they do not think he will qualify for EI b/c he is doing so well.

My advice is to call EI, they are great!

[hikinglorax]

When in doubt- get their hearing checked and call EI but for a 1 year old normal is 1 word and for a 2 year old- normal is saying 50 words (and that's at age 2 for a child who has heard English from birth) There is usually a big jump in words between 18-24 months (from less than 10 to 50 or more) and it is not until age 2 that kids start putting words together and then it's only 2 word sentences. Of course some kids do it earlier but this is the benchmark of "normal" for kids in the US is at age 2 they have 50 words and are beginning to combine them into 2 word sentences. She is only 16 months so with 3 words I wouldn't worry yet, but EI isn't going to hurt her so I would have them out

[Angie F.]

I wouldn't be worried until the child is age 3 and still not talking beyond the early words. Some children, especially those that are more physically active, are late talkers. As long as she demonstrates comprehension of language and follows orders, points to body parts, etc, I wouldn't be too concerned at this age.