16 month only says two words, doesnt point, or follow directions. Should I be wo

13 answers /

Last post: 07/04/2023 at 4:30 pm

Anonymous

15/05/2011 at 1:10 pm

She says mama and dada, but doesnt understand who or what mama and dadda is. See doesnt point, to things she wants or to body parts like shes not aware that she can. she dosent follow simply instructions or questions, "like come here" "wheres your drink" "wheres your toes" ect
She'll wave hello and bye, She'll clap her hands If you call her clever and recipiate kisses sometimes.

The reason im asking is because a friends child who is a month younger says mum, dad, cat, duck, dinner and girl. And if you ask her to get something from another room she'll go get it and bring it back to you.

I know they all develop at differant rates. But her playmate is really far ahead comparered.

How does or did your 16 month old responds to questions and directions? How many words can/could they say?

Thanks in advance

Lenka S(8)

15/05/2011 at 1:19 pm

My boy is 17 month and I am not really sure what he understands. He deffo doesnt point at his toes. He does point to thinks he wonders about and what he wants but when I ask him to bring him something he doesnt understand.
He is bilingual though. I think this is normal, dont worry.Some kids are faster, some are slower with talking.

Anonymous

15/05/2011 at 1:33 pm

Hiya,

As a Mum myself of 2, and a childminder currently caring for several little ones of a simular age to yours, all children develop at different speeds (im sure youve heard that a million times before). Ive have children not walking till they are 18mths, and still babbling at 18mths!

In my job, if we have concerns with children in our care we watch and observe the children during play, and ask ourselves- Can she hear you ok? Does she play by herself ok? -Like stacking bricks, or pretending to feed dolls? Does she get the toy herself that she wants? Then we note what we have seen and take our notes/observations to parents to seek advice from the health visitor....

Its obviously playing on your mind or you wouldnt have posted the question- i would seek reassurance or advice from your health visitor- give her a call, she may already do a drop in clinic, or attend a local tots group where you could meet her informally.

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MANDY H(15)

15/05/2011 at 3:37 pm

My15 month old says, dada, mama, Isla sister), duck, juice, narna (banana), dog, all gone, there, barks like a dog, does moo noises, knows her name, follows very basic instructions, points randomly and then sometimes to items, like a cup, chocolate,that she wants.

She has only really started doing these things in last 4 weeks but said Isla long before but only cos it's the most said (shouted) word in our house.

I remember my DD1 being a bit more advanced and saying more earlier, she said cows in distance whilst pointing to a field when she was 21 months (LOL)

I do know a kid who literally did not say anything until well over 2 years but she is coming up for 3 and is completely on the same level as my older one who spoke very early so I guess my point is that things all pan out and by about 3-4 I think most kids are on a level.

I think that you should mention it to a health visitor but not for a while yet, you probably need to wait for another 6 months or so and see what is going on then. I bet your LO knows alot more than you think - sometimes it's the personalities creeping through and each person is different. I wouldn't worry too much just keep an eye on it for a while and keep talking to LO all the time.

keeley a(13)

15/05/2011 at 6:06 pm

my son has just turned 17months and i saw the health visitor last week as i was concerned that his speech was delayed compared with friends of ours who have children the same age. SHe wasnt at all concerned as he could do the things she asked him....
touch your head, pat your tummy, stick your tongue out, sit on your bottom etc etc. He has very limited vocab, mama, nana, bye, uck (stuck) over the course of 6 months he has actually said about 30 words but he has never repeated them and is inconsistent even with the words he does say. She said that boys do tend to be a bit lazy with speech and that he was not showing any signs for a need to be referred to a therapist and that they dont start to worry about boys until they are 2 1/2 so we have another year before i start to panic!!!
im sure your little boy is fine, but if you are at all worried then i would maybe take him to your clinic to see a health visitor just to put your mind at rest x

Lenka S(8)

15/05/2011 at 6:27 pm

In answer to

keeley a(13)

Did she asked him to stick his tongue out or did she showed it to him and asked him to copy it?

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Anonymous

15/05/2011 at 8:54 pm

My eldest only said car and chocolate until he was 2!! He did seem behind in his speech compared to others and I was told not to worry.... He is now almost 4 and is very bright he is at exactly the same level with regards to speech as all his friends!! It is true they all develop at different speeds. It is a worry though, but please don't panic yet as 16 months is so young. My youngest didn't say anything at 16 months, and I am not sure he understood much either, his now 22 months and is a chatterbox, talks all the time and says sooooooo much!!!

Anonymous

15/05/2011 at 9:05 pm

Hi, apparently boys are slower with their speech than girls. I personally wouldn't panic. My DS didn't start with really getting words until the last month or so. And as for instructions it was a few months ago. And it all started with me talking to myself saying "wheres your bottle gone?" and he went and found it. I suddenly realised that he was understanding what I was saying. I was worried that he seemed a bit behind but it seemed like the penny dropped. I think if they are saying things or just 'jabba' to themselves in baby speak you shouldn't be too worried. But if you are concerned talk to a health visitor. If he's eating ok generally they don't get too worried.

The problem is we often see parents competing - my son/daughter does this and that. We then get worried that our child isn't doing the same. But if you observe some children are far more advanced physically than verbally. And often they are very observant and suddenly the say "hey mum, fancy a cuppa?"

Have you got lots of noisy books lying around? My son loves them and they've really helped his language? He has access to them all the time. If they get damaged I don't care so he is very relaxed about reading (Well looking at pictures and pressing noisy buttons?)

Anonymous

15/05/2011 at 9:25 pm

My eldest hardly said a word until she was about 2 - ah, the good old days - now I can't keep her quiet and her speech is very clear. You're right about them developing differently - their brains develop at different rates and also different aspects at different times. So whilst one child might be advanced at speaking another might be more advanced at fine motor skills or something. They all catch up in the end. By school you'd have no idea who was first at walking or talking or any of the other so called important milestones.

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Anonymous

05/12/2018 at 12:38 am

Hi! I was just wondering how your lo made out? My 16 mo still is not talking or understanding commands or what things are if we label them. I am really concerned.

Can't find your answer?

Coleen P

17/05/2020 at 7:43 pm

In answer to

Anonymous

Hi! I was just wondering how your lo made out? My 16 mo still is not talking or understanding commands or what things are if we label them. I am really concerned.

Hi Lisa, how is your little one now?