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Behaviour/development

Worried about no speech and hardly any babble at 14 months

10 replies

surreyworrier · 20/11/2005 09:19

I know there are loads of threads on here about speech delay but I can't find any that relate exactly to my concerns wondered if anyone has experienced similar regarding late speech?

Basically DS, who is 14 months has no speech (which I'm not concerned about yet) but seems to have a limited babble repetoire consisting of 'bababa' and 'mamama'. I have heard him make the 'd' and 'g' sounds in the past but has never said 'dadadad' or 'gagaga' and am worried he should be making a wider variety of sounds. He does try to copy speech spontanously at times or if we ask him to say something but he just sort of smacks his lips and opens/closes his mouth like a goldfish (sorry for the rubbish description!) as if he can't make the sound but is trying to.

On a positive note his understanding is good as he responds well to instructions and he has started pointing at things which I know is important, but it's just the speech that seems to be so late. He's had a full hearing test which was fine and a full developmental check at the hospital which showed he is on target or ahead for reaching all his developmental milestones except in speech where is at the level of a 9-12 months old - so just one level behind where he should be. The doctor who assessed him has referred him for speech therapy due to the length of time we'll wait for an appointment but said it's possible he may catch up before then, we'll have to wait and see.

Has anyone else had experince of such speech concerns? He is an only child so we talk all the time with him and he loves books, songs etc but apart from him saying 'uh' to everything, he just seems to be no nearer making any more sounds let alone talking that I can't help worrying!

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

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Kaz33 · 20/11/2005 09:56

Hi surreyworrier - i know its hard but by the sounds of things you and he are doing all the right things. They are all very different and develop in different ways at different times.

DS1 could say sentences by the time he was 22 months but DS2 didn't really start saying anything until he was 22 months. DS2 has caught up quickly and is gabbling away now at 2 and a half.

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MaryP0p1 · 20/11/2005 10:03

Neither of mine said anything before their dummy disappeared and words came about a week later (a week of whinging first). They behaved exactly as your son did.

DD now nearly 8 doesn't stop talking and DS would rather not talk if at all possible (just lazy I suppose). Neither needed speech therapy.

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dinny · 20/11/2005 10:11

Surreyworrier, my ds is same age and doesn't say much other than Mama, sometimes Dada, and very recently Gaga/Baba...
Really don't think there's anything to worry about - he's very young and they all progress at their own pace. So long as his hearing is OK (which it sounds like it is) I don't think you have any cause for concern. Can I ask why he had a developmental check at the hospital? Routine where you are or because you're worried?

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surreyworrier · 20/11/2005 11:06

Thanks all for your reassuring replies, am trying not to worry as know his understanding is good which I'm sure is the main thing.

Dinny - My GP originally referred him for a full hearing test and after passing that he just automatically got referred to see a pediatrician to do a more thorough check. A follow-up appt has been booked in for 6 months time as well as referral to speech therapy so just seems to be the system where we are - hpoing he won't need either appointment however!!

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Socci · 20/11/2005 11:25

Message withdrawn

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surreyworrier · 20/11/2005 13:08

Thanks Socci. TBH I wasn't ever worried until the HV commented he was late babbling and told us to see the GP. I was hoping to hear 'It's nothing to worry about' but instead it seems to have snowballed into hearing tests, pediatric appts and now referral to SALT!

I also think he's just quite a quiet, thoughtful boy (neither DH or myself are particularly loud!) and at the moment seems to be taking a lot in - hopefully it's just part of his personality.

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MaryP0p1 · 20/11/2005 13:57

Generally I think health visitors comments don't Its seems dreadfully early to be putting him down for speech therapy though.

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Hulababy · 20/11/2005 14:00

Spent time yesterday with a little boy about a month younger maybew who had very mittle languiuage at all and no recognisable words that we could make out - mum and dad could the odd one. He is doing just fine though and there didn't seem any worries at all.

They are all different, and when he does start chattering away you'll be longing for those quiet days again!

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Socci · 21/11/2005 00:29

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surreyworrier · 21/11/2005 20:45

Thanks everyone, am feeling much happier now.

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