Hello!

I have an 18 month old, whos only word is mum. he points and uses noises to show what he wants, but there is no other communication…… My daughter at the same age, was having full conversations with me, could tell me anything she wanted etc. I am concerned about his development, but everyone says boys develop slower than girls.


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  • Yes often boys develop a little slower than girls. When my boy was 2,5 yr old, he only spoke 5 words, but his speech developed well over the years in his own time.


  • I think it’s very individual. If you’re concerned you could try a different health nurse or doctor for another opinion? But I have some friends with boys who were late speakers


  • One of my sons was slow to talk as my daughter would get what he wanted so I had to stop her doing it as he did the same as yours used to point. If your concerned get your doctor to refer you to have him checked out.


  • All kids are different and they do develop at different stages. We had a friend who’s child didn’t speak much at all until he was four. Very worrying but then he found his voice and boy did he. He is the noisy kid in class now and he has a lot to say. Give him time he will talk and display his needs and wants in his own way. Keep teaching him words by reading books and playing games with words and sounds.


  • Look, my middle son took so long to talk that child care started asking if he had a problem. And then when he was two, he just took off and now we can’t shut him up! If you’re worried, take him to a paeditrician – it certainly won’t hurt – but I wouldn’t panic if it’s just that you’re comparing him to his sister.


  • Keep talking to him as much as possible and monitor over the next few months. If no improvement then see a gp and speech therapist. Better to get on it earlier rather than later.


  • As others have said boys do seem to develop slower than girls and all children are different. If you are concerned speak to your health professional as when I had concerns about my son everyone told me that boys are slower…..etc, but I felt like it wasn’t normal turns out I was right and his autistic but being able to start early intervention younger was a bonus. It’s better to bring it up with them if your concerned


  • I have a similar issue with my 17 month old. He talks very little, as in basically not at all. He has only recently started pointing, christmas decorations helped, and waving. He doesnt have issues understanding what is being said to him and he seems normal to me. Child health are trying to say he is on the spectrum but I dont think so. All kids develop at their own rate. If you are worried take him to your doctor and talk through your worries.


  • They all develop at their own pace, but if you are concerned talk to your maternal health nurse


  • This sounds really normal for his age. Don’t compare him to your daughter as all kids are different, even siblings! My daughter is saying lots of words and she’s not yet 2 but my other babies didn’t say much at all until about 2 and a half


  • I work in Childcare and find that some children have better vocab than others, it comes down to each individual child and what they learn. You say you have another older child, they probably indicate what your youngest wants, thereby meaning he doesn’t have to use his words himself as his older sister does it for him. I would also suggest you just chatter away to him, if he gives you something ask him “oh is that a red car, thank you” ..”would you like it back?” … just general chit chat …. it encourages children to use their words and express themselves. Even when putting his shoes on you could say “one, two – two shoes on your feet” – it’s just a matter of letting them hear different words, so that they can verbalize them themselves. Most people ask a question of children, which means they really only have a yes or no answer, but if you asked an open ended question then they can reply to it. You will find that he will pick up words very quickly and you will have worried for nothing :)
    ps … learning sign is also a great thing to do, as children learn very quickly and its a skill they may use in the future.


  • When my son was 2,5yr old he spoke 5 words. Each child develops in their own pace. Boys develop in general slower than girls. I wouldn’t directly worry too much, but when it gives you peace of mind you could talk about it with the health nurse. One other thing you could consider is starting sign language as it can really help to give them a tool to express themselves


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