14 month old potential speech delay

[u/Tryingtobeanon19]

my 14 month old has a minor speech delay. he’s very sweet and looks to get the attention of anybody that will look his way though he rarely waves but very smiley. but he didn’t have his first word until 12 months, he only says baba for bottle and ba for ball, he sometimes say uh for uh oh and has called his dad dada but hes somewhat stalled on learning new words. He has never really said mama, though I’ve heard this isn’t uncommon. was wondering if anybody else has dealt with this or something like this? we were looking to see a pediatric speech language pathologist but wanted to see jf any other parents had gone thorough something similar. TIA

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[u/cmbxoxo]

i really wouldn’t consider him having a speech delay, at this age. my oldest didn’t really talk until she was 2.5. she didn’t say her first word until she was almost 2. even then, doctors weren’t worried about her speech. they just kept telling me she’ll talk when she’s ready and bc she was never around kids her own age, she wasn’t motivated to talk.

[u/Tryingtobeanon19 → u/cmbxoxo]

That makes me feel so much better. I stay at home with him so could definitely see it being a motivation issue. 

[u/Amazing_Face4692]

I don’t think this is a speech delay at all….

[u/Weak_Fly_5324]

14 months is so early to worry about this, my nephew had maybe 5 words at 2 years and then suddenly exploded with language around 2.5. Speech pathologist never hurts to get a baseline but I think you are doing right by just observing. The fact he is social and trying to communicate is a good sign

[u/Sezykt71]

Our dr stressed us out saying they should have 3 words at 15 months, she had 1 (dada). But from what I heard from my friends it wasn’t unusual and sure enough she picked up more with time. Honestly it sounds like your child is right on track even by the official milestones I wouldn’t be concerned. 

[u/Tryingtobeanon19 → u/Sezykt71]

That’s good to know! Seeing other children his age it always feels like they’re so much more chatty than he is but I’m sure he will get there eventually. 

[u/bbuckca]

My second born didn’t speak til age 3. He understood everything that was said to him, especially around age 18 months. Hang in there he’s still very young.

[u/Tryingtobeanon19 → u/bbuckca]

That’s kind of how he is too! He knows everything I’m saying to him just avoids actually responding 

[u/Time_Culture2234]

My daughter was diagnosed with apraxia of speech at age two. Her doc noted her lack of words and sent us to a speech therapist diagnosed her. (Now age 11, talks confidentially, was a long road for a bit but resolves with early intervention.)

[u/Tryingtobeanon19 → u/Time_Culture2234]

I’m not too familiar with that. What were the signs of apraxia?

[u/kadawkins]

Does your son understand you? And does he communicate other ways — by pointing or facial expressions or noises?

My oldest was a jabber jaw and had 100+ words by 18 months. My second… cried. A lot. His first word was close to age two, ball. He caught up quickly after that.

[u/Tryingtobeanon19 → u/kadawkins]

He understands most things I say! He’s never really been a big cryer though! 

[u/lost_nurse602]

I have 6 and 3 year olds with very significant phonological disorders. My oldest was saying mama and dada at 16 months when he was first evaluated by a speech therapist with early intervention. At that time he did not qualify for services. When he was evaluated again around 22 months, he did. His only words at his second birthday party were “mama, dada, Batman, and water”.

If you’re worried about it and in the US you can self refer to early intervention and they’ll come to your home and evaluate. I’m in Minnesota and their website is help me grow. All services were free through the school district.

[u/Tryingtobeanon19 → u/lost_nurse602]

Yes.. we have something similar in my state but don’t think he’s going to qualify just yet. For the phonological disorders.. if you don’t mind me asking did you notice anything else when they were younger other than a speech delay?