Getting concerned

My dd will speak a few words: mama, dada,baba, gaga etc and is trying to walk. My ds will hardly speak at all. On very rare occassions he says ma and I have heard him say ba at times but that it's and it's very sporatic. I'm feeling very nervous about this. I saw on Oprah the autism show about them not speaking by 12 months and it a huge sign of autism and I am freaked out they are 10 months old. They will respond to their names but when asked to bring a toy or when I ask them where dada is they don't even respond or think to look. They both do this. Are they ok? Are they behind? What do I do?
Thanks

 

In all honesty, nobody can really answer this question for you except for maybe your ped. I really understand your anxiety, though, believe me. I think any of us who saw that show or who have just been reading about Autism in the news lately cannot help but be nervous and I think we tend to "look" for signs, even if things are really just a-okay.

In my layperson opinion, though, it sounds like your babies are doing great for their age. I know of several friends whose babies were doing similar speech-wise as yours are now and things were just fine. I also have 4 friends whose babies didn't say hardly a word until they hit their 2nd birthday, and then presto, it was like a floodgate opened up or something and now these kids cannot stop talking.

I think if you are really concerned I would call your ped. for reassurance and advice. :hug99:

 

Do they mean not speaking as in not saying words, or not saying any sounds? Most children don't really start talking, as in saying consistent, somewhat coherent words until 18 months. My girls made sounds at 12 months, but I really can't say they were "speaking". They said things like mama, dada, gaga, etc, but did not call me Mama, or DH dada, they were just saying the sound. They said 3-5 words until 18 months, and then were saying over 50 words each. They talk up a storm now. Really, try not to worry about it.
I can't really think of when they started following directions, I think closer to 12 months they knew what stop or no meant, responded to their names, would look in the direction or point if you said "Where is...".

Found this article on speech development. Has a lot of info on milestones and age ranges: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/...r/not_talk.html

 

Are you sure they said 12 months, and not 18? At 10 months, I SO would not even be worried about it. My 9 month old is just now starting to broaden his "vocabulary." I was reading my first year book last night and it mentioned only being able to say a few syllables at this age.

Personally, I wouldn't trust Oprah to help me find my way out of a paper bag, especially since I have three friends that have children with Autism. I think both of your babies are doing just fine and are right on track. I honestly wouldn't worry until they hit 18 months, but you can always ask your ped if you're concerned.

 

My babies have just turned 9 months. Lila has been babbling (bababa, mamama, dadada, etc) for at least a month, maybe more, & Luke just started this week, I was getting worried about him. Funny thing is when they were very small Luke was the first to start making sounds & I was really worried about Lila. Now you can't shut her up & Luke is the quieter one. Next week that could change again! Following directions doesn't come for a while yet, if memory serves me correctly. It sounds like your babies are doing just fine, try not to worry & talk to your doctor if it will make you feel better.

 

Every child is different and I think the Oprah 12 month rule is awfully young. My son didn't really speak much at all until he was 2 and many of the other children in his playgroup didn't speak until after 18 months, too (especially the boys). My pedi wasn't concerned and told me that it's normal for boys to be late talkers. He communicated in other ways with us, just not words, and his hearing was fine. She said if he wasn't speaking by age 2.5 we could have him checked out. Lo and behold, just after that appointment, he started talking a blue streak and in full sentences. I wouldn't worry about it just yet but you can always run it by your pedi if you're concerned. There are other signs of autism besides just speech delay, too.

 

I've decided that rule #1 is never to worry about autism just because you see something on Oprah or read something in a newspaper. There are a lot of "warning signs" of autism, but any one of them is usually not cause for worry by itself.

My DDs were saying very, very little at 12 months (i.e., no "real" words), but the ped said not to worry because they were both babbling and seemed engaged with us. He said if they had no words at 18 months, we could have them evaluated, though it would be more for a speech delay than for autism. Sure enough, Amy started talking at 15 months and Sarah is picking up speed now (19 months).

 

My girls didn't speak until about 16 months old but they babbled all the time before that. What they were saying just didn't consistently mean anything. While there are some kids who are talking by 12 months the range of "normal" is all the way to 18 months old. As long as they can understand some basic direction after a year old then there's nothing to worry about. At 10 months, it sounds like they're doing great and I definitely wouldn't be expecting more. I bet that Oprah show scared a lot of people if they were giving advice like that.

 

Thanks for the reassurance. Yes they babble. DD seems to be more vocal than ds but he is always smiling and she screeches alot and is just louder in general. I know I shouldn't worry about things and you all have made me feel better. I did bring it up with the pedi at their 9 month appt and she told me they like for them to say atleast one word by 12 months dd is fine and already there I am hoping ds will pick up. Like I said he has said mama but usually only when he was mad and crying they don't say it consitently or to the right person so...I think they are pretty on target with most things though.
Thanks again.

 

As long as they are babbling, I think you are okay. My girls had a few words before a year (mama, dada, uh oh, ball) but their vocab has recently exploded and they have about 30 words each now. But that happened within the last 4-6 weeks.

 

Way to early to worry yet. Plus twins are usually behind in language because a singleton gets a lot more one on one eye contact whereas twins generally get spoken 'in the general direction' of the two of them. Don't worry. Mine are 11 months and say giberish still although I repeat banana over and over and they just aren't getting it. It is no big deal. Too early yet.

 

According to the scale my ped is using they should know 4 words by age 15 months, 10 by 18 months, 50 by 2 years ... Between 18 months and 2 years things went crazy at my home and the difference between 2 and 3 years is major too. Boys are often a little slower anyway.

 

I wouldnt worry about it at all. At 10 months my 2 were still only screeching!! Even now all they really say is dada, tata, ta, yes and what that lol. x

 

Right now what they are doing is normal. I have an autistic child so I totally understand your concern. It is really hard not to worry - but try not to. PM me anytime if you have any questions.

Angel

 

Mine are the same age as yours, and are doing the same things They both say mamamam or dadadada, but don't really relate it to me or my husband... (as much as we pretend it does). They babble a bit too.
Mine will stop what they are doing and look at me when I say their names and NO... but it doesn't mean they'll obey usually they don't!!

I really wouldn't worry. I have also heard that twins take longer than singletons to talk... so that is one milestone I'm pushing back a bit

Jenn

 

Update: The day before yesterday I went to get Lucas up and he is saying mam/mom and now he says it all the time plain as can be. Isn't it funny you start to freak out, voice your concerns to someone and then bam prove you to be a liar it's that way at the dr office to. Take them in for being sick and they are happy as can be acting fine.
Anyway thanks for all the responses I feel better knowing what you all said and him finally saying something

 

My 10 year old never babbled - never said anything until he was 2 NOT mama ,dada I mean NOTHING until 2.
we had him in speech therapy and everything and he did not utter a word until 3 months after his 2nd birthday.
today he is my smartest, most responsible child (who has not shut up since that day 8 years ago).

My 13 year old on the other hand - said dada at 4 months and has a mild form of autism -

I would not worry - some kids just do things at different times and as far as the autism thing goes - I think you have to look at the big picture not just one thing like speech