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Expert Q & A

Top : Speech and Language Issues : My 20-month-old son isn't talking yet, not even "ma ma" or "da da." At what point do I have him evaluated?

by Mindy Hudon
Speech-Language Pathologist 		Mindy Hudon

Question:


My 20-month-old son isn't talking yet, not even "ma ma" or "da da." At what point do I have him evaluated?



Answer:


Children can develop the use of their first words at different ages. In general, a child's first words can be heard around 12 to 18 months of age. Developmental milestones provide an approximate age for skills to be developed, but every child may not master these milestones at the same time. Some children can use up to 45 words by 18 months of age and may understand up to 200 words.

At 20 months, you would expect to hear some words or word approximations. Your older son may be doing the talking for your younger son; however, you should also see your younger son attempting to verbalize. I would suggest that you contact your pediatrician and discuss your concerns. First, a hearing evaluation by a certified audiologist should be conducted to rule out a hearing loss. Second, have your child evaluated by a certified speech and language pathologist. A complete speech and language evaluation will determine if your son has delayed skills and will be able to recommend intervention as warranted. The evaluation is easy and fun for your child and can be conducted even at his young age. The results of the evaluation will answer all your questions and concerns.

Mindy Hudon, M.S., CCC/SLP

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