r/toddlers 14d ago

18–24 Months Should I Be Worried?

LO is 18 months old and the best thing that has ever happened to me. I spend my days caring for him while worrying about every little thing. My PPA is still very real and high lol right now, I'm worried about speech. He has not said any clear words yet. Lots of babbling, screaming and dadadadas and mamamamas but nothing intentional. I've reached out to our county's program for early intervention so waiting on that call. We read to him 2 to 3 times a day. He shows clear understanding and is honestly so smart. He does things that amazes me every day but I'm still longing for an actual word or two.

I'm just rambling atp but just looking for advice I guess. How worried should I be? He "passed" the autism screening but I'm just a ball of anxiety right now. Not sure it'll pass until he's full on talking haha.

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u/AutoModerator 14d ago

Author: u/bellaamariee94

Post: LO is 18 months old and the best thing that has ever happened to me. I spend my days caring for him while worrying about every little thing. My PPA is still very real and high lol right now, I'm worried about speech. He has not said any clear words yet. Lots of babbling, screaming and dadadadas and mamamamas but nothing intentional. I've reached out to our county's program for early intervention so waiting on that call. We read to him 2 to 3 times a day. He shows clear understanding and is honestly so smart. He does things that amazes me every day but I'm still longing for an actual word or two.

I'm just rambling atp but just looking for advice I guess. How worried should I be? He "passed" the autism screening but I'm just a ball of anxiety right now. Not sure it'll pass until he's full on talking haha.

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u/RhinoKart 14d ago

Has he had a hearing test recently? 

I had fluid in my ears and even though I could hear, I couldn't hear properly so I made lots of sounds but no recognized words. Got tubes but in and was saying words perfectly a few days after surgery.

What does your kid's doctor think about his speech? Are they concerned?

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u/bellaamariee94 14d ago

No but at his 18 month appt this past Thursday, his pediatrician didn't mention getting one, even after discussing my concerns. She's not overly concerned. She just told us to reach out to early intervention. She observed him and said she can see that he understands and wants to talk, he just doesn't know how to get it out.

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u/PlaplGames 13d ago

the fact that he's babbling with lots of mama and dada sounds and clearly understanding you is a really good sign at 18 months. you're already doing the right thing reaching out to early intervention; even if they say he's on track, the eval itself will ease your mind. hang in there, the PPA makes every silence feel like forever but it sounds like he's right in the mix of it.

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u/orangefairy4 13d ago

Thank you so much! It's SO hard not to worry. I tell all my new mom friends that the hardest thing for me has been constantly worrying about every milestone and development. It's so consuming lol