I am a mother of two kids. My first child is a boy and the second is a girl. My son is a year and 9months while his sister is just a month old. Presently my boy hasn't started
talking and even when he mentions a word, hardly ever repeats it again. I noticed his lapses at a year and 3months, when a friends daughter who was born on the same day started saying some words yet my boy was yet to mention any. I reported to his paediatrician who told me that it wasn't right to compare kids especially when they are raised in different homes and are of different parents. At a point I began to feel it was due to the fact that it was just the two of us at home always since his dad is usually off shore and I had no help or someone else staying with me till last month when a relative moved in with us. Another factor I attributed to this was that he had never been to a school and had no avenue to socialise with other kids. I stopped working last year as a result of which there was no need for my boy to go to creche. My son is someone who doesn't like responding to instructions and doesn't say much. Sometimes he says a word and wouldn't mention it again till the next 3 months or more. Inspite of all this he's such a sharp kid and could be such a smart ass at times such that I wave off my fears concerning him. Recently in august to be precise, i decided to pay a visit to the doctor. He gave us an appointment and on the said day he tested my son. The boy responded perfectly well to all the instructions given. It was as if he knew he was going to be assessed and decided to perform well. The doctor turned to me and said that the boy was ok just that I seem to see problems that don't exist. The doctor confirmed him alright and said he'll talk at the right time. I felt stupid though happy at the doctors result. Recently, i observed that he responds to instructions only when you speak with a stern voice or else he'll ignore u completely. I'm really worried that my first child is displaying signs of slow development even though my mum and hussy seem to see nothing wrong with him rather think I'm getting unnecessarily worked up.

I assume that you went to a competent doctor. Hence, I will encourage you to relax. You can try to "accelerate" his "development" by playing videos for toddlers that have catchy songs that any child would want to repeat. Don't worry too much is what I am trying to say. If it will make you feel better, I know a child that is about to hit two that doesn't say too many words too.

You can also check with one or 2 doctors or a paediatrician to put your mind at rest.
How ever if all is well with him you will have to put more effort in his training

As a mother, ur worry is right, but i think its because he is d 1st born and he is not having enough pple to interact with around him, i also experienced d same thing with my 1st son, but wit time, he will adjust, but i will advise dt u enroll him in school on time, so dt he will have enough pple to relate with.
Goodluck.

Am Just Laughing seeing this. Mothers just love to worry. My child was exactly same way now i cant get him to shut up at less than 3. dont compare your child to any other cos every kid develops differently n girls develop faster than boys. what i did was order educational dvds that teach kids their first words and downloaded alot of word apps on my Ipad. u might also consider getting him in playgroups at sch even if just for a few hours as kids learn fast wen with other kids. will even gives u more time for your daughter n time to rest.u cant know for sure till he is like 3. also join babycenter.com so u can hear from other moms it really helped reassure me.now i have a talkative n soon i would too so enjoy this phase.cheers.

Of course different children talk at different ages and many children who did not talk on time pick it up almost all at once. However, I'm concerned that you say your child does not seem to respond to people talking to him. I would at the very least get him a hearing test. You can ask your doctor to send you to an audiologist. It is possible he is not hearing clearly and that is why he does not follow instructions unless you speak loudly. Hearing problems will of course lead to speech delay because you can only say words you have heard. If there is a problem, the earlier it is addressed, the better. If it's fine, then at least you have the reassurance.

I hope he communicates well in other ways, does he point at things to ask for them or show interest? Does he maintain eye contact and enjoy social/interactive play? Does he interact well with other kids? Does he play properly with toys, like driving a car, speaking on a telephone etc. If he does all these and his hearing is fine, I think you can be reassured a bit and just give him some more time. But it is good that you are being proactive.

Some tips you can use at home, read books to him everyday and talk him through everything. If he points to his cup for instance, as you hand it to him say 'cup', the same for other things.

sorry I have to make this quick my daughter is disturbing me - first off don't compare your son and next girls are supposed to develop faster than boys so i wouldn't be worrying about your friends daughter ( see me talking and I am going to the doctor tomorrow for almost the same issue)

I did not start saying much words before around 2-2,5years of age, and did not start talking before 3. My mum used to say "she shut up until she was 3 years old, now she wont close her mouth". Lol.

Don`t worry too much. My daughter also acct at times as if she don`t hear me, its what I call "selective hearing". She is just ignoring me, because she don`t have interest of what I have to say to her And kids are different, like some people said. As long as a doctor tell you he is doing fine, his hearing is fine, his tests are all fine..don`t worry.

feminine A: You can also check with one or 2 doctors or a paediatrician to put your mind at rest.
How ever if all is well with him you will have to put more effort in his training

This evening, we went to see a friend whose son while playing with him asked him to laugh to my surprise my son responded, "I don't want to laugh". I truly seem to be bothering myself over non-existent problems.

agoha_vivi:
This evening, we went to see a friend whose son while playing with him asked him to laugh to my surprise my son responded, "I don't want to laugh". I truly seem to be bothering myself over non-existent problems.

Lobatan!

Good for you

ileobatojo: Of course different children talk at different ages and many children who did not talk on time pick it up almost all at once. However, I'm concerned that you say your child does not seem to respond to people talking to him. I would at the very least get him a hearing test. You can ask your doctor to send you to an audiologist. It is possible he is not hearing clearly and that is why he does not follow instructions unless you speak loudly. Hearing problems will of course lead to speech delay because you can only say words you have heard. If there is a problem, the earlier it is addressed, the better. If it's fine, then at least you have the reassurance.

I hope he communicates well in other ways, does he point at things to ask for them or show interest? Does he maintain eye contact and enjoy social/interactive play? Does he interact well with other kids? Does he play properly with toys, like driving a car, speaking on a telephone etc. If he does all these and his hearing is fine, I think you can be reassured a bit and just give him some more time. But it is good that you are being proactive.

Some tips you can use at home, read books to him everyday and talk him through everything. If he points to his cup for instance, as you hand it to him say 'cup', the same for other things.

My boy does hold eye contact and socialise with other kids this actually waved off every fear of autism. He's also a TV addict and mimics phone conversations whenever he picks up a phone or remote control. His sense of hearing is perfectly ok. Whenever I call him to take juice, water or something he likes even when in another room, he runs towards me. This evening while at a friends place, her son who was playing with my boy asked him to laugh and to my greatest shock he responded, "I don't want to laugh" this boy is just full of surprises.

agoha_vivi: My boy does hold eye contact and socialise with other kids this actually waved off every fear of autism. He's also a TV addict and mimics phone conversations whenever he picks up a phone or remote control. His sense of hearing is perfectly ok. Whenever I call him to take juice, water or something he likes even when in another room, he runs towards me. This evening while at a friends place, her son who was playing with my boy asked him to laugh and to my greatest shock he responded, "I don't want to laugh" this boy is just full of surprises.

Lol. He has gone from saying nothing to speaking in full sentences. As a matter of fact, that level of speech is slightly advanced for a 21 month old. Good for you!

My previous post was mainly in response to this part of your original post

Recently, i observed that he responds to instructions only when you speak with a stern voice or else he'll ignore u completely.

I'm not sure why you were worrying about this though if he could hear you clearly even from another room.

[quote author=agoha_vivi] My boy does hold eye contact and socialise with other kids this actually waved off every fear of autism. He's also a TV addict and mimics phone conversations whenever he picks up a phone or remote control. His sense of hearing is perfectly ok. Whenever I call him to take juice, water or something he likes even when in another room, he runs towards me. This evening while at a friends place, her son who was playing with my boy asked him to laugh and to my greatest shock he responded, "I don't want to laugh" this boy is just full of surprises.
[/quote

I know I definitly underestimated kids before having one..they unnderstand so much, and pick up so much as well.
Maybe your son is just the more quiet type

^Your son seems to be in charge of your relationship. You have allowed it to be so with over-worrying. #Smiling.

It's good to worry sometimes. My second daughter didn't talk on time. I complained to d paediatrician, he said i worry too much. My husband said i also worry too much. I called my mother inlaw and she ask me to bring my daughter for her to examine. That was when we noticed that she cant raise her tongue properly. I cant remember d name they called it. So they just perform a minor surgery.. She talks perfectly well now.

^Good for you and your daughter.

My son started saying some words like water, mama, from six months. because i taught him. mothers should always talk to their child even when the a few months old. they always understand and pick from their mum first. that's part of mother's tongue. whenever you wanna give him anything, always mention that to his hearing. for example if you wanna give him water or cup, pronouns it to his hearing, water or cup several times, they hear and understands you well. my son is 1yr and 8months, he talks well and can read two letter words so many things. though he started school on time. another thing is gene. hope your lineage or his dad's own is sharp. Dull couples shouldn't expect their kids to be too sharp.

According to my mum, my older sister didnt speak till she was about 2 and it wasnt even clear. Me and my twin on the other hand, spoke much earlier reciting rhymes and alphabeth and stuff at age one and half. People assumed we would be the geniuses while big sis would be average at best. Fast-forward about 2 decades later, our elder sister gratuated with a GP few points shy of first class (in ife of all schools). Our results were also good but not as attractive as our egbon.
my son at 19 months has also not started saying much though he's very responsive and he obeys simple commands like 'go and sit down', 'go and give it to your daddy/mummy' etc. We've taken him to the hospital to have his tongue checked and we were told hes fine.
based on my experience, i've learnt not to liken early communication with intellectual ability which is more important on the long run. Just continue to nurture your children and help them bring out the best in themselves. May God see us through.

I know its not easy, I am the same way but just be patient. Besides girls are quicker at talking and boys at walking.

obasijoy: My son started saying some words like water, mama, from six months. because i taught him. mothers should always talk to their child even when the a few months old. they always understand and pick from their mum first. that's part of mother's tongue. whenever you wanna give him anything, always mention that to his hearing. for example if you wanna give him water or cup, pronouns it to his hearing, water or cup several times, they hear and understands you well. my son is 1yr and 8months, he talks well and can read two letter words so many things. though he started school on time. another thing is gene. hope your lineage or his dad's own is sharp. Dull couples shouldn't expect their kids to be too sharp.

one can only laugh - I thank God we don't have "dull" genes in my family - LMAO - nairaland will kill me with laughter one day