Fourteen Month Old Speech Problems
Dear Dr. Susan:
My son is 14 months old. He only says daddy and sometimes only mommy. He sucks his thumb. I just want to know if I should send him to a doctor or if he is having problems with speech or is he slower than normal. I just need something. Please help.
Sharon
Dear Sharon
Thank you so much for writing. Your child is doing fine. Many children use only one or two words until they are 15-18 months old; the best thing to remember is to read to your child every day, and tell stories and sing songs and play games that require your toddler to “chat” and talk to you.
Expand his words!! For example, when he says “daddy” you say “daddy goes out, doesn’t he?” Make sentences out of his single words. I’ll bet he says “huh-oh,” or “Da” which might mean “that.” I’ll bet he points a lot. When he points at an object, say the name for him and encourage him to point and talk at the same time.
Have fun,
Susan H. Turben, Ph.D.
