Experience with speech therapy

Hey ladies! My son is 16 months old and doesn’t talk. He has said mama, dada, mami (mamaw), bye bye, yeah, sky, land a few others but he’s stopped now. Over the last 1.5 months it’s rare to hear his say any words. He knows what things are if we ask but mostly just says “guh” for everything. No jargon or anything.

At his 15 month check his pediatrician didn’t seem too concerned saying that she has noticed her patients that are boys typically start talking later and it will happen almost over night. Of course I’m still worrying myself to death. We read to him and basically narrate our whole day so he’s constantly heading different words. We tried baby sign but he only does it sometimes.

So back to the point, his pediatrician did say at his next check up (18 months) if he’s still not talking we can start speech therapy if I want. Typically she will wait until 2 years old after all the developmental testing. I feel like I would rather start early so he doesn’t get further behind. So, my question is this..has anyone had experience with speech therapy for their little one(s)? What types of exercises can we do at home to try and encourage him to talk? Just an overly concerned, over thinking mama looking for advice 😊