Would you request early intervention or wait?

Question

My son is 16 months in a week and still only says mamamam. Everything is mamamama. He mouths a lot, it looks like he wants to say other sounds but literally only makes the mm sounds. He seems to understand a lot and just recently started pointing which has helped a bit but obviously I’m concerned as his younger cousin (14 months) is saying a lot of words and gestures. His doctor said to wait til 18 months when we went to his 15 month appointment but I see other kids his age in speech therapy already? Should I call and see if I can just get him in if he needs it?

Answer

I would get on the wait list. Many programs have long wait lists it’s doesn’t hurt to start early. The earlier the better :)

Answer

We started speech therapy for my daughter around 14 months! Personally I think I jumped the gun because now at 17 months she’s talking a lot, or the speech therapy is working, who knows but it won’t hurt! I think it’s fun even just to get tips and tricks on how to help your baby talk

Answer

There’s no harm in starting speech therapy, we started when my son was 1 and he’s now 3. He’s still not talking! Trust your mama instinct

Answer

There’s no harm in starting early or at least exploring what is available. Follow your instincts.

Answer

If you’re concerned, it can’t hurt to request an early intervention evaluation. Idk where you are but in my county the application asks if it’s a school, doctor, or parent who is concerned.

Answer

I would bring it up at your 18 month well child check.

Answer

I didn't reach out about speech therapy for my son until in Pre-k, when it became more of a concern with the teacher. I say the sooner the better otherwise you will regret the wait. He is in 2nd grade and still gets speech therapy but he does very well.

Answer

I’d wait personally because I know every child does things differently and is unique HOWEVER I am a huge supporter/advocate for trusting your instincts as a mother. If you feel you should, then do it!

Answer

My son started around 14 months as he hadn't said a real word at his 12 month appointment. He eventually said his first word at 14 months and graduated the early intervention program at 19 months and is now saying a lot more and speaking much more clearly than other kids his age. Maybe the program helped, maybe he was just naturally going to have a slow start before taking off. There's no way to know but I definitely don't regret getting help right away as then I didn't have to worry that I should be doing more. Yours might be just fine, but if you're worrying about it, it won't hurt to start.

Would you request early intervention or wait?

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