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What Causes Delayed Speech In A 14 Month Old?

Posted on Sat, 20 Dec 2014

Question: I am concerned about my 14 month old. I am a working mother who has my baby with a sitter most of the day and the sitter just turns on the TV and let's him watch it. She has done this since for months. I didn't know until I researched it on the Internet that tv was bad for children under 2. My pediatrician never told me. My son walks and bables but he can't yet communicate with me. Like when I ask him to bring me a toy he has no idea what I am saying. He doesn't say mama or baba which is what his dad wants him to call him. He is learning 2 languages though but yet he doesn't say one word. He is very active though. Should I be concerned? I am very worried.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Mild language delay

Detailed Answer:
Hi...

If a 14 month old doesn't say mama baba, it is a definite sign of language delay.

There could be many reasons for it...but I have few questions -
1. Is there any family history of language delay?
2. Is his hearing normal?
3. How many hours per day he sees TV?
4. What was his birth weight and current weight?
5. Is there any history of meningitis or other injury to the brain?

Kindly get back.

Regards Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (26 minutes later)

I don't think there is a history of language delay but I am not sure, as far as I know his hearing is normal, as far as hours he watches TV, she has the TV going all day on seseme street. When I asked her directly she said he watches for a while and then plays with his toys, back and forth. So I would say all day long, which I am putting a stop too. I just hope its not too late. Birth weight was 6 pounds and eleven ounces he weighs approximately 22 to 25 pounds now. No menengitis or other health issues except for anemia. Do you think this TV has damaged him permanantly or can it be fixed. I am just in tears.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
NO PERMANENT DAMAGE - PLEASE DO NOT WORRY

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Please rest assured. No permanent damage has occurred. This is perfectly amenable. Nothing to worry.

Issue with TV - the kids who watch TV consistently at this age have very good comprehension - that is - they understand the situations around them very well, as the TV scenarios and the dialogues match and they tend to understand the language soon. But the problem with TV is that it is not interactive in real time, which means, the kid doesn't get the idea that he or she should interact with the surroundings or people. This is the reason why TV or laptop or Tablet are not recommended for longer periods of time at home with kids of this age.

Suggestions:
1. I suggest it will be great if you can start with singing rhymes to him.
2. Do not use tablet or computer or TV or laptop for doing that.
3. Do not force him too much comparing him with others.
4. He will get benefited by speech therapy.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health and bright future.

If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link. Please find the link below -
www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (28 minutes later)

Thank you so much. You have eased my mind a bit. I have one question though. I read out loud to him but he is a very active child. He will not sit and listen so I have just been reading while he babbles and plays with his toys. Is this beneficial at all? He is so distracted I don't think he is listening to a word I say.
Sorry, one last question, How does speech therapy work. How does the speech therapist teach him to speak and where can I find one.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possible Hyperactivity issues and Speech Therapy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi...by what you quote that he doesn't sit at one place is ringing bells that he might have an evolving hyperactivity issue as well. But is it too early to diagnose it in a 14 month old.

Hyperactivity is a disorder of the mental makeup of the kid and not a physical deformity of the brain. Some kids may respond to iron simply and some kids my need other medications like Atomoxetine. Usually hyperactive kids have very good IQ and if their energy can be diverted to a vocational training or any art or sport they like they will do wonders.

Even if he is running around while you are reading, mother's voice can do wonders to the kid. It will work.

Speech therapist teaches you how to deal with such kid and he will evolve gradually into normal speech.

You need to contact your kids paediatrician to seek local speech therapist or the health care system there.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (22 minutes later)

Thank you so much for your help. I will call my pediatrician. Is hyperactivity something I should be worried about? At what age is it diagnosed?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on hyperactivity

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Coming to your queries -

1. You need not worry about hyperactivity now without even proper evaluation.

2. ADHD can be diagnosed in children as young as 4, according to the XXXXXXX Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

I wish your kid a bright future. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link. Please find the link below.

www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (17 minutes later)

How do I rate you? The rating scale disappeared from my dashboard.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
If you are happy with my intraction - kindly rate it

Detailed Answer:
Hi..I don't know to rate as I am on the doctors side of the website. But some icon should be there to rate my interactions. You can search in the same website and see my ratings internationally. They are the ones which keeps motivating me to do more good to my patients and society.

I am happy that you are happy with my interactions.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar