As a speech therapist, I fully believe in early intervention. Liam can be evaluated in your home through one of the Early intervention agencies or at a private clinic. Here is a link for more information on Early intervention services. ( http://eic.crc.uiuc.edu/services.html). I always tell parents it never hurts to have your child evaluated. It will give you more information about their strengths and weaknesses. If your child does not qualify for speech services, they may give you more ideas about stimulating his language growth. Language has a wide range for normal development, however, at 20 months Liam should be saying more words. It sounds like you are doing everything right, providing the language stimulus at every opportunity and encouraging simple sounds, such as "m, b, p". Liam sounds like a very bright little boy whose development in other areas is right on track.

I have a son with autism. When I first saw the headline for this article, I thought oh, no but upon reading your article I see that your situation is much different than mine. The lack of speech was one of the first indicators that something was not right in our case. The fact that Liam understands what you tell him is huge. My son did not. But you are fortunate to have a pediatrician that encourages you to get speech therapy. Early intervention is huge!!!! My pediatrician kept telling me not to worry, he was just a late talker. I wasted precious time wanting to believe he was right. And even though I kept pushing for more tests, I didn't start him in speech therapy until well after 2 years old basically because I didn't know that it was available. I seriously regret not getting him in earlier and studies show how much early intervention can really make a difference. Even though you are not dealing with the same issues that we were, Liam can definitely benefit from speech therapy. Contact Easter Seals or the agency of your choice and they can get you started. They will help you get services through age 3, and after age 3 services will be provided by your school district if necessary. I am so happy that he comprehends what you tell him, because again, that is huge! Good luck to you and your family.

My son didn't start saying real words until 2.5 years old or put sentences together until 3 years old. He is now 4 and talks more and clearer than most kids we've met his age. If your son is doing fine with other milestones and this is your only concern, I'd give it time. He'll come around when he is ready. You shouldn't let others tell you when that should be.

I'm just an ordinary mom, but my oldest did this too. He never talked. He said his first word at about Liam's age and then nothing of substance until he was about three. Even then, when he spoke, we understood him, but watching him back on video, my husband and I have no idea what he is saying. He is nine now. He speaks fine. You're the mom. Follow your instinct. I took Joey for a hearing test back then, but when I knew his hearing was okay, I held off. I knew that he was spoiled and never needed to ask for anything - especially when he was with his grandmother - which was often at that age. It was a Montessori teacher way back then who said, "we know he hears us. He's absorbing everything that is going on around him. He's learning. He'll talk in his own time." He did.

Hi Erin, I have a son who is 24 now, but he didn't talk until 3 1/2 yrs old. I was worried as well. Went to family md , then ear specialist & speech therapist. He also did sign language. When he wanted a sandwich , he would put two hands together & act like he was eating a sandwich. Everything checked out ok & they said he would talk when he was ready. Voila one day he did start talking. I guess he was a little sponge absorbing it all til he was ready. He hasn't stopped since lol For your peace of mind , have him checked out.

Hi Erin,
I just wanted to let you know of the experience my sister had. Her son (my nephew) wasn't talking by age 3, although he was definitely making an effort to talk. He would get highly frustrated (as would his parents) by his unsuccessful efforts to communicate. When the speech therapist who was working with his younger sister (who was getting early intervention therapy due to her Down Syndrome) happened to be at the house for little sister, she noticed his unsuccessful efforts. Long story short, it turned out he had aphasia - his brain and mouth weren't communicating. Speech therapy made all the difference, both in his communication skills, and in reducing the stress and frustration within their family. My nephew was over a year older than your son, but just wanted to let you know of another possibility. All the best in determining what route to take.

My oldest daughter said one or two words. I wasn't too concerned because I knew she could hear. At 2, the voices came out of the woodworks. She was non-stop. My younger daughter if I remember correctly spoke more a bit earlier, which is usually the opposite because the younger child usually doesn't have to say a word because everyone else is doing the talking.
Now both sometimes tend to non-stop talk; as in when they are getting in trouble. They are 10 and 12. But that's another story.

That last part was a little unnecessary, mom.