If your baby is not responding to sounds, or is not vocalizing at all, they should be examined by a professional. Aside from the list below if your instincts tell you that something is wrong, than you should consult with a professional, if nothing more than to put your concerns at rest.
Between 12 and 24 months
– Is not using simple gestures like pointing or waving bye-bye
– Prefers to use gestures (not necessarily signs) to vocalizations
– Has difficulty copying sounds
– Doesn’t follow simple verbal commands such as “Come to Momma”
– Doesn’t say any words clearly at 18 months
– Does not combine words such as “More juice”
Between 24 and 36 months
– Does not produce words or phrases independently, only copies others
– Repeats certain sounds and words and doesn’t use language to communicate more than immediate needs
– Can’t not follow simple instructions
– Caregivers can’t understand more than fifty percent of child’s speech
– Child has an unusual or raspy tone
– Does not ask questions or respond to them with “yes” or “no”
– Speech is mostly incomprehensible by strangers