[roselee]

Also agree with the possibility of chronic ear infections. My brother was a late talker and "low and behold" he had chronic ear infections. I have seen that a lot while working in schools with kids receiving speech therapy. Perhaps you have already looked into that??

Another poster said that the range of normal is SOO wide, especially for boys who don't really care as much as girls about being verbal (generalization). My undergrad was speech and hearing sciences so I was very narrowed on what the "norm" was...so, when my child was a late talker, I completely freaked...yes, I was right in that he had an expressive language delay and he now has a slight articulation problem.
But really, he may have been just fine without it. I still believe its better to get services when you can because it can't hurt.

I will never forget an when an older-wise grandma type woman (8 children - many more grandchildren) told me that I am a complete stressor. She told me to forget my degrees and let my kid be himself and have fun...that was actually good advice for me. Doesn't mean I completely didn't stress but looking back, I didn't have to get a few gray hairs over it.