Hellobee Boards

Yes those count as words! The 'l' sound for example does not typically develop until a few years down the road so it's completely acceptable to use "bah" for "ball"! Anything that your child says over and over again to mean the same thing counts as a word. He could call a couch a "tout" and as long as he was consistent in that, it's part of the word count!
Don't be too much of a stickler yet for pronunciation as children master sounds at different ages. The p", "b" and "m" sounds tend to come first. However, every time he says a word, repeat it back the right way and add a couple words. This helps him not only to continuously hear words correctly but also to expand his language. For example, LO says "ball", you say back "yes ball. Red ball. That's a red ball." To help further with language, give him "communication temptations" which are little ways to help to make him talk. Put his snack in a container he can't open. When you give it to him and he looks at you for help, bend down to eye level and say "open". Exaggerate your oral movements so he can see you forming the "o". If he makes any sort of an attempt, open and give the snack! If he doesn't, give him the snack anyways and try again next snack. Other examples, put his socks on his hands, give him a fork instead of spoon, anything that really encourages him to say something. Most importantly, always talk about what you're doing when around him" Washing dishes. Mommy is washing dishes. Wash, wash, wash." Fill the house with language to help encourage it. I don't know much about transitioning from sign to oral, but sounds like you're doing a great job!

Totally counts!

@MrsMccarthy: yes I'm a speech therapist and I'm loving this new board! I hope you were able to understand what I wrote above. It was 3am and I was typing one handed while nursing

@delight: so helpful to read your tips!

@MrsMccarthy: I would count those all as words, too especially if he uses the same part of the word each time he refers to something.

@MrsMccarthy: sorry so delayed, I was at cottage!

I wouldn't be too concerned with his sounds at 16 months. Just encourage him to speak as much as possible! At this age, they don't have a huge sound inventory so it is typical to use the same sounds for different words. He can do an "m" though, as you said he says "mama" so keep trying for "milk" even if he will just say something like "meh" for it. It might be a good idea to just focus on that particular word for a few days! Keep practicing the "m" sound with him. Always get down to eye level, exaggerate your mouth movements and just keep repeating "mmmmmm" over and over. It's a good idea to concentrate on one or two words a week, words that he would use frequently like "milk" or "bye". Words with P, B and M are great to practice at that age.

@mediagirl: @Bao: @Periwinkle: thanks! Love to help out!

@delight: I am saving this thread for these great tips. Thank you.