How Much Should a 2 Yr Old Be Saying?

Updated on July 25, 2010
H.D. asks from Keller, TX
11 answers

My son is barely 2 (almost 25 months) and I am worried he is behind in speech. He does talk and says quite a bit of words but he doesn't form the whole word nor is he trying to talk in sentences yet. Few people can understand him. I asked his preschool teachers and one said he was fine and the other said he was a little behind. He is my first and the only other 2 yr old boys I know are talking so much better. One is a week younger than him and the other is 3 mo older than him. Am I overanalyzing it or should I do something about it? What do you think?

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T.D.

answers from Dallas on

My youngest didn't start talking til he was 27 months...now I'd pay for that (just kidding!)..he's a perfectionist and will attempt to say things multiple times til it sounds right to him - very smart little guy and always understood what we were saying...his ped wanted him to get his hearing tested but his brother (now 20) had hearing probs and I know what that's like! Don't worry too much 0 see what happens! Everyone is different..does he understand what you say?

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J.N.

answers from Davenport on

well my name is J. i have 2 children i have a son that will be 2 in oct and my daughter is almost 3 months but i can relate to what you are saying my 2 year old son ( Elijah) is not talking he says some things but is very behind i had been concerned like you are and wanted him evaluated i had talked to the wic lady and she sent our info to a lady they contacted me and came and evaluated him she had said he is very delayed and said that they will be getting him in school for 2 yr olds that work with young children like our 2 kids to help them talk if you need to talk more my email add. is ____@____.com

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G.A.

answers from Tyler on

I am sure he is perfectly "normal". I am a first time mom to a 2 yr old also, and it is hard not to compare their development to others. All children develop differently, and how boring it would be if they didn't!!! I have a friend who has a 3 yr old that isn't speaking that well, and I have a friend with an almost 2 yr old that is talking in full sentences. My son is somewhere in between. Don't worry, he will be chatting up a storm in no time!!!

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S.

answers from Dallas on

Hi H.,

Tucker is very fotunate to have such a concerned mother. I invite you to visit my web site, www.startherapyprograms.com, and click on the milestones page. The information is from ASHA, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. It should offer you a more clear idea of what a child typically does at certain ages.

Although I do not know anyone personally in the Keller, area to whom I could refer you -- you might want to call early intervention services. Another option, if you are interested in a private speech-language pathologist, would be to visit the ASHA web site (www.asha.org). There is a locator page, into which you could put in your zip code and receive a list of certified SLPs in your area.

Good Luck -- let me know if you should have any questions.
S.

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C.W.

answers from Dallas on

If you are concerned, I would call and request for an evaluation with ECI- Early Childhood Intervention. They will come to your house and do a free evaluation on your child. They will assess him and see if he needs services. This way you can feel comfortable in knowing that you got it checked out. Your Dr. is a good reference too. They offer speech therapy, physical therapy, Occupational Therapy, sensory issues, diet and nutrition counseling. They are great, we are currently using them for our foster child who is developmentally delayed.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

This may or may not be normal. I urge you to get him evaluated by an specialist. The school district is mandated by law to provide evaluation and treatment for any condition that will hinder a child in school. Their services are free. Call your local school district office for a phone number to Early Childhood Intervention office or ask your pediatrician for their number.

If you have insurance to cover a visit to a developmental pediatrician, I would also get an appointment there. If your son has a speech delay, it's absolutely important to get him help as soon as possible.

My grandson is now 7 and is still unable to speak clearly. He has used complete sentences for the past year or so which is really late too. He's been diagnosed with apraxia of speech which means he's unable to use his mouth and lips correctly to form sounds. His mother didn't have him evaluated until he was 2 1/2. Turns out that for his particular situation, earlier diagnosis and treatment may have helped.

My grandson has serious emotional issues with which to contend also. We just recently learned about the developmental pediatrician. He's had insurance to cover his evaluation with her but his mother was unaware that he needed additional help. His age is an added difficulty in getting him able to be successful in life as well as in school. He is remaining in Special Ed for second grade although he's intelligent.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by having him evaluated. You will be reassured if he's just a late talker. If he has a physical cause for his delayed speech you will be as early as you could be getting him the treatment that he needs.

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

Early intervention with speech delay is key to preventing on speech problems down the road. Coming from a mother of a speech delayed son, I'm glad we intervened early and he has been in speech therapy. I'm now educated to the realities of what having speech delays can mean for a child. It's frustrating when others don't understand what my son is saying -- it's frustrating for him. Therapy is easy, painless and works wonders.

Ask your pediatrician's office how you can get a speech assessment done (free) from Early Childhood Intervention. It doesn't hurt to get the free assessment to see where your son stands in comparison to his peers. And ECI therapy is very affordable.
And depending on your medical insurance, sometimes you can get insurance to pay for the therapy.

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S.C.

answers from Dallas on

don't worry too much. Each child is different. My daughter will be 2 next friday and she only says words...sometimes she puts two words together. There are times when she says something and i just can't understand...My husband and i feel so bad...y advice to you is just enjoy right now as when they will start speaking u will want them to zip it and that ain't going to happen. i hope this helps.

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P.B.

answers from Tyler on

If you are worried, you can always have an expert evaluate Tucker. You can contact your local Early Childhood Intervention (ECI). They usually do a FREE speech evaluation. They can tell you for sure if there is anything that needs attention. I always tell people that it is better to rule it out early then to let anything go untreated.
Not that I think your son has any major problems, but my son was delayed due to a developmental issue that was later diagnosed as mild autism (Asperger's Syndrome). I am glad I called ECI when Logan was 19 months. They are there to help. :o)

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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

there is a WIDE range of "normal". if you're concerned, ask your pedi for a referral for a speech evaluation, but based on what you're describing, he sounds totally normal.

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A.F.

answers from Wichita Falls on

When my son had his 18 month check-up, his pediatrician referred him for early intervention because we were both concerned with how little he was talking (saying less than 50 words at the time.) He is 2 and 1/2 now, and has been in speech therapy for almost a year. He is definitely saying more words, and just starting to put together phrases. (We are still trying to discourage him from pointing and grunting though.) All in all, he is fine, and he'll be talking up a storm in no time!
You should definitely talk to your son's doctor about his speech, so if there are any problems, they can be dealt with as soon as possible.
But don't worry too much, speech delays are easy to correct, especially at this age.

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