My 27-Month Old Son Isn't Talking.

I dont think its anything to be concerned about kids talk at diffant rates just like everything els, but if you are concerned about it you could have his hearing tested. My sisters son didnt start talking till he was almost 3 and it was just cause he got everything with out having to talk and as soon as he started to talk it was just words it was full sentences.

Found babycenter.com will help with what you need to know

EACH CHILD IT UNIQUE IN THEIR OWN WAY

THANK YOU

My son is speech delayed and we had him tested just before he was two. He wasn't saying any words except mamma and dada. I don't see any reason not to look into it. It's better to know about it earlier than later. Go on the web and look up ear;y intervention in AZ. They offer free testing and if he qualifies, he would receive free speech theraphy. My son did the therapy for a year and loved it. Now he is in preschool for children with delays, ALL FREE! It is awesome. He is learning so much at school and speech is really taking off. Feel free to get in touch with me if you would like some more information.

When my son was two I felt he should be talking more and I did not get help. I regret it. I finally got a recommendation from our pediatrician at three years old and he was accepted into our school districts special education program. My husband was not big on the term 'special education' but I went ahead and pursued getting my son help! He is doing wonderfully. He is 4.5 and talks just as well as other children his age. He blows us away with his comprehension and knowledge and goes to a wonderful preschool where he is pulled out once a week for speech. My suggestion: If you feel like he is not where he should be, seek medical advice. Make a trip to your pediatrician. You won't regret it! If it turns out he is fine, then you did not harm him or anyone else by just finding out. No one wants to admit that there might be something 'wrong' with their child, but it is far better to get them help now than to wait until it's too late! Good luck and keep us posted:)

A lot of times if your child is working on another milestone, say potty training, then something like talking might slightly delayed. But as another post said, if your son seems slightly delayed in other areas, it is probably worth getting checked out... but if he seems on track elsewhere, he might just be a "late talker." Try talking to him all the time; reading stories; describing what you are doing; and encourage him to talk back in a dialogue setting. Also, my daughter had talking issues until she had tubes put in her ears for reoccuring ear infections... then her vocabulary sky-rocketed!

I am a speech-language pathologist with 14 years of experience, 10 of those being in pediatrics. I spent half that pediatric time in a medical setting and half that time in a local school system (working for the last four years in preschool only).

Please get a referral from your pediatrician for a hearing evaluation (not just a screening) as well as a speech-language evaluation. The schools are not able to screen your child until he's at least 2 and a half. That's too much time to wait at this point. If your son's development is found to be normal, you can rest easy. If he's found to have a speech and/or language delay, then he can get the help he needs as soon as possible, which is critical. They should also be able to provide you with a myriad of ideas to help stimulate language in his natural environments (home, the community, etc.).

At your child's age, he should have a speaking vocabulary of more than 250 words, and should be putting at least two words together in new and creative ways. He should be able to follow simple two step directions and answer basic yes/no questions related to his wants and needs. These are just a few of the basics that should be accomplished around 24 months of age.

Check out www.asha.org, look under "The Public" tab at the top, and check out "Speech, Language, and Swallowing" for more information.

my son didn't start talking until he was about 30 months old....a lot of people (his dad included) were worried that something was wrong....i wasn't worried because i knew that his hearing was ok, he could follow simple directions, he could make his wants known.....as a mom, you know your child better than anyone else.....if you think that there might be a problem, have him tested.....start with hearing test and go from there.....if you feel that everything is ok, wait a bit longer.....boys are notoriously slow in verbal development. there are many early intervention programs available if he does have a problem.....but don't assume that there is one. if he's behaving age appropriately in other areas, chances are the verbal skills will kick in soon.....keep reading to him and talking to him....good luck!!!!

Another couple things:
First I want to make clear of something another post said. If your son can follow direction, and totally understands what you are saying, he can still have a speech delay. There are two scores in the realm of communication to be aware of: receptive and expressive. Receptive basically tells how receptive your son is--does he understand what you're saying; how much information is he taking in. Expressive is the opposite. This score tells how he expresses his info--namely through language, speech, communication. At 21 months, my son's receptive score was at 19 months (NOT enough to qualify for AzEIP's services as it was still within average range), but his expressive score was at 9 months (definitely severe enough to qualify). So, there is no correlation between understanding others and speaking. He may totally understand you and follow your verbal directions, but he may still have a speech delay.

Secondly, it's not going to hurt anyone (most of all, your son) to call AzEIP and have him evaluated. It's free and you'll get peace of mind as you get an idea of where he's at developmentally. Good luck!

Just a thought, but not to worry!! My son was the same way, he didn't say anything, and he was 2. He did have a lot of ear infections and I tgok him to an Ear Nose and Throat Doc.(ENT) They tested him and found that he was legally deaf, but fixable, they put tubes in his ears and that same day he said his first word. It was amazing. Just a thought, but don't jump to that conclusion.

He needs to be tested for cognitive skills, fine and gross motor skills, don't mess around with that. you'll either get answers or be told there's nothing to be alarmed. every day you worry but don't get it checked out is scarier than finding out and being able to proactively do something about it.
don't waste time. you have nothing to lose. you'll either get peace of mind or the power to start doing things that could help your son as soon as possible. time is of the essence.

Hi D.,

My son wasn't talking that much until he went to daycare. Now he's talking up a little storm and he's talking more and more each day. He watches Little Einsteins video's and that helps him as well. I also read to him and I have found that this helps him learn new words as well. I hope that these suggestions help!

I.

We noticed this with my daughter at around 18 months and everyone said we were crazy. We ended up getting her tested, most states provide the service for free (we lived in california at the time but I am sure NM does it too). Anyway, she was behind enough to qualify for free speech therapy from the state. Even if your child doesn't qualify, just having the professional evaluation will help you make an informed decision about whether you may want to pay for the therapy yourself. Your health insurance MAY cover it if you can document a delay from a professional expert. My daughter has completely caught up now and is doing great. Who knows for sure if it was the therapy or just a natural delay that would have worked itself out. But..I am glad we did the therapy.

Hello D.,
My son was the same way. Have you had his hearing tested? I think that would be a place to start. Check with his doctor to get you started. My son was tested and he had a profound hearing loss in both ears. As soon as he got his hearing aides it opened up a new world for him. Good Luck!

Get him evaluated for a speech delay. The state will give him free speech therapy if he qualifies, but he has to qualify before the age of 3 years old. The same thing happened with my son and I am so glad we didn't listen to his pediatrician & wait till it was too late to get him free help. If you call: The Easter Seals Blake Foundation, Arizona Early Intervention Program dept ###-###-#### & leave a message. They sometimes take a couple of weeks to get back to you, but they can send out a free confidential DDD Service Coordinator/Developmental Specialist to do a free evaluation of your son in your house. They have been great with my son. Good luck!

It may be difficult to tell if there is a problem or not as children learn to talk at different rates. I recommend checking out ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionaire). Google it on the web. It is a questionaire that you fill out (very easy). It asks you to mark whether or not your child can do certain tasks, and it includes communication. Then you can score it yourself. If nothing else, this would probably put your mind at ease.

Tell your pediatrician. She will probably refer you to AZEIP. It is better to get started with speech therapy asap so that by the time he reaches kindergarten, he will not be too delayed. I went through all this with my son, even though many many many people told me i was overreacting and to just leave him be. Is it so bad to get extra help? Doesn't everyone want the best for your own? Also at two years nine months, the school districts take over and provide help too.

Hi,
I would be concerned too. You're his mother and if not you, who else would be concerned.

I would, (you may already have) checked out www.autismspeaks.org.

You didn't mention if he maintains good eye contact with you. If he does, than that would decrease my concern. Does he interact with you well?

If he interacts with you and has eye contact with you, than that would make me be less concerned.

When my baby was born, he rarely cried. I was concerned and talked to his pediatrician who said not to worry.
He is perfectly normal now. He probably would talk less than he does as I can tell that he is more on the quiet side but he has a very loud older (by 2yrs) sibling.

IF there is an issue, EARLY intervention is highly beneficial.
Also, you would have tremendous support to help you as well!
So don't worry, just do your homework. Worry can take you "away" from your son.

Hello, I have a son who will be 3 in June and who is also not talking. He said his first word about 11 mos old but has not talked since. He makes noices and tries to tell us stuff all the time but without words or letter sounds. Right before his 2nd birthday his doctor said we should "play stupid" to try and talk out of frustration. Also my daughter who was 3 always talked for him. Everybody told me that he would just start talking when he was ready. Well,about 4 mos ago I finally took him for an evaluation with a speech therapist only to find out how very smart he was and that he just had weak mounth muscles. They gave me some ideas to do with him to strengthen his muscles and now has has started to say some words. Anyway that is my story but it comes down to what you believe in your heart is the right thing to do. I truley belive that children will only do things when they are ready not when we try to make them.

My son is five, and we went through the same thing. My advice, skip the pediatrician. Mine told me my son was fine, but when we had him evaluated by a speech pathologist, it was determined that he had a speech delay. The reason I was so concerned was that my brother-in-law had a speech problem that was so bad that by the time he got to kindergarten he threatened to commit suicide!!! Kids are so mean and will tease anyone without realizing how hurtful it can be. Anyway, my son was enrolled in Early Intervention at 20 months, and by the time he was three, he tested out of the program ABOVE his age level. It was SO worth it. I'd get your son evaluated if for nothing else but peace of mind. Good luck!

You wrote that he is not talking "much". Is he saying words you have not recognized? If he is saying sounds, and saying some words, give it some more time. Encourage talk by reading and talking to him. Point to objects and say the word clearly. I bet he'll be saying more words as weeks go by. Enjoy him!

Alot of boys don't talk much until they are around three years old. Developmentally not ready. Just be sure you are exposing him to lots of vocabulary rich conversations. Read to him!!! Talk to him. Try to interpret what he means or says and encourage him to use words or sign language to communicate. Alot of times its as simple as teaching him that he can communicate he wants and needs to get it started.

Have you had his hearing checked?

Our niece didn't talk til well past 2, but when she started, she started with full sentences. Although she did have to have some speech therapy, she now tests way way above average on her aptitude tests as a first grader, so it may not necessarily be a worry. But it is certainly something worth seeing a professional about at this age, to check for the things people have suggested here.

D.-
The only thing that I can recommend is you should really just ask yourself what your gut is telling you. A mother always know if they should be concerned or not. If you are not sure, take him to his dr. and ask what they think. I had a friend whose son really didn't talk until almost 6 years old. He could say mommy, daddy and basic things, but would not really use the words. They put him into speech therapy and he is just fine. Sometimes child just talk later than others. Don't panic until there really is something to panic about.
S. C

Hi my name is M.
first i would ask the doctor about this. 2nd is that not all children develop at the same age or rate as others. Try talking to him clearly as you do to another person, use simple words and paractice them with him so he can try and pronounce them. I have a nephew whom did not speak munch around his age would only say simple words like mama and point to what he wanted. this was becuase the parents were always doing for him and i think he felt he did not need to talk much if he was understood. When he turned about 4 and began headstart then his mounth turned loose he learned quick. hope this helps.

There are many factors to consider.Definitely check his hearing. Once that is ruled out, make sure you talk to him as an adult. Also look at what he's watching and interacting with. Personally, my kids were learning two languages, and understood both, but didn't speak until they were 3 years old. Now they are bilingual, but it's still hard to understand my 4 1/2 year old 'cause he combines them. Also, I was told that kids some times thrive with some skills while they slow down in others. This may be the case with your son. Make sure he is still ok in other developmental areas. Just to make sure, I'd have him checked.

I do have to say that facing up to scarey "could be" problems is hard. By making that appointment with your childs doctor and then on to the speech specialist, you are taking a step that represents you are willing to accept the outcome and face up to it. It may be nothing but a speech delay--hopefully! Commonly, that's the case. But... age 2 is a CRUCIAL time for children when behavior and social challenges present themselves and can be more easily intervened on. NOW is the best time to get things evaluated becuase if there are to be challenges ahead, by waiting, you will cheat your child out of the best opportunity for normalcy. Its a heavy weight to consider--good luck.

My daughter is 21 months and only says mama and dada. I got concerned because she also didn't point to things and couldn't go get things if I asked her to. I took her to a developemental pediatric doctor and found out she is developementally delayed but so is her father. Since we took her there I have got in contact with Arizona Early intervention program and she is going to start speech and occupational therapy here in the next couple of weeks. Early intervention is the key.
You might have nothing to be concerned about- he might not just be ready to talk and feels he is getting everything he needs without speaking.
If you are concerned, it does not hurt to talk to your pediatrician just for piece of mind. I have talked to many parents who kids were not talking until they turned 3 and above.

I had a speak problem as a child my mom waited till i was in school to get it fixed which resulted in me being made fun of for years before it was fixed. I would speak to your pediatrician & the school district you are in. They have a program for children not quite up to where they should be & helps them plus the start teaching them school things which is always handy. This is in every school district. It is easier to fix a problem when they are little then when they are older. I have a friend whose son was the same way he has been in the class for a yr now & talks much better still not quite his age lvl though but at least he is talking.

hey-
I would be concerned but talk to his doctor! Also check out babycenter.com. They have so many articles and resources for anything you can imagine.

I would recommend talking to your doctor.. he or she will probably put your fears at ease.
My youngest son didn't talk much at all... around age 3 1/2 we had his hearing checked (it was fine), and had him evaluated for speech delay. He did have some minor delays, but with Chandler special education for 6 mo., he made great improvements, and has NO issues at all now. He was one of the best readers in his class by the end of Kindergarten, and continues to make straight A's (he's almost 10).
When your son starts talking he probably won't be quiet!
Good luck.

you can call your local grade school and ask for the name of their speech therapist and arrange for a screening - they are usually free and worth the effort if you find something is wrong. Of course talking with your pediatrician would be a great first step as well. These people are there to help and it is best to deal with any issue that might be out there as soon as possible.

Check his hearing (I had a son not hear enough and didn't know it), and take care of it, if necessary. Otherwise, just wait. Some children prefer not to talk until later.

Hi D.,
If you are concerned talk to your pediatrician. Don't let anyone make you feel like you are over-reacting, this is your child.Coincidentally, my nephew was not talking much at 2 1/2. My brother took him in to the pediatrician and they found out that his adenoids were so swollen that they interfered with his speach. Basically, it hurt him too much to talk. He made alot of grunting, gutteral sounds, but few words. He had surgery to remove his adenoids and his speach quickly improved.
There are so many possibilities, take your son in and get a professional opinion :)

Every child develops in different ways. I thought my son (who is now 5) had some hearing loss due to his chronic ear infections, so I expressed my concerns to our pediatrician who then referred us to a ear,nose,throat doctor. The Dr. did an ear exam and found that his hearing was fine and that he would develop his language skills when he as ready. Sure enough within just a few months from the appt. he was talkin' like there was not tomorrow. If you have some concerns see your doctor and a good one will refer you to a specialist. Hope this helps

I would say speak with a pediatrician. All children develop differently. I started speaking at a very young age my sister did not. She would hear a word sneak away and practice in private until she could say it perfect before she would use a word. At two he should be speaking a little more than momma and dada but how much just depends on where he is in his own development. If your still concerned, talk to a pediatrician.

My nephew also is a late talker. My brother recently took him to get tested and was told he just needed special training. He goes twice a week and is already learning new words! They will tell you when is the best time to intervene if needed. You don't want to wait too late as there is a lot of development that occurs in these early years.

Hi!

If you r son is doing everythign else normal? then don't worry about it. He'll talk when he is ready. he is building a vocabulary in his little brain adn assimilating all the information he sees. When he DOES start talking....he won't shut up.
One of my kids did not talk until his baby sister started talking....(she's 21 months younger than him). He then decided he better talk or she'd talk for him!
In short...I wouldn't worry about it! Not at this point :)

S.
(Mom of 8, grandma of 1!)

this is a doctor issue. You should check with your pediatrician on this one. According to the APA he should be saying some things, but who knows? He may have an ear issue, or a verbal apraxia....? best to ask your doctor..they'll know what questions to ask you, etc....

Dear D.,
Your letter was brief. Children model our own behavior. Is he making other sounds, or communicating silently? If so, that is normal and good language development at any age. Talk, read, sing and play with him a lot, and at length, and his language skills should quickly improve.
-J.

Hi D.,

If he's progressing in all other areas, then I wouldn't worry too much. However, if there are other "signs" that something might be amiss, you may want to consider seeing a specialist just to be sure.

Best wishes to you! :)

Warm Regards,
G. Van Luven

My oldest didn't say a word, not even much baby "talking", til she was three. Then she spoke in whole sentences like a person. Now she's 16 and sometimes we can't get her to stop. Our newest, 14 months, "talks" all the time. I really wouldn't worry about it, so long as it's clear that he's hearing and understanding okay.

Look at other milestones he might be. Does he have well developed motor skills? Sometimes if kids develop in one area they will be slower in another. Does he seem to understand language? When you talk to him? Can you give instructions to him and he understands? Like get the ball. Not talking in and of itself isn't something i would worry about, but if there are other things in addition then talk to your pediatrician. My son is almost 2 and still isn't talking, but i am not worried about it because he isn't motivated to want to talk yet, but he does understand when I talk to him. hope this helps a little

D.,

The age we (parents/doctors) feel a child should be talked is an average. Some talk very early, some talk very late relative to the average, and there is nothing wrong.

My now nearly eight year old daughter was a late talker. She was three before she really go going. And, NOW SHE NEVER STOPS! HELP! (just kidding)

Above all, if it really worries you, talk to your pediatrician.

~D.