Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to doctor?
I need some opinions. We have a child who is two and a half years old and doesn't speak much. In fact, he often grunts when he wants something even though he seems to know the words. For example, if I show him a picture book, he'd name the fish, dogs, cats, birds, etc. as I point them out. He smiles, of course, when I applaud his achievements. However, in a typical interaction, he often doesn't speak on his own initiative. He knows how to call out for a cookie from the jar, but would rather grunt and cry and point to it until someone gets it for him. Is this something to worry about at his age?
Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
that does seem a little late to me. it couldn't hurt to take him in for a checkup. You've probably already looked at resources like this:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_developmental-milestone-talking_6573.bc?page...
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
Developmental milestones in babies and toddlers are maddening - quite simply because people proscribe to them despite the fact that every child develops at their own pace.
We stressed out for months over our daughter's seemingly late-stage walking - I even posted on the forum about this, just as you have done here - only to realize later that it was all okay when she finally did start walking. Today she's perfectly "normal" at a little over 3 1/2.
Of course there is always a chance that there is an issue, but It could simply be that your child's speaking ability is a bit slower to develop than others (like my daughter's walking) but will turn out just fine, or it could even just be his personality (some people just don't like to talk much).
Whatever the case it's understandable that you're concerned, but try not to freak out too much - from what I've seen, kids seem to develop in spurts and you may find that one day, he just suddenly starts blabbing non-stop.
Of course I'm certainly not qualified to give you any professional advice, so by all means, go see a doctor if it can ease your mind, but do make a point of getting multiple opinions. I know in Chinese hospitals they do this "milestone test" on young children to track their development, but I've always taken them with a grain of salt for the reasons stated above.
It's all easier said than done, I know, but these worries come as naturally to parents as developmental milestones do to kids.
Jerry Chan, Editorial Director
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
I am curious, you say he would rather grunt or cry his request. When this happens, do you give in to him and get him what he wants or respond with "you need to use your words to tell Mummy what you need as I don't understand what you are asking" I used to do this with my son and he soon learnt that he needs to speak to me if he needs something and certainly by 2, grunting, pointing or making other such noises just wouldn't cut it! I have worked with young children a few years now and see many ayis especially giving into children's demands and not encouraging them to use words. Boys especially are lazy and if they can avoid putting a sentance together, they will!
That said, I am not medically qualified so if you are really worried, take him to the doctors to put your mind at rest.
Best of luck!
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
@Coco, try this site - its been unbelievably helpful with our little one and blows other parenting sites into the bushes.
http://www.babycenter.com/search/showResultsForContent.htm?cx=partner-pu...
For expecting mothers SIGN UP, its free and as soon as you log in your expectancy dates, it emails you all the time to reassure and assist you. There are occasional ad emails but no other downside.
VIDEO Soundcloud tracks Some mixes
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
second the babycenter rec.
Really useful information and very easy to navigate.
If you have had him checked out for any hearing/other physical problems, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Good advice from Alithomson, too.
My third and my nephew are only a month apart, (he is the elder) he walked way earlier than my daughter, but didn't start talking in full sentences until recently (not quite three yrs.). He was very much like you described in your post. Everyone made my sis in law miserable with comparisons and speculating that something was wrong...he chats away now, no problem at all.
Of course a Dr. visit won't hurt, but hope this puts your mind at ease a little.
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
Thanks for the advice and experiences shared. I'm really not worrying about this too much (I think), but figured I would check around with a few others because the chatter from the old ladies in the playground and from my mother herself based on what she sees and hears from other children his age is endless. It gets annoying with all the comparisons. Oh, xx is already riding a bike and he's only two so we have to get one for our little boy too. That sort of stuff.
He has had his ears and such checked before and the doctors think he is fine although I can't tell how professional and complete the testing was in the first place. How would I know...I'm not a doctor and can only take his word. Everyone in the household, however, is guilty of giving in to his pleas and cries too often. I've tried to hold out on our little boy when he screams out for something only then to see him grunt and turn red about to burst at the seams b/c he can't get his words out. When that happens, I want to hold off but often let it go maybe too early.
The worst is that he knows the word - he just won't say it when YOU want him to. He says it when HE feels like it!! For example, he knows how to say cookie, but not when you ask/plead for him to say it. He'll blurt it out later out of the blue when everyone is occupied with something else.
I've also heard others comment that b/c we're in a bilingual household he will begin speaking even later. I thought they were supposed to pick up words quickly at this age??? Well, again, I'm trying not to worry too much. But appreciate all the comments and suggestions on what we need to look out for and try.
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
I've also heard the same thing about toddlers growing up in bilingual environments - perhaps that's the case?
I think if your boy is able to speak out words (albeit at inopportune times), it may be less of a reason to worry
If, at this stage, he had still to utter a single word (i..e "mama" "baba" etc.), it would be more of an immediate concern
Jerry Chan, Editorial Director
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
For what it is worth, we lived in Japan for two years and it was not uncommon for children there not to speak much until two or three years old. One neighbor boy would just point at everything. But once he did start talking, the flood gates opened.
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
One thought that may be helpful is that your child is communicating. Everyone in the family obviously knows what he wants, and that is important. He is simply choosing his method of communication. Give it time...
p.s. Einstein didn't speak until he was eight!
Ann Thompson "Miss Ann"
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
As with some of the other posts, I would say it sounds like not too much to worry about - he communicates with you which is very important. He also seems to have learnt that he can make choices - another important milestone. Perhaps it would be useful to ensure that when you or others communicate with your son that you use full words/sentences, rather than being tempted to copy his grunts - as is so easy to do when children are so young. When he gestures that he needs something then reinforce the use of language by saying what it is that he is getting - "Here is your cookie", "Of course you can sit on mummy's lap" etc... And maybe a follow up hearing check could be considered if things continue.
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
Just wait until they start school. I saw a report somewhere which said that Beijing parents (non-expat) are spending up to 80k/year on extra tutoring/weekend classes. This is in addition to school fees.
Oh look - I found the article:
http://english.caing.com/2011-08-30/100296419.html
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
and here
http://www.beijing-kids.com/blog/admin/2011/08/31/Local-schooling-is-get...
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
Thanks for the link, Nidaye. I would love to see information like that related to International School parents as well; my experience was that far too many parents needed to pay for extra tutoring.
Ann Thompson "Miss Ann"
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Re: Little 2 year old boy doesn't speak. Take him to ...
Hi,
I didn't talk a word until I was almost 4, and opened up with a "Grandma come get me, mom is mad!!" much to everyone's surprise. I also have a tested IQ of 150 or so, perhaps he doesn't see the reason to talk yet.
If his play behaviours and emotional reactions are within the normal range to his peer group, don't worry too much about it. Saying that, a trip to a child psychologist when he returns home for a holiday could be worth it. I wouldn't trust any child psychologist's here, not enough of them to pick out the best.
Regards,
David
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