A two-year-old drooling excessively?

Question

I am really concerned about one of the toddlers in my class. He will be 2 next month and still wears a bib because of his excessive drooling. He is not teething -- he's been wearing this bib and drooling like this since birth! He doesn't speak like the other children, who are learning to put sentences together now. He mostly babbles and spits. His mother asked me why he doesn't know any of the colors that the other children know -- but he's not grasping any of the stuff I'm teaching like the other kids. He barely responds to his name most of the time! What is going on? Should I be worried this much?

Answer 1

You are right to be concerned. When was the child's last hearing test? That should be the first thing that gets done. Talk to the parent about getting him assessed.

Part of the drooling could be due to poor "oro-motor" skills ... which basically means his tongue muscles are not developing well. A speech therapist is the best person to deal with this.

Also you do not say how his skills are in other areas? Fine and Gross Motor?

But definitely see if the parents would be open to see about getting him assessed, after a hearing test has been carried out.

Answer 2

Well, my nephew had a drooling problem til he was about two and a half, and wore a bib frequently. That's not really a health problem, just not pleasant to deal with.
If his lack of responsiveness and nonverbal skills are that much of an issue, though, you could recommend that the mom have her son's skills evaluated by a doctor or the local school system. (Yes, schools do evals at that young age; it's called early intervention.)
But be tactful and sensitive when discussing this; if she is asking you questions, she just might not know what type of help her son can receive, if he needs any extra supports. Also, if you have a supervisor, I'd speak to that person before you proceed. You are representing the school. Good luck.

Answer 3

Two Year Old Drooling

Answer 4

The child needs to be evaluated for developmental delays, such as speech impairments, language impairments, and cognitive delays. It sounds like the child has poor oral motor control, which may cause drooling. He probably needs speech and language therapy, but first must be evaluated and diagnosed. I had a child in my class who drooled at age 3. Our speech therapist recommended oral motor exercises such as having him chew gum or gummie bear candy to strengthen the muscles. Chewing licorice, sucking applesauce or pudding through a straw also helps. My drooler is now an ex-drooler. We let him chew gum or licorice every day and now he has improved 100%.

Answer 5

Maybe it is time to sit down with this mom for a conference. Explain your concerns, and hers, ask her to take him to the pediatrician. Have you been documenting anything? Documentation is always helpful. Maybe before your conference, you should do a little research, and have pages from some books copied for mom, to see maybe where he is lacking. Also, have you consulted the director of your center? They need to be kept up to date with your children, also, so that they can offer resources that they know about.

Answer 6

sounds like the mother needs to take the child in for a professional opinion. He just may be a little slow or have a hearing problem.

Answer 7

Tell the daycare owner or director about your concerns. They are the ones who should question speak to the mother about what's going on with the child.

Answer 8

I suggest that you refer this child for testing. It may be nothing but you are paid to help give this child a quality education. Try contacting Babies Can't Wait. They will be able to tell you what else you need to do to get services or evaluation started on this child.

Answer 9

Talk to the mom about it and have a doctor take a look at him to make sure nothing is wrong

Answer 10

sounds like mild downs syndrome

help her make a list of the things he can and can't do and be sure she talks about it with her doctor at his 2 year old checkup