My 2 year old son isnt talking yet?

Question

My husband is hispanic and speaks english as does most of his family but his mother only speaks spanish. She watches our son whileI go to school 2 days a week. Our son has his own little language it seems, but still isnt really saying much. He knows how to communicate through actions and is able to tell us what he wants or needs but he doesnt use words. He can do everything and anything any other 2 year old can, so I feel like that part of the development is on target. It's possible that he isnt talking because he's learning two languages at the same time but should we still take him to a speech pathologist or wait a little longer. He does say some words just not as much as I've heard other kids his own age.

We just tubes put in July 18th, and he goes for his 2 year check up tomorrow.

Answer 1

He's only two. He'll talk when he is ready. Its wonderful that he is learning two languages. In a year from now you will probably be wishing he didn't talk. Until then just enjoy the quiet times.

Answer 2

You may want to get his hearing tested, but I wouldn't be all that worried.

My brother didn't start talking until he was nearly three. He just didn't need to! He pointed or grunted and all of us ran around trying to figure out what the Little Prince wanted! When he did talk, he started with single words for only a few days, and then was speaking full sentences. Some kids are just weird like that.

[Coincedentally, we lived in Germany at the time, so he was exposed to two languages regularly. He turned out fine and now speaks both English (fluently) and German (nearly fluently)]

It sounds like you might be a little worried about your being exposed to two languages. Don't be! Kids who are brought up in bilingual housholds don't have any problem because of it. I'd encourage his grandma to speak Spanish to him, because that way he'll grow up knowing both Spanish and English, which is NOT a bad thing. Make sure he keeps speaking Spanish with her as he gets older - it's a skill that he'll really appreciate later in life.

Answer 3

Be careful not to compare your son to other kids. Were those other kids you are talking about only children or did they have older siblings, were they girls, did they go to daycare. There are several different things that can effect how quickly a child learns to speak. Children who are around older children usually talk quicker, and girls usually talk much quicker. However, little boys can take a long time to learn to talk well. If he is communicating needs and wants and he seems to be hearing fine he is probably okay. Encourage him to speak by saying the name of the thing he wants..... "you want a ball? Can you say ball?" things like that can help. Several children learn two languages at the same time. He will be okay.

Answer 4

Your son is probably a late talker. Take him to the doctor to be sure but he sounds like he's just taking his time talking. I didn't talk until I was three but then I spoke in complete sentences like an adult. Albert Einstein was also a late talker. I don't think you should worry too much right now since he's communicating well in non-verbal ways and he probably understands both English and Spanish by now. You'll have a Spanglish speaking child soon enough.

Answer 5

Every child developes at a different rate. It is great that your mother-in-law speaks spanish to him, his mind will absorb it and learn it very quickly at this age. I doubt it is slowing his speech progress.

Have you had his hearing tested, or mentioned this to a doctor? There could be a physical cause, but it could just be that he's too busy learning other skills to worry about talking right now, especially if he can get what he wants without saying anything. You can encourage him by talking to him and reminding him to say "milk, please" instead of just pointing to the refrigerator.

I've also heard that kids with pacifiers don't speak as early as kids who don't have them.

Answer 6

He should be ok...Seriously...Sometimes children who start speaking later become more developed....Its ok that he is exposed to 2 languages, and I wouldnt worry about it too much. If it goes on past 2 or 3 ish then I would be worried...but talk to him directly and see if he says anything in response to you...but you have to realize that who ever he is exposed to the most is the one who he is gonna pick up on. So if he hears spanish all the time then he more then likely understands that but isn't gonna speak it to someone who speaks english.

Answer 7

my sister~ I have a little cousin who doesnt talk really but he has no problem getting his point across. My family allows him to almost "cherade" his sentences and I believe this is counter productive and can lead to misdiagnosis of a child as slow or undeveloped socially. If he can express what the function of something is, he can say the word. I encourage you/the family to not 'cater' to his silence or "miming" what he wants. If he wants something, require that he tell you what it is (even though you know). No matter if the answer is in english or spanish...just make his say it. I have said many times of my cousin "let him come stay with me for a weekend and I'll have him talking". Remember the Bible tells us to Train up our children. Not merely raise them.

God bless you and keep you...

Answer 8

have him evaluated by his pediatrician. He should be using words and talking in small sentences. He should be referred to a speech specialist. Call and make an appt today about your concerns. He should be using more words then actions through hand movements. Do you and your husband talk to him on a regular basis? Do you put words to objects such as ..This is a car? Do you see the red car?

Use flash cards with pictures and repeat words to him.

Answer 9

it's okay maybe he has a speech delay. Check with a speech doctor. They have progrmas which can help him. I had a cousin who would say things using sounds and my grandmother got her into this program call Learning intervention and she speaks very clear and she's only been talking for almost 1 year. He'll be fine. Good Luck

Answer 10

You may want to go get his hearing checked out again. When I was younger I had a language all on my own and it turned out my hearing was damaged. I had a speech impediment until I was seven and then grew out of it. I highly doubt that he is having problems because of two different languages are in use...it's actually good for children. I hope this helps, good luck!