Is it normal for my two year old son to not talk.?

Question

He can understand about anything I ask him to do. He talked more when he was 8-12 months he said MaMa PaPa,BaBa, Sissy,NaNa ect he says none of that now. The only thing he will say now, is Hello, Who is it? when the phone rings. My mom says not to worry but I am.

Answer 1

Still waters run deep.

My boy and girl twins will be 2, in a week. He understands (almost) everthing, and she "speaks in tongues"

But they're getting better,- yours is still ahead of mine!!

Answer 2

Well, I would worry a bit, and get him tested. A little boy that I am very close to, though he shows no real affection went through some similar stuff. When he started to stop responding and stop making eye contact, I asked his parents (very cautiously) if they had noticed anything different with him. They said yes, and that they were getting him tested. I asked about autism, and they said it was a possiblity. Well, it turns out he has a sensory motor learning problem, does not talk much unless forced, bad eyecontact, does not like solid foods, trouble potty training and strange gait. He has been diagnosed for about a year. He has begun to eat new foods (speech therapist helped with this, which I recommended to them), has been potty trained, will respond in children's church if prompted, and can make some eye contact. If caught early on, these problems can be lessened and even cured. Get him tested and fast, and hopefully it will be nothing, but if it is, he is very young and the younger you catch a problem, the more likely the problem can be fixed. Good luck!

Answer 3

I have a really good friend who's son is the exact same way... His language is a series of elaborate grunts that only people who have been around him understand. I have told her to have his hearing checked. I don't know exactly where 2 year olds are supposed to be.. at two my son was singing songs and speaking in full sentences... on the opposite end my husband didn't start talking until he was 3. I am not saying there is anything wrong with him... he may only be a little behind but I still think he is. It is your job to worry, if you don't who will? Good Luck!

Answer 4

Is your son the oldest child??? If your son is a younger sibling, watch him and his older sibling... Is the older sibling talking for him???

Many times an older sibling will slip into the translator role without parents realizing the sibling is talking for the younger child...

The younger child is actually quite intellegent they have already figured out the benefits of delegating... If a simple point will bring juice why go to the trouble of saying "I want some juice." If someone else is going to do all the work of talking for you why bother doing it for yourself...

If it's an older sibling the problem will clear up on it's own once the older sibling starts school and is no longer there to serve as the personal translator...

Answer 5

No, don't worry too much. Boys often speak later than the average baby, especially when they know that they can get all of their needs met without speaking (my father didn't speak until he was well over 3 years old, then started using full sentances!).

Since you know he can speak, if you want to encourage him to speak more, tell him that if he wants something, then he needs to tell you in words. Obviously, don't ignore real needs, but only respond positively to speech. Any speech from him (even garbled, unintelligible words) should be praised.

He'll talk when he's ready. In the meantime, make sure you speak with him often, in an adult tone, and leave pauses where you would want him to respond to you.

One more thought. If you want to communicate with him, but aren't overly concerned about getting him to speak, you might want to pick up a book about baby sign language. A friend of mine uses signs with her son because he has a speech impediment that makes it hard to understand him.

Answer 6

A child should be saying at least 20 words by the time they turn 2, and 50 words by the time they are 2 and a half years old. I would have him evaluated by your local early start program. Call the school district and ask about it. The fact that he has lost language is not good. That is one of the first signs of autism. I dont mean to alarm you but I would definititly get it checked out.

Answer 7

its normal more than likely.. all kids learn at their own pace boys in most cases learn slower than girls.. my son didnt start talking till he was 3 but understood everything i said and is very bright. but in my case he couldnt hear that well in either ear and i didnt know this the dr put tubes in his ears and by 3 1/2 (now) he talks great! so u may want to ask the doc jus to make sure i assumed jus cuz he could understand he could hear but it isnt true they learn to read lips and expressions. oh an my son has never had an ear infection so even if he doesnt have them it still can be the case

Answer 8

All children do develop at different levels and different ages, but it is unusual for a child to talk and then quit. That sounds a little strange to me. I would just casually ask my doctor about it. If for nothing else then to put your mind at rest. He should at least be saying some words. Ask a doctor whats he going to say "Either he is Fine or lets check out a few things."

Answer 9

My little girl was a chatter box at 2. She still is- she'll be 3 in 3 weeks.

I would definitely talk to the doctor since he lost language.

Answer 10

My son turned 2 in July and he talks a lot. Fairly plain.
The thing to remember is that all children will develop at different ages. He may just be a slow talker.
If you are concerned it wouldn't hurt anything to consult his pediatrician about it.

Answer 11

Ask the pediatrician for a referral to a speach therapist. It isn't "normal" but it sounds like he does talk a little. Maybe he just chooses not to talk. Some kids are shy, my brother didn't talk much. He ended up fine.