My soN is 26 monthS and still Not talking....?

Question

I kNow that all children learn at their own pace, I am just wondering, when is it time to be concerned. I have been reading to my son everyday, and doing other things people have recommended, but he refuses to say a lot. I dont know what to do.

Answer 1

My son is 26 months old as well and doesn't talk either. There are two types of speech: receptive and expressive. You need to decide if you think your son is delayed in both areas before you start to panic. Receptive speech is simply how much your son understands: can he follow 2 or 3 step commands, can he point to an object when asked and make the sound (for example, pointing to a dog or cat and saying woof or meow), and most importantly, does he interact within his environment. Not all children interact with other kids and that does not necessarily help with communication. If he doesn't interact within his environment, contact your local early intervention for testing. They are free and worth the effort if he is delayed in his receptive speech.

Expressive speech is the oral speech. There are the "averages" we all hear about but those include kids that don't talk and those that talk up a storm, it has no bearing on intelligence. In fact, a large number of late talking boys are highly intelligent especially with logic.

The best thing is to not push him to talk. With my son, I reward him with a great big "YEAH!!" everytime he says a new word or tries to communicate more with me. Right now he is advanced in his receptive speech (knows his alphabet phonetically, knows double numbers, and can follow multiple commands) but is very delayed in his expressive speech.

Hang in there. It is frustrating for the parents but even more frustrating for the child. If you still have questions it doesn't hurt to contact the early intervention people.

Answer 2

I'm going to tell you the same thing I told another parent because it really worked for us (my daughter and myself)
There is a program called the birth to 3 program and it is very useful and it is available through out the US. And they offer programs for speech. My daughter was the same way and she sees a speech therapist every week and she get home schooling every week as well and it has really helped her along she'll be three this February and she been in the program since she was 1 1/2 and you can call any state facility that deals with assistance (even if you don't need it) and they can get the number for you, and hopefully they have a program called HANNA and it helps a great deal to help to teach you child even if its not your first time around there still so much out there that it doesn't hurt but to try. Well I hope this helped

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about it. You could get his hearing checked if you think that may be a problem, but some kids just take longer than others. Is this your first child? Because my son didn't talk for a long time, but his sister is a year older and never let him get a word in. She would also translate for him, so he took forever to speak clearly. Give him time. Maybe he just doesn't have much to say yet! My son mostly liked to observe when he was little. He's 12 now and a great interpreter of human behavior!

Answer 4

Just to be sure, get his hearing checked and get the doctor to give him a thorough check over to see everything is ok.

If you are sure he is ok once the medical has been done then try playing music to him as this is a great stimulus for littlies along with reading books.

Does he have older siblings? If he does then sometimes they can do all the talking for the younger ones and this can make them verbalise later as if someone else is doing all the work them there's is no need. (I have witnessed this at a childcare centre where I recently worked)

Answer 5

He is over 2 years old! He should be talking sentences by now. I would be seriously concerned if I were you. Hearing problems,something. Does he have siblings? Even my youngest who I refused to teach how to talk, talked before she was 2 years old.

Do you teach him words? Talk to him and have him tell you what things are? Develop communication skills, require him to communicate when he wants or needs something? If you are doing all that and your son is not talking he needs to go in for testing. There is something wrong.

You could send him to pre-school IF he is potty trained?

Answer 6

ok, so your son is 2 year 2 months old., but does not speak yet. Does he make any sounds? Grunts, screams, anything that comes out of his mouth? If he makes souinds, I would not worry too much yet. Each child reaches milstones at their own pace. As long as he seems to make some sounds, and not always silent, it would seem he has not reached the milestone to talk..but , if he doesnt make any sounds..I would have him checked by a Dr.

Answer 7

My friend had twins who refused to talk until they were three...well they are 6 now and i think they have a better vocabulary than most adults...lol...children do learn at there own pace...don't stress yourself about it

Answer 8

Some children wont talk until they are ready I would keep encouraging him they way you have been. If he does not talk at all I would bring it up at his next doctors visit it could be a hearing problem preventing him form being able to communicate properly. Good luck hope he starts talking soon.

Answer 9

talk to your pediatrician about it, ask about:
autism, ear problems, speech. Be a keen observer of your child's play is he playing w/ toys appropriately like does a car go vroom, airplane fly, animal make noise? or is it more like toys have to be stacked in a certain order or in a line, or are his toys only being throw or banged?. If you see that he's playing with his toys different than what other kids do, then tell your dr. this can be a sign of autism...

Answer 10

We had that problem with my nephew, he is three and still can't say that many words, I think he may have a touch of autism but my sister won't get him tested. You may want to ask your doctor about that if he has any other symptoms, there are different degrees, though, from extremely mild to uncontrollable.