my son has started speech therapy but he isn't even 2 should they really be concerned ?

Question

He says like 10 words now. does he really need it anyone have any advice to help me help him myself.

Answer 1

I think that it is a great question to throw out there and it is one I get all the time. I am a speech pathologist and also a mother of three. I can honestly say that I know more about child speech and language development now that I have my own children. It is true that all children develop differently. There are so many factors to consider - is your child an only child, is s/he difficult to understand when words are spoken, etc. Children two years of age should have more than ten words, but it is also important HOW they use them. It is also important that all the necessary skills develop in the normal order. If I were you, I would continue to meet with your speech pathologist and ask the following questions (see below). At this point, all you want is the best for your child. It is highly likely your child will develop the necessary skills in time and therapy may just give you some great ideas to help him along. It won't hurt and it should be a fun thing for both of you. Best of luck - if you aren't satisfied with the answers you are given, don't be afraid to look for another speech pathologist. There are alot of us out there!
1. What are your concerns with my child's speech and language skills? (vocabulary, articulation, auditory processing)
2. What kinds of things will you be doing to improve his skills?
3. Are things following a normal developmental sequence?
4. What kinds of things can we do at home to reinforce these skills?
5. Have you screened his hearing? Can you refer me to an audiologist to have his hearing tested?

Answer 2

The NUMBER 1 thing to keep foremost in mind, here, is that your son is a unique human being, not an experiment, and not a clone of 'the average child'.

As a father of four, I have found is that 'experts' give a great deal of credence to averages; how well the average child speaks, writes, walks -- whatever. If you demand that your son conform to the curve that describes what is 'average', carry on following the advice of your local expert. If, however, you can bring yourself to allow your son to be who he is, to recognize that being unique is nothing to panic about, then relax, can the speech therapy idea, read aloud to him every night, and let him develop on his own. Recognize that 'average' is just a formulated number on a chart; almost NOBODY is 'average'.

Being 2 years of age and not speaking a great deal is no indication that your son is somehow deficient. When he decides that he needs to speak, then he will speak. When he comes to the place where his need to express complex ideas exceeds his present abilities, he will begin developing a more extensive vocabulary and using it.

I know of a boy who did not decide that they needed to read until about age 8. Relatives were all "Oh my gosh, He's not READING, yet?" One day the boy came to his father and asked for information about something; computers, I think. His father, wisely, simply waved to the encycolpedias and said, "There's some good information in those books." Within the year, the boy was reading above grade-level. Why? Because the boy finally discovered a compelling, personal need for the ability to read.

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear" is more than just some old Chinese proverb; it's the truth.

The key to all of this is your home environment. What sort of speaking and reading is done in his presence? Do you read good books to him? Is there a good deal of grammatically and syntactically correct dialog in your home? Your son cannot learn to speak well unless he hears people speaking well. YOU have to be the foremost example for him.

I know I've been wordy, and I threw quite a bit into the mix, here, but I hope you find it helpful.

Answer 3

It's very common for children that age and even younger to receive speech therapy. If he had been evaluated and is getting speech therapy then there must be a need for it and it's great that intervention has been started early! I can't advise you on how to help him at home because I don't know what his particular need is but his therapist will be more than happy to give you ideas....in fact, I find it strange that he or she hasn't talked to you about what's going on. It seems to me that you should have been involved and made aware from the beginning. You should ask to have a meeting with them.

Answer 4

I wasn't put into speech therapy until grade 2...so I was 5-6 but it didn't help that much...so I think start it around 3-3.5 so that they're talking good for school....but with only saying like 10 words...let the child learn on his own....

Answer 5

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Answer 6

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Answer 7

My son started speech therapy at a very young age too. I allowed it because it would help him and I would have done whatever it took to help him. It's not really how many words he says [or it wasn't in my case] it's how he says them. He needs professional help for that. But you can always wait until he starts school and re-evaluate him then and if he needs it still then do it. But then you have years to correct. I think you just have to follow your heart on this one.

Answer 8

If a professional evaluated him and feels he needs the therapy, don't second-guess them. Do as they recommend. The earlier he gets help, the easier it will be to correct or prevent any problems. A 2 year old should have a lot more than 10 words.

Answer 9

Get him the speech therapy now! If he starts the therapy this early, he may only have minimal or no speech problems by the time he's school age.

Answer 10

It is a good thing. My son started right about the same time as yours. It has done him a a world of good. He is still delayed in his speech( he is now 3) but it is improving. The more help he gets now the more likely he will be at the same level as the other kids when he gets older.