i have a daughter 3 4/12 age she still can't speak.is that normal?how long does it take for the child to speak

Answer 1

While "normal development" is considered in ranges not specific ages, it would be concerning certainly if your daughter is not speaking at all. Generally speaking children should begin with single words at 1 year "ma-ma", "da-da" and "no," but should even begin to respond to simple commands such as "no." By 2 years often 2 word phrases are being used and by 3, 4-5 word sentences. There are many things that can cause speech delay but a common, and potentially correctable cause is hearing loss. This should have been screened at birth but even passing this test does not make this cause impossible. Potentially more concerning however is lack of more global language/social skills. A child at 3 years should be able to point to and name objects, should smile inresponse to play or pleasant interaction, should mimick sounds or words spoken. Failure to reach these milestones as well may suggest a more global problem in ability to understand language not just speak it. And while this too can stem from a hearing deficit, it certainly needs to be evaluated by your daughter's pediatrician. While all pediatricians required to have basic screening skills in this area, if there is sufficient concern on their part, it may be appropriate to make a referral to a developmental specialist. Please speak with your pediatrician and insist on a developmental screening (which may come in the form of a questionaire or a few simple questions during your child's exam) as early recognition is so very important in providing the best possible outcomes.
Good Luck.
robnshrn
Pediatric MD

Answer 2

http://familyfun.go.com/parenting/child/dev/tool/stages_tlp/

This website lists all of the developmental milestonesfor children at different ages. Some children develop slightly slower than others but if your daughter doenst speak yet, then this is cause for concern. Has her hearing been checked recently? When was her last visit to a pediatrician? I would make sure you have her seen immediately and discuss these concerns with your doctor. He or she can recommend a good speech/language pathologist in your area, or someone else who can do a developmental screening to see if there are any early childhood educational programs that you can enroll her in. Good luck!

Answer 3

My son was about the same age too. Didn't speak much and never made coos when he was a baby,either. It is not normal, no matter what the doctors might say. It took forever to get help for my son. He is now in Special School District and has a few special classes along with standard classes. But it can be corrected if caught early. My son talks a lot now.

Answer 4

Mom tells me I hardly spoke at all until after I was 4 or 5 yrs old.

I had 4 bigger brothers and sisters. Probably got "spoken for" so much that I never felt the need to speak for myself. Plus it would have been hard to get a word in edgewise.

Now people complain that I never shut up.

Some kids just take their time. If your pediatrician doesn't diagnose any developmental delays or autism or that sort of thing, then I'd just relax.

Answer 5

Your daughter's speech and language development is far behind that expected for a 3yr, 3mo old child. Ask her doctor for a referral to a speech pathologist for an evaluation and any needed therapy. Intervention NOW will help her to catch up before she starts kindergarten, and it will make her eligible for Head Start. Don't let the doctor talk you out of it; many pediatricians and family doctors believe kids will "grow out of it", which is absolutely ridiculous. Speech and language delay can affect a child's self-esteem, as well as hinder academic achievement.
Make an appointment ASAP!

Answer 6

At 3 years old if your daughter isn't speaking at all you should be very concerned. She may be hearing impaired or developmentally challenged. If on the other hand she is talking very little but the words are clear then she might just be shy. Either way I would have her evaluated by a developmental specialist or your pediatrician as soon as possible.

Answer 7

No, that's not normal, in the sense of average. But many children who do not speak until late are nonetheless intelligent. When they start to speak, you will discover that they have been understanding a great deal, but not saying anything.

There's an old joke about a kid who was like four years old before he said anything, at which point he said, "Mother, this bacon is not crisp enough." Mother was flabbergasted and said, "You can talk! Why didn't you say anything before?" The kid replied, "Everything was fine before."

Answer 8

This age level is not within the normal range of speech acquisition. She should be speaking in at least two to four word sentences by now. If not, you should seek help from a speech/language pathologist. Contact your local school district for an assessment.

Answer 9

My best friends kid is 3 years old and it isn't so much that she can't speak, but its that you can't understand her. Her daughter has 2 to 3 different but distinct speech impediments and is having to go through speech therapy both by councelor and exercises my friend has to do with her. Plus+++ in the meantime my friend and her entire family are learning sign language because of the frustration her daughter endures not being able to be understood.

Answer 10

I would talk to her pediatrician.
My daughter will be 3 in July and her conversations are literally babbles. No consonants or vowels. However, she does ask, what's that, where's so and so but still not like she should be.
When i spoke to her pediatrician she said she isn't hearing impaired or seems to have vocal issues but since my daughter was born a month early and developed later than most babies it would be best for us to take her to a speach therapist.
So i recommend speach therapy.