Does anyone else have a 2 1/2 year old with language delays?

Question

My son is 31 months old, and knows a lot of words and can repeat back almost any words that are said to him, but seems to have a limited comprehension of what is being said to him. He does not speak full sentences, and can not carry on any kind of meaningful conversation, other than saying what he wants, or doesn't want. i.e. "want milk", or "no night night". I have an appointment with his pediatrician, but in the meantime, I am just curious as to what other parents are experiencing with chidren in the same age range, as far as speech and language are concerned.

Answer 1

My son who is now turning 6 had a speech delay. At 2 1/2 he was saying very little. he couldn't put two words together and most of the time couldn't repeat what we would ask him to say. It was extremely frustrating for both of us. After talking it over with my pediatrician i decided to put him in speech therapy. he went 3 days a week for a half an hour for 9 months. He is now in kindergarten talking as much as all the other students. So my advice is to talk to your pediatrician and speech therapy was our blessing!!!!

Answer 2

My child is 2 1/2, too and she has this same delay. She can't hold conversations and she will say things like your son says. She'll say "no, not night night" or if she wants a cup of milk she'll just say "baba milk". (she calls all her cups and sippy cups babas still..lol). She can repeat every word back that you say to her as well.

To be perfectly honest, you shouldn't worry about this. Don't let anyone tell you he has a problem. He is just developing these skills at a later rate, like my daughter is. In fact, he may have the skills already but is just stubborn (which is a great quality). Just keep working with him, read to him talk to him often. He probably understands you, although it may not seem like it, and is just going to talk completely when HE feels like it and when HE is ready.

If you are concerned, your pediatrician will give you a few numbers, I'm sure that will help him. Just don't let anyone tell you that something is wrong with him because he won't talk that way forever. He's just developing at his own rate.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Boys are generally slower at developing speech than girls. If he can follow instructions such as ' get your drink cup' or 'pick that toy up', then he is fine. My 3 1/3 year old boy still misses some words in sentences and he has really only been talking more in the last 5 months since he has had more exposure to a neighbours boy aged 6 years. Mind you tho he still doesnt talk to me much unless he wants something. He also still doesnt get some concepts such as before and after, eg you can have it after dinner, later and why(thank god). I personally wouldnt worry unless he still cant form a sentence by the time he goes to preschool. Also i think exposure to kids slightly older does help to speed up lingual skills. Maybe ask him to say the full sentence before he gets what he wants eg 'i want a milk'. Good luck and dont worry too much, everything is just a guide as to where kids should be developmentally but they are all different as are the guides.

Answer 4

Both my kids spoke in complete sentences around the age of two years and five months. I'm a stay- at- home mom. I spoke to both my sons in one language from when they were babies. (I speak 5, but I chose to speak one language to them, because my little sister was very confused growing up with so many languages thrown at her). I also read to my kids every day from when they were infants ( I still do) and never ever talked to them in baby language.
Your pediatrician will give you more specifics when you go to your son's appointment.
Children with autism for example don't converse with others (avoid eye contact... or don't react at all when being addressed verbally).... and have a very limited vocabulary at the age of 2 1/2, which is why parents are supposed to consult a pediatrician when speech delays are obvious at this age.
Your son seems to be fine.... but good you will see his pediatrician.

Answer 5

I would reccomend getting your son tested by the early start program in your area, as someone else suggested. They can test him and the state will pay for a therapist to come to your house. My daughter is 2 and she is very delayed (only says about 20 words), never says 2 word strings like "want milk" or anything. She's been in therapy for about 2 months now. It's extremely slow progress but at least I know I"m doing all I can for her. I hate when people tell me she'll talk eventually, they don't see the frustration in her eyes when she can't communicate.

Answer 6

I do and i know what you are going through. My son will be three in may, and just not is starting to say two or three words together. I did take him to his pediatrician and said that he seems to be doing fine, but is going to give him a test at his check up when he is 3. That is the # for talking. If at three his vocabulary is not up to par, she is going to recommend a program called first steps. You may want to look into that a head of time or ask your pediatrician about it when you go.

Answer 7

Don't worry, boys are a lot slower at talking than girls. I was going to take my 4 yr old son to a speech therapist when he was about 2 1/2 but my mom told me to wait. I did, and now he won't shut up!! He'll start talking when he's ready! Also, remember, if you are gonna say everything for him, why should he talk right now? Sometimes it's just laziness, which I'm sorry to say, they don't grow out of!! :)

Answer 8

I remember my friend's brother. He never said a word at three years old. He was the fourth child in the family, so he had older brothers and sisters ministering to his every desire.

One day his Mother found him outside when he didn't know she was coming. he was speaking to the car or the dog, I forget which. Everyone had worried about him so much, but he just was content to have everyone ask "Would you like some...?" and be very quiet.

All children are different. It is good to get him checked in case there is problem.

Answer 9

A list of certified speech-language pathologists in your area may be obtained by calling the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) toll-free HELPLINE at 1-800-638- 8255.

Answer 10

Contact early intervention....they helped with my son! he is almost 2 and his daycare thought he had delays but turns out he was just shy there!