I am worried about my child's speech development, please help.?

Question

My child is 2 years and 5 months although he is very verbal I can only understand maybe four or five words that he says.

I know all children are different but this is really worrying me. My daughter had a sereve speech problem and did not speek at all unitl she was 3 and half. We had to take her to see numerious doctors and specialists but no one could ever find a reason, I don't want my son to have to go through that and I certainly do not want him to be labelled as special needs like my daughter was. My daughter is now 7 and the special needs label still haunts her although she had never had a difficulty since age 3, in the end we had to change her school. I have always said that if my daughter did have a problem we would welcome any help we could be given but no one ever did help, the teacher just told her she was useless.

My son will start playgroup next term and I am very worried it could all happend again.

Thanks for you answers, it's clear that your children's needs are met far better where you live than in the UK.

Thanks for your reply telling what a special needs label is. Hello, been through hell with it for four years. I know what it is and not all areas are the same. Suggest you don't give a reply if u can't actually help.

Answer 1

This is very hard to "diagnose" over the net, but from what I can tell it may be nothing. My brother in law is 2, my niece is 3 months younger. He says almost nothing, he is very quiet and contemplative. She talks up a storm and is pretty clear and has a huge vocabulary. So it may just be the "children develop at a different rates" scenario. However because you have a child who had speech problems it is possible. I would bring this up w/ you doctor but not be too concerned right now. Your son (it is a boy right?) is still young enough that he can catch up in needed. If he isn't talking by 3 then vigorously pursue speech therapy. I can understand your reservations, what happened to your daughter is wrong! Playgroup may be the best thing for him, to interact with other children and for you to see other kids his age. In the mean time, work with him, encourage him to talk. Watch some kids shows together and point and talk and such.

Also take this up with your babysitter/childcare provider if you are not a SAHM. This may be a problem with childcare. If you are a SAHM, then I know he is getting interaction and the best of care.

Good luck! I will be praying for you all! I hope this helps!

Answer 2

I extremely have a three 3 hundred and sixty 5 days previous in speech remedy. i'd definately keep an eye fixed on it and tell the Dr. about your concerns at your next visit. It under no circumstances hurts to get an evaluation. My son at 2 a million/2 became finding out at a 12-13 month element in speech. I had no theory. he's my third baby and figured an same element he in basic terms couldn't get a note in and anybody became speaking over him. Early intervention works, i became embarrassed before everything questioning it became my fault, even if it isn't. So get him evaluated they help you comprehend.

Answer 3

don't worry i have worked in child care for 6 years with children ages 2 and 3 it not vary common that i have ever been able to understand everything thay say ...it normal for kids to develop speech slowly one thing we do is we use sign language and speaking with the kids that way if i cant understand what thay say there hands do well and the kids don't get frustrated because i have to ask what a million time in fact many of my parents comment on how much more smoothly there house runs when thay know what there child is askin for you can go to your local library and get basic sign books even movies just use some small signs like Moore juice ,milk,restroom,sleepy,help,your every day word for foods and needs it helps alot and as for being labeled with a learning disability its ok ..i have disability's too have had them seance i was a year t dose not mean your child is dumb or handicap ed it means that your little gir learns in a different way and it is better that her teachers know that she is special needs it helps them to help her get the most out of her day at school . hope that helped you are truly blessed to have two kids ..and when you bring a child into this world there are no mistakes

Answer 4

First step is to get his hearing checked. If he has a hearing problem, he is picking up bad speech patterns because that is what he is hearing. I am assuming you already tried this.

I live in PA and in my area a "special needs" label is never a problem or big deal. It entitles the child to whatever assistance he needs and disappears when the issue is resolved. My son needed help with speech when he was in first grade, had 2 years of speech therapy through the school, and then the label was dropped because he no longer needed help. I work with preschool age kids and we encourage parents to let us get the children the label, if needed, because it allows them to receive help through the program. They can start kindergarten already receiving services and because they started so young, the problems are often resolved much earlier. Then they lose the special needs label but it's OK because they no longer need help. Don't fear that label. And remember: you are your child's first teacher and main advocate. Model good speech habits for your child. "Oh, did you say Read to me? Say it one more time for me. Read to me." Praise his efforts "Good try. What story do you want?" Be sure to attend educational meetings. Ask questions, understand his goals and any exercises they are asking him to do, and be an involved parent to get the best possible help for him.

Answer 5

Talk to your Dr. and get him into speech therapy. Or have him evaluated. By age 2 there should be about 50 words that they consistently say, but they don't have to be completely clear. As long as its consistent For instance he may call a dog a woggy but if he always say that word when he sees a dog then that counts toward the 50 words. Has he had a lot of ear infections? It could also be that he has fluid on his ears this really slows down the development in speech. Good luck.