My 4 year old nephew doesn't seem to respond?

Question

When you talk to him....he will if you press him to answer any specific questions....but you have to ask around 3 times....his hearing is fine. He was premature but his twin sister seems far more talkative...she was bigger at birth. He also drools quite a bit and my sister always says "Dont drool you're not a baby!" but I dont think he can help it....he is hard to understand when he talks. and often looks a bit vacant although he plays happily with other kids and at home..I am worried...what do you think?

Angie...this is true! His sister does loads for him! She always tells him when and how to do things....thanks!

Answer 1

some times one twin gets lazy because the other twin does every thing for them, like talking and helping them do things, so watch to see how much the girl takes control of situations otherwise your sister could seek advice from her health visitor

Answer 2

Get a professional to assess the child. He could be perfectly normal. Some children are slower than others. Some drool longer than others. My child did all those things. And is still a bit behind others his own age. He had trouble speaking when others his own age were far more verbal, so we took him for speech therapy. It worked a miracle! He was 4 years old and could only say one or two words. After a few months of therapy, he began to speak like he should. We'll never know why he couldn't find this ability on his own, but we're thankful that he did, with the help of others. If you're at all concerned, ask a doctor to help you figure out whether you have a real problem or not. It always pays to do it sooner than later. Children respond quicker the younger they are. I wouldn't wait too long to see if they develop what they should be developing. There is a point where you have to face the fact that something could be wrong. So don't guess. Get help! Good luck!

Answer 3

If his twin sister is very talkative he may be quiet just because he doesn't get a chance to talk, or doesn't think its necessary. If you sister is concerned she should schedule him an appt. to have some developmental screening done. This can usually be done through your local school district. He will need to have a preschool screening done anyway to start kindergarten next year. If he's not in a preschool program yet, that would probably help too.

Answer 4

He is drooling becuase he isn't talking much - saliva build up and has to escape somehow so I wouldn't worry about that issue.

But the lack of talking and respone could be cause for concern. I would urge your sister to seek the advice of a health visitor or someone at his nursery.

Answer 5

I have to say it sounds like he may just be used to his sister doing too much for him some twins get like this if they have a their sibling doing things for them, i have twins also they are nine now and my twin son has severe autism non verbal also, its very rare if there is autism present that it wouldn't have been discussed by the lads nursery teacher or problems of any sort, as you say he does play where as my twin son has never played with anyone not even his twin sister, its OK for you to raise concerns with your sister but he is her child therefore its down to her to seek help if needed, i did see someone mention autism but i have to say that autism is not just about lack of speech its a lot more than this.

Answer 6

hi sorry about this but i have 2 wear hearing aids even though i can hear most things . but courld'nt speak prppaly when i was younger . so my mum took me docters and from there i got sent to speech therpey . and he courld be autistic but very unlikely like 2% .also girls are much more mature athan boys when younger. i also had to have 4 gromits operations to my ears . there very small op's about 10~15 mins . but your nephew might only need speech therpey. your a good woman and aunty. im 18 by the way if you want to keep in touch . bye

Answer 7

he sounds a bit slow to me.my grandson is too though his mom and dad fail to do anything about it.they will not even admit what is wrong but it is obvious he went to pre school 2 years before kindergarten and had to go to summer school this year to go into second grade.it is a game really the school and his parents know he is still behind and not learning!!! i blame my daughter and her ex-husband who has custody of the kids.in his case he was not premature but i believe and so does the rest of the family that his mom and dad did drugs during the pregnancy and around the child after his birth.they are embarrassed by him but too selfish to admit the problem is their fault!!!i am sure that is not your nephews problem and he probably has parents who care enough to help their son.i suggest they take him to his doctor for a checkup or maybe speech therapy.good luck.

Answer 8

It does sound like he may have some sort of developmental delay. If you are in the U.S. contact your local school district. They are in charge of assessing children over 3 years of age and determine if he might need speech therapy or a special preschool classroom.

Answer 9

i honestly would "borrow" him for a day, and i would make an appointment with his pediatrician just to have him tested. it sounds as if he might be slightly autistic. my husband's cousin (he's 6 yrs old) is slightly autistic. he doesn't respond to his name unless you call him like 3 times. he doesn't talk much and he doesn't show emotions. but you would never think he was autistic unless someone told you. because he plays with other kids very well...

so the best thing to do is to have him tested.

Answer 10

Ask to go to their next well child check and mention it in front of the Dr's.