Talking

Relax. He will talk when he is ready. My second son was saying a few words and then stopped until well after 2 1/2. My 18 mth old is saying more then he ever dreamed of! You will be amazed when he just decides to talk. I had 3 kids in 3 years and know what you are going through, just enjoy them they learn without us realizing it and above all take time for YOU!

T.,

I am actually a speech therapist and am happy to know that you are concerned about your little one. I would definitely talk to your peditrician and perhaps bring up getting referred to a speech pathologist. By two, you are really looking for a child to be putting two words together and having a consistent vocabulary of at least 50 words, which it doesn't sound like he does. Instead of flashcards, I would recommend books - let him pick them out - and don't push him to repeat you. Just read the books and ask simple questions and see if he responds (i.e. where's the bird - he may just point for now, which is fine). Also, to encourage language in general, narrate what you are doing all day even with your other children. Look, mommy is making your lunch...and explain what you are doing. Just use regular words. You can also encourage him to speak by giving him choices - do you want milk or juice and try to get him to say SOMETHING even if it doesn't sound like "milk" or "juice" before giving it to him. You can easily do this with toys (the red one or the blue one).

I hope this helps a little. You can also check out some basic speech-language information at ASHA.org (the American Speech-Language Hearing Association website). You can also see about having him evaluated and possible see a speech therapist from the county. I would contact your local elementary school and they should be able to swing you in the right direction.

What does your Pediatrician say?

At our 18 mo check up my son was only saying 6 words, we were referred to a speech therapist - turns out he's just going to be a slow talker but the checklist they sent us was:

Child's Age?
How many words can your child say?
only child? if not what rank does child have (1st, 2nd, etc)
Attend daycare?
How often do you read to child?
Do you have conversations with your child? (actually sit down, look child in the eyes and talk to him)?
Do you play games with child (ball, chase, trucks, blocks, etc)?
Does child seem to have trouble with hearing?
Any ear infections? If so how many in past year?
Any problems with mouth formation (dental problems)?

Again, I'd ask my pediatrician - he/she knows your child better and can better tell if a specialist is needed.

I would definitely talk to the child's pediatrician if you haven't already. It may be that he isn't learning from the flash cards, or that he's just a late bloomer. However, with all the talk out there of autism (and many of these children are high functioning) and ADHD, the only person that can rule these things out is a pediatrician that has actually seen your child. I'm not saying this to scare you by any means- but my daughter wouldn't answer to her name for the longest time. I went to her doctor, and she ran a few tests. It cost me all of $40, but the relieve I felt when was told that she was having trouble hearing because of a stream of colds- priceless. good luck.

I am having the same problem! My son is 21 months old and only says the first letter of words, mama, dada, and jabbers a lot. I have been worried about my son too. He is very smart though and can point to things and follow directions really well. I also have a 9 month old so it sounds like we're a lot alike! (-: I will keep checking your request to see if there are any good suggestions.

T., what does your pediatrician say? I have a friend who experienced the same thing with her son and they diagnosed him with Ashberger syndrome. It is a form of autism. But, before you get worried, it is a very mild case and can be treated with the right meds. Don't let a pediatrician tell you it's ADHD until you have a second opinion. Ash good luck and hope it works out to be nothing.

my son is 22 months, and doesn't say much, but he does like communicating, so I began basic sign language with him early (although now is good time to start with yours as well). This opens up the lines of communication. The words that my son does speak are all words he was signing first. I always say the word as I sign it. Since it is easier to use the hands to speak than the tongue, he first signed the word and then begun to say it. There are books out there with toddlers signing, he loves those, and on the internet there are sites where you can type in a word and a person will show you the sign. My son Eden has come up with his own version of the sign and this works as well. It is not time consuming in the least, you just have to get into the habit of signing a word or two as you talk. Hope this helps.

I went through this with my Ryan, who will be four in September. He is my first child and I was beyond worried that he wasn't saying things. He didn't even really babble either. It was just, nothing.

My thoughts went crazy as to what could be wrong. Reasons ranged from the fact that he was a boy, the first child, a late bloomer, etc. I had tests done and even did speech therapy. My doc told he would talk when he was ready and he was right.

I was surprised at the things he said for the therapist that he did not say for me. Sometimes it takes someone else to bring it out. As long as he has not had many ear infections or any other health issues, I would say that it's probably too soon to start worrying. For us, Ryan didn't really start talking until he was closer to three.

I would see what your pediatrician says and maybe have a hearing test just to be sure.

And I agree with the "put the flash cards away!" advice. He is much too young to teach things too unless it is in a fun environment for him. When I approached Ryan's teacher about the things I could do at home for him (and he's almost four) she said not to push anything now. If we are playing and I want to explain things to him to make things interesting, I could do that, but their attention span just isn't up for that kind of stuff yet.

I agree - flash cards are a bit much. however, I do remember my pediatrician telling me (My son dind't say a word until he was 20 months) that once they reach 2, if they are not talking, that they might need their hearing checked.

I would mention it to the doctor at your son't next visit, but otherwise I don't think it's a huge issue.

WOW!!! You've got your hands full!!! Whenever I took my kids to the store we'd say little things like cheese, drinks, and fries that helped alot. The kids also like to watch Blues Clues, Dora The Explorer, and Go Diego Go that helps alot too!!! Good Luck,
M.

My background is in this field. Your post reminded me of one of my favorite books: "Einstein Never Used Flash Cards!" You son is probably just bored with this activity. Most young kids don't need or want to learn in this way. The absolute best way for him to learn language is by interacting with you on a daily basis. Take your kids for walks, talk about what you see, talk about the things he likes to do, etc. You might want to cut down the TV, too. A recent study showed kids who watched so-called "learning" videos actually had a smaller vocabulary.

Feel free to e-mail me through this site if you want to talk about it some more.

Hi T.,

I just told someone about my nephew that didn't speak until he was three! He is now the VP of Domestic Sales for an international tennis shoe company. There is nothing to worry about.

I will say though that the television was a marvelous thing 30 years ago and before... but now it offers toooo much stimuli. Try keeping it off except when necessary. A special program for him or family time. We got rid of our TV 4 years ago and my girls read all the time now. (They were not happy at first and tried to manipulate me to get it back in the house but persistance paid off. I was not really happy either but I faked it well!!) My Lydia was diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. She now doesn't have the diagnosis. Removing the TV and removing the toxins from the house did it. The chemicals that most people use to clean with are mostly neurotoxins. Clorox was invented during wartime as nerve gas. Windex and Pledge are two of the most dangerous and then you compile it with the chemicals we put on them....the baby wipes,the lotions, Johnson and Johnson Baby Shampoo has Quaternium-15 in it that is a known cancer causing agent.

Let me know if you'd like to talk and I'll tell you everything we did. My cell is ###-###-####. Feel free to call anytime.

I hope this helps and I wish you well.

First of all, relax. It's not unusual for a two year-old boy to have few words. In my preschool class last year of ten two year olds, only one of the boys (the oldest, who was almost three) talked. Next, either eliminate television or reduce it to no more than one hour a day. Studies have shown a direct correlation between the amount of time young children spend in front of tv and attention deficit disorder. Even "educational" shows like Baby Einstein DVDs have been demonstrated to have zero positive effect, and more likely a negative effect on preschool learning. Look online for those studies and read more in-depth about that. Lastly, ditch the flash cards. Two year olds don't relate to the abstract. They understand what's concrete. Name the objects he points to and put it in his hands. Repeat the word many times. Good luck, and don't worry. Your baby will talk, just like he walked. His language skills will bloom this year, and explode between age 3-4.
C. at Loving Hands Family Child Care

for starters. You are the mom and you have to know that you are in charge! 1. Turn the television off. 2. Use television as a small reward AFTER he cooperates with your flash card routine. 3. Talk to him all day!

Flash cards!! He's two! Two year olds are by their nature VERY active. Enjoy your baby and don't worry about trying to "teach" him anything. Put those cards away for a few years.

He's only 2....try not to expect too much too soon. I'm a mom and my younger son didn't speak until he was 3 and a half... now he's very articulate and in the gifted program in 5th grade. Different children develop at different paces. I'm also a children's counselor specializing in children ages 2 -11 so I see this all the time. Maybe he will express himself musically, through art, through sand and water play... learn his "language." By the time he is 3 if he is not speaking at all, you can contact the county (depending on your county) and most counties do a free assessment. If they see any signs of early developmental issues, they'll catch it and get him into county sponsored support once he's in preschool. In Cobb County they send occupational therapists and speech therapists into even private schools and childcare facilities to work with children who qualify for services. If I can be of further help, I'll be happy to help - just email me directly.