2 1/2 Year Old Does Not Talk??

Does he have good receptive language skills? Does he understand everything they are saying? Does he easily follow one step commands? Two step commands? My son didn't speak but his lack of receptive language was really the cause for concern.

Gently approach the subject. While no one wants to hear that there is something wrong with their child, they will appreciate it in the long run, especially if they are able to receive free help. ECI is a great place to strart, but remember that every school district is required by the state to provide free services for children starting at age three who have special needs, including a speech delay.

V.

They need to get him to ECI, it is free until a certain age, and a therapist can help them. Early Childhood Invention, there doctor can refer them, or they maybe able to can as well.

C., as almost everyone has mentioned, ECI is wonderful. they worked with my son when he stopped talking at about 2 yo. then they got him into preschool at 3 yo. he has been since diagnosed with asperger's syndrome (a form of autism) but that doesnt mean that is your case. it is just a possible scenario. i would recommend speaking up now before it is too late. the earlier it is dealt with, the better it will turn out. good luck

If you haven't heard it enough already.... get them to take him to ECI, it's free. Maybe say, they can test him and if he needs any help then he can go to free pre-school (the bus will even pick him up!) which should sound great to her with a new baby on the way.

Look up Apraxia on the internet. It's when the brain can't tell the mouth to speak. I have a friend who has a 3.5 year old and she as Apraxia. Her brain has to be retrained to speak. It is a long process, but she will speak one day. All she does he make noises and has never uttered a word. Please look into this b/c the younger they are the better to correct.
There is tons of info on the internet...please help this child!
www.apraxia-kids.org

We experienced the same thing last Thanksgiving when we visited my brother, sister inlaw and their 3 kids in Colorado. With my brother, you can't say ANYTHING without him taking offense and shuting down. In our case, it was my mother who gently spoke to my brother and his wife seperately. I think you should say something and you may have to say it a couple of times. I can tell this is coming from your heart not judgment and you may to say that outright. Put it in terms of how you would feel initially if someone were saying this to you. If there were something wrong and you never said or did anything you will never forgive yourself. Maybe you could find some articles or reference materials to share with them as a way to ease into the conversation.

In my our case my sister in law did finally take my nephew to the doctor. His compreshenion (sp) levels were good. He loves to work puzzles and follows instructions well. The doctor advised my brother and sil to make him use words to communicate. They started doing that and he has made progress. he is now 4 1/2. Doesn't talk as much as his older brother but he is speaking alot more. Take care. and keep us posted.

C., MY SON DID THE SAME THING,BUT AS LONG AS HIS PARENTS JUMP FOR HIM AND DON'T MAKE HIM TALK HE WON'T. MY DOCTOR TOLD ME IT CALLED LAZY BABY SYNDROME. IT MAY BE SOMETHING ELSE IN HIS CASE, BUT THEY REALLY NEED TO TRY ASKING HIM WHAT HE WANTS AND DON'T TRY GUESSING MAKE HIM SAY IT.IF THEY REPEAT THIS SEVERAL TIMES, HE WILL EVENTUALLY ANSWER THEM, BECAUSE IT GETS WHAT HE WANTS FASTER.

He needs to be evaluated by ECI. My son has some special needs, and I knew something was wrong, but couldn't get my ped or his teachers to see it. I was actually relieved when a summer teacher told me what she saw and what to do!!

You should probably approach your son first unless you have a close relationship with his wife. Explain to him that early intervention is best for EVERYBODY!! It depends on the person, I'm sure, but being first time parents, they may welcome the advice.

I hope everything works out for this little boy. You are a great aunt to be so concerned!!

I would definatly have the child evaluated. My child is Autistic and doesn't talk and that is a red flag for that disorder. But that does not in no way mean he has that. But maybe he is just delayed in his speech. Do they read to him often? If not they should. But Good luck.

hi my name is V.. my daugther actually didnt say a word till 3. she always pointed and would just make a noise to say what she wanted..my dad actually gave her the nick name "seal" cause of the sound she would make to get waht she wants. I also got her checked and everythin was fine. i sometimes would get so frustrated to where i would say "what is it". and after i didnt get what she would be sayin she would stop trying. i learned that being patient helped. also when she would point at things i would say the word even if she did not repeat it. as time went by i would just keep repeating words and i also stopped baby talkin her wich i did alot. i was told that wasnt helpin her.

I have 3 boys, 8 year old, 5 1/2 year old and a 4 1/2 year old. My middle son does not talk much and when he gets happy about something he will stutter sometimes. He is talking more everyday. Then on the other hand my 4 1/2 year old talks too much sometimes. I think that we just need to give them some time. I know that if you let him watch Barney it motivates them to talk and learn more. My oldest and youngest watched Barney but my middle child will not set down and watch it.

Thanks,
V. J.
Mom of 3 boys!!

ECI if free and a wonderful resource. But act now because once the child turns 3 years old he is no longer eligible for the program. Maybe if his parents knew there was a time limit for this help, they may be more prone to respond.

I agree that he needs to be seen by someone. At 2.5yo he should be talking some, at least. My son is almost 2 and says every word you throw at him. It's sad, but way to many parents just don't know how to encourage speech. If he's getting what he wants without needing to say words, than he can just be lazy and not try. Some people are just not aware that they need to teach him how to talk, just like they taught him how to walk.

you might have them to talk to their doctor for local resourses, when my son was that age he was the same way. I was told I anticipated his needs and he didn't need anything from anyone else, I was a stay at home mom... They did a hearing test to make sure that was okay and then we had ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) come into our house and work with him a speech patholigist and it was All Free :) At age three he transitioned into the public school twice a week and met with their speech patholigist all which was free. He is 8 now and doing great! Hope this helps..

You have to say something. Like everyone says, the earlier the intervention the better. We used ECI. It's free if you have insurance, if you don't, it is a very low cost, based on family income. It could just be a speech delay, but if it is something more you will regret not having said something. No one has mentioned the possibility of autism. That's why my son was not talking. He gestured and grunted for what he needed. He is very low on the spectrum (which is good) and most people would not know he is autistic if it were not for the lack of speach. I certainly would not mention autism to your family at this point. I only mention it to you because if that is the case early intervention is extremely important. You have a very small window of opportunity at this early age when autism is involved. ECI will only take children up until age 3 and at 2 1/2 they start the process of having the child evaluated for services through the public school when the child turns 3 years. Don't wait-you have to get going on this. If your brother and sister are mad at you at first, let them be, they will get over it and thank you later.

Good Luck
N.

C.,
Hi. My son was the same way. It turned out that he got what he wanted without the need to talk. My son would point to the fridge when he was hungry, and we would get him something to eat. He would point to his sippy cup when he was thirsty, and we would get him something to drink. And so on and so on. Anyway, since you stated that your nephew makes sounds and his mom and dad respond...perhaps he has learned as my son did that there is no reason for him to speak. As soon as we started insisting my son use words, he was speaking clearly and often. Hopefully that is all it is. Good luck.
J.