2 Year Old Behavior

I have a 2 year old daughter, and we have the same kinds of issues with the talking. I have 3 kids 11, 5 and 2. I had thought her lack of talking also comes from not having to talk - to many people around her know what she needs or wants without having to say a thing. I notice she is talking more and more each day, and really do not see any reason to worry. I think the same with your son, mention it to the Dr. but every child develops different, even within families. My 5 year old at the age of 2 was a HUGE talker - she could talk in sentences. Very different to my 2 year old now.

On your other issue - I have seen my 2 year old daugher do the same thing when she gets upset. She may not do it as often as you have described your son doing it, but I have noticed her do that.

He sounds normal to me! My son had a huge ramp up in speaking ability between 2 and 2.5. Went from individual words to full sentences, and now, approaching 3, he's starting to string thoughts and memories together.

As for your son will say and when, he's still learning quite a bit and at this point, just putting names to the things that he recognizes every day. But do make sure that you don't "enable him". Make him ask for things (not just point) and make him use his words as you interact with him.
I have a 2yo neice who barely speaks, but understands everything around her. It's just that my cousins never make her ask for anything. She can just point or walk over to something and they'll get it for her. As a result, she has yet to utter more than a few individual words or sounds.

As for the teeth clenching, I wouldn't worry. My little dude runs around in circles when he gets so excited about something. Like a dog. And sometimes just does it for fun. Kids have weird quirks.

I think your son sounds normal. If your concerned you can bring it up to his pediatrician. My son did the same thing with the clenching the fists and shaking but has out grown that now and he didnt really start talking with sentences, etc until about 2 1/2. He is now 3 1/2 and does not stop talking. 2 is still young and one day overnight it will seem he will probably start talking more. I would give it a little more time, but definatly bring it up to the doc if you are concerned for you own peace of mind.

My 2 year old does the same exact thing with the fists.
In fact, I just put down a plate with some crackers and cheese for her and she did it...She even makes this little happy noise sound...sort of like YEEEEEEEE.
She's been doing it since around 1..maybe earlier? I just thought it was an excited/happy thing.
As far as the other stuff I don't really know. Mine can't build puzzles, but understands everything, follows directions, able to grasp small objects, and so on, and she doesn't talk a lot. She is just now saying around 50 words. i had to seek the opinion of a different Dr. about it, because I wasn't happy with the first dr's approach to it (if you want to know in detail you can email me).
The second Dr, basically said she thinks it's because she isn't around anyone but me, and I mostly understand her and she knows she doesn't *have* to talk, she also wasn't (at that time <18 months>) around any other kids or in any activities. She told me get her involved with some kids and I should notice a change (which I have, but I know she's still not as verbal as other kids her age sometimes are..on the other hand I have known 2 y/o's that didn't talk at all).
My daughter has an appointment in early March, so we're going to discuss it again. So to me your's sounds close to what mine is doing. =) Hope this helps in some way.

call eci and get him evaluated. sounds like he is fine but they can tell you for sure it is through your school system it mjight be something and it might be nothing. yours is way ahead of mine I think its cause he doesnt have too :)