Almost Three Year Old Son Doesn't Talk Well Yet.

Hi T.,
My name is K.. My son will be 4 in April and he is very similar your son. He is currently in Head Start and he has a Speech Therapist. I believe with my experience with him is partly due to older siblings talking for him. However I also feel that he might have a slight hearing problem as well. That can really put a damper on how a child will develop with speech. On the other hand, they say that children do develope at different times than others. Good luck. K.

Boys do learn to talk more slowly then girls. Work with him to get him to say what he wants instead of possibly pointing, and grunting. Don't do it to the point of frustration. Just keep trying. Every time he wants something try once or twice to get him to say what he wants. Tell him to use his words. Good luck! I'm sure it's very frustrating for you, and it will be for him too. Persistance is the key.

Have you considered getting him evaluated by a speech pathologist? They have a very objective criteria to identify if your child has any developmental issues.

Hi T.
What does your pediatrician say? Any ear infections on a regular basis? My godson had slurred speech and pointed to whatever he needed at the age of 3. He suffered many ear infections and ultimately had to have tubes put in his ears at this age as well. He had about 80 percent hearing loss at this point. Since the surgery and some speech therapy, I am happy to say he is speaking loud and clear. Check his ears and good luck!

It can never hurt to have him evaluated by birth-to-three. They come to your house and do a complete developmental assessment. they'll let you know if he qualifies for services and, if he does, he'll receive them in your house for no fee until he's three (at which time the school system takes over). If needed, early intervention can save much time catching up later. No shame in asking for help, as you know.
-N.

My son is 3 and has spoken in clear coherent sentences since he was 2. So it isn't a boy thing. I would talk to your pedi about it. Maybe he should be seeing a speach coach. There are lots of programs out there that are free. Look into what is available in your area.

My twin girls didn't start talking at all until they were about 3. Not a word. Not even "mommy" or "daddy". If they wanted something either mom or dad or their 3 older sibling would get it for them. If they wanted something to drink they would stand in front of the refrigerator and grunt until someone opened it and got them some juice. If they wanted something to eat they would do the same thing or point to their mouths until someone gave them something to put in it. If they wanted a toy they would point to the toy box until someone found the right toy. I took them for evaluation and the therapist told us to stop playing their game. It was hard but we did it. Within a few weeks they were talking up a storm. and haven't stopped talking since! They are 25 years old now!

Have you had him evaluated? I had my son evaluated at 2 years of age and he was receiving speech therapy until this past December 31st and he turned 5 in January. He had some oral motor deficiencies and the speech therapy did wonders for him. Most places once you are three you have to go through your school district so check that out and have him evaluated. I hated to hear this excuse but boys are lazy. My daughter who is only 15 months younger than my son has been talking full sentences and conversating since she is 16 months old.

Good Luck
Vikki

It was the same with my youngest, because the need wasn't there. The older siblings brought him anything he wanted without too much need for communication.
My son went from 10 words to full sentences within a month. Also, do you read to him? I found that to be the best way to learn language.
The only other concern could be his hearing. You may want to have your Dr. check that..
good luck !

my son is 2.5yrs and he isn't speaking that well either. His pediatrician told me to call early intervention. It's a free program offered by the health department up until 3yrs of age and then by the school district from 3-5yrs. It's a free evaluation of your child to see if he/she is at the level they should be in all areas, and you can specify for speech. If he/she isn't at the level they should be they can qualify for free therapy. My son is getting evaluated this week. Hope this helps.

My two year old was only saying about 10 words at his 24 month checkup. Our pediatrician asked us to have him evaluated. He is child number 3 of four and I thought he was just lazy. Our Birth to Three Program detected a language and gross motor delay. He is receiving speech and language services once a week. He was, however tested for hearing issues and thankfully had none but if there are chronic ear infections or a hearing issue it impacts the way kids hear sounds and I would start there.

I am a former teacher and missed some signs with my own child.

T. ,
I am a childcare director and have seen speech delay often. i am a firm believer in getting a speech evaluation done the sooner the better. This can only help aleviate frustraion for you and your son. The speech therapist will also give you techniques to use to enhance his speech.Please don't hesitate to ask me any other ?'s. Good luck!! J. M

Hi T., I have the same problem with my 4 yr old son. Its okay. They have schools for that. It took me awhile to find the school. I first put him in speech for 2 days for a half hour class. Now hes in school and he improved so much. Did your son have alot of ear infections when he was younger? Mine did that was the problem plus in the back of his trought its very lazy. I had him checked for his ears and his trought. Have anymore questions just ask me.

Boys sometimes talk later than girls. I have three boys and have never talked as well as my nieces. They would much rather do other things. They are often better at physical activities. If you are really worried ask your pediatrician if he should be tested. Their are excellent programs in the schools for speech delays.

I think you should discuss this with a pediatrician asap.

You have a point that it could just be learned helplessness. Needless to say you probably want to get him on his feet and walking and talking soon. What does your pediatrician say? I would talk to them first, but I am a special education teacher, and what a lot of parents don't realize is that you are entitled for the disrtict to pay for services from the moment your child is born. They would rather intervene early and get a problem resolved than wait until later. If your doctor has some concerns, than contact your local special education parent teacher association and see what can be done. Probably an evaluation has to take place first, and they would determine if their is in fact a problem. If there is they would start him on some type of therapy... again that is covered by the district. If the district blows you off (which they have a tendancy to do), be the squeaky wheel. No other place more does the squeaky wheel get the oil than with special education.
Good luck, I hope everything turns out okay.

T.,
Have him evaluated for speech issues.
My son, now 6 1/2, had severe speech issues and would not have learned to talk without the right intervention. Depending upon where you live you would either go through the county or your school district. The initial recommendatin should come from your pediatrician. Get the evaluation done. It might be nothing, but better to be safe then sorry. The evaluation is not invasive or painful in anyway. If he needs the support of a speech therapist starting earlier is better.
Call your Dr today, see how it works in your area.
Let me know how he does.
S.