Can someone give me some good info on where a 2 year old is supposed to be in terms of language, cognitive, and verbal development?
I think my son is average, smart enough, but it seems he is really being passed by by other kids his age, and I am growing very concerned. I haven't been very good with ped visits because we are cared for by a family friend. But this friend is not a ped. I am in the process of looking for one, but would like some info and some comfort in the mean time.
He speaks, and strings words together, but maybe only has 75 words or so he uses regularly. He seems to understand everything I say, but is really more of a 'do-er'. He is very active, very coordinated, and quite strong, but not so verbal. We tried to teach him sign language, and he understood it but never used it-- until just now he uses it for please and thank you!
I'm feeling like a bad mommy for not monitoring this more, for not working with him more, or for not noticing earlier if he is behind..... but I was really just wanting to let him learn and develop on his own. Some of my friends make me feel embarrassed when they ask him old he is, and he can't say, or won't talk to them when they ask him to.
any support or info would really be welcome here-- I'm feeling over my head!
http://www.kidcentric.com/developmental-checklists/
http://www.nncc.org/Child.Dev/mile2.html
these sites might help you out!
I really wish I'd known about Early Intervention when I had questions about my own son. I've heard nothing but good things. This site may help you find the location near you: http://www.wiu.edu/providerconnections/links/CFCList.html . Also, Easter Seals provides Early Intervention services in some areas.
If you are concerend here are some webistes for early intervention that might help. It sounds like your son is right where he should be. Maybe he just doesn't want to respond when people ask his age. In any case, you can get him tested for speech just to make sure. Good luck!
http://www.uic.edu/hsc/dscc/
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/spec-ed/html/sped_early_child...
If you are concerned, you can contact the Early Intervention services located within your county (it is a program funded by the state). They will come to your house and do an evaluation. If your son is delayed, they will provide him services at your home or day care center. The cost is usually very minimal, much cheaper than if you were to seek out private speech therapy services. They other route you could take is to have him evaluated in a private speech and language clinic. Sometimes, your insurance will pay for the evaluation and/or a set amount of therapy sessions. Finally, I would recommend that you find a pediatrician that you really like. Most pediatricians will allow you to "interview" them before making a decision. I would highly encourage you to act sooner rather than later. As special education teacher, I can tell you that the sooner treatment and intervention begins, the quicker you will see the delays lessen. At the age of 2, a child learns so quickly. If someone is working with them, that gap will start to dominish. Good luck!
Hi C.. If I remember correctly, my Pediatrician asked us if our daughter knew 50 words and could use a two-word phrase at her 2-yr check-up. If this is the case, your son is well beyond the developmental milestone!
I remember also being concerned around age 2 that my daughter was not keeping up with her peers. My Pediatrician told me something that made me feel much better: the children who seemed so far ahead of my daughter (they could already identify letters, they were speaking some Spanish, etc.) were the ones watching the most television! There is plenty of time for your son to "catch-up" on all the basic learning that will occur as you play with him, read to him and expose him to life outside of the "boob-tube!"
If your gut is telling you that something is wrong, contact Early Intervention. As all previous posters mentioned, there is no cost or risk to having your son evaluated.
I'm sure you are not a bad Mom! Try your best not compare your son to other children -- stick to your philosophy of allowing your son to develop at his own pace. So far, both you and your son have been happy, right? So why change now?
If you are concerned, there is nothing wrong with having him evaluated by early intervention. It's free, and wonderful!! If he needs therapy, then it's free, if he doesn't, then you have the peace of mind that nothing is wrong with him.
Look on the babycenter.com web site - I remember pulling off a very comprehensive list that development points broken down by months, with columns for typical mastery as well as skills that are emerging in each time frame. I reviewed it in advance of doctor appointments so I was aware of what, if anything, I should bring up. And it was also helpful giving me ideas of things to "work" on with my son....not that I'm drilling with him, but for example, there was a certain age where it said kids should be able to handle going up/down stairs using 1 foot at at time....and I realized that due to being in a 3rd floor walk up, it was just faster and easier to pick my son up....but I wasn't doing him any developmental favors by not letting him practice doing stairs more than i did, etc.
Pediatricians are getting very very good at staying on top of developmental concerns at well visits, so def. get yourself one and be sure he gets a full evaluation!
