NEED Advice on Communication Issues with 21 Month Old, and Coloring

My oldest son was late talking and had speech therapy at about 4 yrs. old, I could be wrong but it wasn't after age 4, and he is now fine and talks with no problem. I think boys are slower sometimes at talking and especially the first child if, as was my problem, I knew what he wanted before he had to ask or speak. I wouldn't panic yet if I were you.
As for coloring, some kids don't like it. Some prefer to do other types of things and color only if they are asked to later. I think at this age you have time to wait and let him play and enjoy being a little boy before you get too concerned. Remember I may not like to do certain things even now that someone else does and finds enjoyable. I would say he's young and not ready. Maybe he never will like coloring and would prefer running a car on the floor for now.

My son didn't talk when he was 15 months old and at 18 months we started speech therapy. I did teach him a couple of signs (for "more" and some other things which I forgot now) but we sort of abandoned the signing when I started to focus more on his needing to talk. The signing did alleviate some of his frustrations, though. He's still getting speech therapy and he's 5 now.

He's also had occupational therapy for his fine motor skills for about a year now. He never liked to color, but I would suggest encouraging something, anything, to help his fine motor skills - picking up cheerios, sorting small objects (under your supervision, of course, if they could be swallowed) into a muffin tin or egg carton, finger paint, finger paint with shaving cream, things like that. You could probably search online for more ideas. Or, you could play a little copy-cat game with a marker/crayon - you draw a line, and then he can try to draw a line, or you scribble really fast and then he can mimic you, then you can try to scribble real slow, and he can copy.

Have you checked into the First Steps program? The program will provide speech or occupational therapy if your son qualifies (ie, meets the state's guidelines for a certain % delay).

Your pediatrician should also put you on the right track to figuring out what's going on. It's hard when you don't know.

I am going through the exact same issues with my 21 month old son as well. He doesn't talk except for maybe 2-3 words. He does know a few signs though. In order for him to learn a new sign I have to do it EVERY single time I say that particular word. You have to be consistent. In time he'll pick it up.

I am currently in the process of getting him evaluated through First Steps. If they determine he has a 50% delay in his speech/language he will qualify for services. You pay on a sliding scale. I'm also in the process of finding a private speech/language pathologist as well. I've been told that the more frequently your child has therapy sessions in the beginning the better the outcome. Just something to think about. I would look into 2-3 times per week until he starts making some progress.

As for the coloring...my son is not at all interested either. He does like using bingo dotters and stickers. That is the extent of his art projects. You might want to give that a try.
Good luck

S.-

First of all, I want to let you know that it sounds like you are doing everything that needs to be done. Here are my opinions/suggestions:

1. He may just be a late bloomer when it comes to talking. He may be perfectly contenting grunting and grumbling instead of talking. Does he go to daycare or stay at home? I would encourage more time with other toddlers his age (if you have friends with kids) and see if he picks up on their communication skills.
2. There may be a developmental delay - which I think a speech therapist could identify.
3. There could be another delay - I suggest asking your pediatrician. Like a PP said, if there is a hearing loss, it may not be as simple as he doesn't 'want to talk'.
4. I suggest continuing to talk to him throughout the day - explain what you are doing every step of the way. Give him options - this or that? And he may only pick one or the other but at least you know he's hearing you/paying attention to you. Read, read, read. Sometimes I read to my daughter 1-2 hours a day because she loves it and it's a good relaxing activity!!
5. As far as coloring, it may just not be something he's into. Instead of a coloring book with lines (he may be frustrated that he cannot stay in the lines), give him a blank piece of paper. Instead of crayons, let him use chalk, bingo dobbers, pencils and pens. Also try giving him colored paper and water and a paint brush and let him 'paint' with water. I would not worry about him not liking coloring. It may just not be his thing!

My son is 18 months and is the same way. I know he has had the ability to talk because I've heard him. He used to say the word "ball" all the time. Now its sporadic and often he just says it to say it, rarely in the correct context. He doesn't even address me as mama. He just chases me around and screams when he wants something. My hubby says when I leave the room he will cry and say mama but I never get to hear it. but he hates coloring, playdough, I haven't tried painting in awhile...I'd like to give that another shot but he LOVES music and doesn't play instruments like other kids his age. He actually tries to make music and sometime imitates songs that I play for him. I got him evaluated through Early Steps because we were concerned about autism. but that turned out not to be the case. though he is delayed in communication. I'm concerned but I worry about everything. Its funny, I used to be someone who cared about nothing and then I had Brady and now I worry about everything!!! lol!!!

I wish you the best. I have been in your shoes, My son was evaluated by first steps when he was 21 months old and his receptive and expressive language was at a 9 and 6 months level and I had a 10 month old son who was speaking more then him. First Steps is great, it took awhile, He is now 3 1/2 and speak pretty good but now in school and doing speech therapy twice a week. He threw fits, I'm sure he was just frustrated as I was, he didn't point, his fits were terrible. He still gets mad because I can't understand him sometimes and he uses the wrong words (either instead of too). Keep your patience, they told me when getting milk or something, give him a choice, Milk or juice, dont say do you want milk or jus give milk. Give options for everything. Pronunciate. He still has problems, they wont get better over night but speech therap is great. Coloring, I wouldnt worry to much just yet, my 2 year old doesnt have much interest in it and he was evaluated and said he was just fine. Try colring with sidewalk chalk or markers (the markers that only write on certain paper is great, also there are washable markers from dollar general that are very washable, They wiped off my walls completely without scrubbing) Best of luck.

it could be your just not picking up on the words because they are so hard to understand. my daughter is 17 months old and it is very hard on us because we want to know what she says but you can't hardly understand what she says. she was tongue tied at birth and has mostly grown out of it.

sometimes she will make a noise instead of a word for something she wants or sees. so it could be your son just hasn't figured out how exactly to work his own tongue. I wouldn't worry to much and I do think a speech therapist at this stage is a little to much to soon. Part of the problem could be he isn't comfortable trying yet due to him picking up on your fustration.
when trying to figure out what he wants try getting down on his level to see where he is looking it may make the guessing game easier.

I think you are on the right track, but i would concentrate on the basics and try to stay calm. He will feed off your emotion. If he gets frustrated encourage him that you want to help him so you need to tell me what you want, and if he can't communicate it, say show me. Then praise like crazy when he shows you and give him the correct word. Have you tried water colors? Maybe that would get him started and he will move to coloring later. Or they have really fun toddler crayons, markers, and stamps by crayola that are designed for toddler hands that may interest him more. But I don't think he is behind because he doesn't want to color.

I would make sure my pediatrician understands my concerns and does testing to rule out an issue. It would be so sad if you both are totally frustrated and at this point he is unable to do it. Hearing?...it could be a number of things go to the doctor and Love him.

God Bless,
L.

I think you are on the right track. My now 3 year old didn't talk for a long time. We taught her sign language and though it was slow learning, the frustration slowly decreased. I also had printed out pictures of the kids' favorite things and used them to have the kid point to it and then I would sign the word and then give it to them. It is all about repitition with sign language if you choose that route. He may not sign back right away, but he is watching you sign. All of a sudden he will burst out with signs if you keep it up. You can PM me about sign language and I can help you out if you want to go that route.