Speech and My 2 Year Old

I have the same problem with my 2 year old boy. but it has been week after his birthday he starts to talk more.
Give her some time,talk more or let her watch more baby einstein

No I don't think its too early. I think the sooner the better, there are target sounds that kids should be making around 18 months and up, and the sooner you get an evaluation the better. My daughter was having annunciation problems and therapy REALLy helped.

Hi,

I have a 3 year old daughter who was delayed in speech. I have a 15 year old son who was ahead of the game in everything at that age. When my daughter was 20 months old and no words I questioned it with my new pediatrian. He immediately gave me the phone # for tri counties regional ctr in Simi Valley and the child development ctr also in Simi. She was evaluated by the therapists speech and everyone else. The immediately put her in speech therapy develpmental therapy and OT therapy. We did 13 months of this 4 times a week and oh how far she has come. One thing the speech therapist did is give her pretzal sticks to eat to see if she was biting with her front 2 teeth or using the back teeth like she should. She was using the front 2. The therapists were absolutely incrediable. I would have your child checked out and evaluated. It's free. The state paid for all her therapy. If I had to make the decision again I would definately make the same one. The only thing it did was help her. You can call tri couties directly google it. Theres a website. It's called early intervention.

She's not too young to evaluate. Ask your ped about the early intervention services that they have in your state and ask for a referral. These services are available free to children under three yrs old, and they take time to get the paperwork through, so you will want to call and get the wheels turning asap. Get her checked out and get whatever speech therapy she qualifies for. She will probably like it, it is very play orientated. My little girl was very reluctant to speak as well and these services helped us. All it took for us was a few months of therapy (playing with her therapist) and me learning how to jump start her talking and she is fine.

This is a tough one. I have been concerned about my son's speech since he was 18 months old. He had his hearing tested twice and passed with flying colors. I had him evaluated by the Regional Center(free by the way) at that time as well. He was found to be just within normal limits. We decided to take him to music classes and took a couple of courses at Children's Hospital Language and Speech Center (8010 Frost Street). This helped us learn to help him vocalize. We are still working with him. He is talking a lot more now, it is just hard to understand him. Daddy eep = Daddy sleep, buy uck = buy truck.

Here are some phone numbers:
California Early Start 800-281-8252
Children's Care Connection, C3 877-8C3-kids

I also have some handouts if you want them. I can fax them to you if you like.

E.

Call Regional Center right away. (You should be able to find the phone no. in the phone book) They will come to your home and evaluate her. My daughter had speech delay and at 2 yrs started speech therapy. Now (she'll be 5 on Sunday) she talks all the time, sometimes a little too much. Regional Center found her a wonderful public preschool too starting at age 3.

Many 2 year-olds have very few or even no spoken words, and usually everything works out fine, however, you do need to get her evalutated and she is not too young. You say that her hearing "seems to be fine". She might be able to hear you talking, but not hearing the full range of sounds the way you and I do, for example. You can only determine this with a complete evaluation. They even have newborn hearing tests these days, so she is not too young.

It is great news that you are using some signs with your daughter. My advice would be to increase the amount of signing you use, as signing is a great tool for stimulating spoken language developmnet. It will help you and your daughter to be less frustrated and will give her more confidence by helping her clarify her meaning when attempting to speak.
Some people worry that signing might delay speech, but actually the opposite is true. In fact, most speech pathologists consider signing to be one of the most useful tools in treating speech delay in young children and would use signing to help increase spoken language development and help reduce frustration.: )

Good Luck!: )
M. (mom to Sirena 8 and Aiden 3)

M. Briant
Sign2Me Presenter, San Diego
Author: "Baby Sign Language Basics" and "Sign, Sing, and Play!"
Phone: ###-###-####
____@____.com
www.babysignlanguage.net

I don't think you're being too paranoid at all. As a mother of a child who was diagnosed with developmental speech delay, I really wished all the mothers who told me not to worry had never said that to me. It caused me to wait until he was 3, and I missed out on the regional center benefits. He went straight into public school special ed because that's what happens after they turned 3. There were so many kids in his class that got extra services that our son did not have.

As it turns out they never could determine the reason for our son's speech delay. He just turned 5 and now they think he's just one of these kids who is super smart and talked late (thank heaven!). He talks a lot more now, but he still isn't talking at his age level.

I would strongly urge you to get an assessment. And be an advocate for your child. This is a confusing road to travel, and you will hear all kinds of labels, diagnosis, opinions, etc. FOLLOW YOUR INTUITION! They tried to tell me my son was autistic, but what I noticed is that he acted autistic with people he didn't like (which was often these strange psychologists asking him questions he wasn't interested in). It's scary when you hear that you child might be autistic, but if your heart doesn't believe it, neither should your head. Follow your gut, and do what you can.

And you know what, it may turn out to be nothing that needs help. I hope it does turn out that way for you...

Take care,
B.

My 2 1/2 yr old doesn't talk very much. My older daughter was a late talker too. I didn't worry too much because by the time she was 3 she talked very well.

I am going to take my 2 1/2 yr old in though, even though her words are starting to come faster. The reason is because the better she talks and understands the easier it will be for her to begin learning letter sounds and reading.

We are also doing this because we are going to take our 8 yr old in for a more in depth hearing evaluation as well. I know they can check hearing at 2 yrs old but my 8 yr old has had her hearing checked over and over, what most evaluations overlook is that just because they can hear a "beep" doesn't mean they can understand words they are hearing.

Hi

When my now five year old was two she could talk up a storm but did not walk till 17 months! She crawled at 12 months. It was a little behind the curve. I took her to therapy in action and helped with toe walking. She loved walking on her toes. After sixmonths of therapy, they decided she was a toe walker. But it helped know from professionals that she was fine and did not need therapy. As an infant, like one month, I would sing and make animal noises to her. I would also take her hand and put it on my throat to show her the vibration of sound. Then I would put her hand on her throat. She really talked very well very early and I attributed it to that. Hope all is well

Yes you are being a bit paranoid, but it's typical of us moms. Relax, they all develop at different times. Just because our kids don't follow the "norm" all the time or the "average" doesn't mean they have a problem. Most times it's just that we are all so unique we sometimes take longer at developing. Heck, I'm a 43 1/2 year old teen myself. ;) When you have teenage kids, it's really hard to stay a teen though, so I've grown up a bit in the last year. It's made me depressed. My two kids are now 14 and 15 and taller than me. The respect and awe I once had is gone. They still love me though and our communication has always been good. I treat them like little humans not some statistic. Everyone is different, capitalize on it! It's a great way to raise little independent adults. Let them know you like their uniqueness.
Happy Holidays! Isn't it great to be a free nation? :)

My third child was the same. At his 2 year appt., I casually mentioned it to the Dr. He went ahead and had my son's hearing and speech evaluated. He checked out fine with some minor speech delay. The speech therapist told me not to worry about it and to just talk to him as much as possible by describing what we are doing. "You're coloring with your red crayon." Let's put on your shoes." She told me to schedule a follow up a few months later, but by that time his speech had exploded and I didn't see the need to go back. I've noticed that while the "charts" say that children should be speaking well by about 2, there are so many kids that hit this age barely speaking, who by age 3 have just about caught up with those earlier talkers. Today, we can't keep our almost 5 year old FROM talking.

If it will help YOU feel better, go ahead and have him checked out when you are able to, but he is probably just as "normal" as the 2 year olds who have been talking for a year already.

Dear L.:
I've worked as a preschool Special Education teacher for a number of years and suggest the following:
1)Observe your child's response to verbal communication from you. Is the response age appropriate? If it is that's a good start. If your child shows frustration with speech communication by acting out with hitting, tantrums, or biting, calm them by squating down next to them and say "Show me" or "Point with your finger" or "Use your words." All of this communication, will help language acquisition.
2)Begin some simple speech therapy. Babies begin with labial sounds and also gutteral sounds. Examples are baba dada mama or gaga goo. Hold the babies hand on your throat/neck and let the vibration of the sound be felt. The same goes for simple words we say by puffing/blowing the letter sound out of our mouths like T and P. Always teach the letter sounds in context of a word. Babies will connect to the sound better and understanding will be greater.
3)Do not talk "baby talk" but simple auditable sentences anyone knowing your language can understand. Always demonstrate clear simple words that are age appropriate for your child. Talking slowly can be helpful. When your child is eager to learn two or three syllable words, continue to hold their hand to your throat or lips to feel how the sound is made AND at alternate times of therapy clap the syllables. Examples are pot-ty = two claps, bed-time = two claps, etc.
4)Studies show girls frequently begin talking before boys. This is not always set in stone. So if you have a child who is a behind by 6 months to an older sibling, don't worry. Practice my suggestions and follow-up with a speech therapist in about a year.
For more question, contact L. Allen directly at ____@____.com

My son was that way. Don't worry too much. As soon as she's in Preschool, ask for her to be evaluated, and she can start seeing a speech therapist for sure then. I think my son was seen in daycare too. I didn't have custody of him then, so I'm a little fuzzy. He's 6 now, in first grade, and we can understand him perfectly. He does still see a speech therapist at the school 3 times a week, but it's to fix his syntax, and a few other things, that I just have to nod and say OK to. I figure, any extra time he gets is OK. If your near Hemet, Ca. pop me an email, we can get together and chat if you'd like. I have a 4 yr old daughter and of course, the 6 yr old boy. ____@____.com

S.

I completely relate to your story. Both of my children (son now 9 and daughter 28 months) did exactly this. My suggestion is to first have the doctor evaluate her to make sure she is doing all the other things she should be doing at this age. If the doctor says everything is fine other than speech delay, you can stop worrying and simply help her along. My 28 month daughter is picking up new words everyday (at her own pace) you cannot compare them to other kids who are talking in sentences and such. If she is very active physically, she will probably get really good at that before she moves on to her speech development. My kids could do things physically far better and earlier than their peers but didn't speak until almost 2 1/2. It's give and take with children. Just read, repeat, encourage and be really patient. It'll come when she's ready. Good luck!

I would hold off and wait 6 months before seeing a speech therapist. it makes sense that at 2 yrs they are too young to evaluate. My now 7 year old daughter was a constant babbler and spoke single words before 2 and right at 23 months, the floodgates opened and she started talking full blown sentences with clear pronunciation.

My now 3 year old son was different. He really didn't talk or even say words, just babbling. Right after he turned 2 1/2, all of a sudden his quiet mumbling/babbling became full blown talking, LOTS of talking about everything. He does not pronounce as well as my older one did at this age, but all babies/kids are different.

In my opinion, for a baby making the decision to speak is a huge step in the way that communicating means that you are showing you understand what is being said, and in some way it is a new form of responsibility and a big big step. Some babies take their time in making this decision. To me it's like potty training. Follow your child's rhythm... I've seen some kids wait till older than 3 yrs. before they really talk. and now that they are older their speech is fine.

hope that helps!

Don't worry. My oldest did the same thing. It was very hard for me to understand her. She used very simple words but was a busy body. At 2 1/2 she finally started busting out in words. She is now 4 and doesn't stop talking. She was a very early walker and was just too busy to talk. My baby is 18 months and completely different. She just started walking at 16 months and communicates so well. Every kid is different. I would say that you are being paranoid. :) I find that with one child you end up comparing them to everyone else's child. At least I know I did. My dear friend had her first daughter one month before I had my first. Her daughter was reading and writing simple words and books by the time she was 2 1/2 so go figure. But then she would panic because my daughter was climbing walls at 18 months and her's was still wobbly. Give her time. She will talk one day then you will want her to be quiet. LOL!

Have you had her hearing checked by a specialist? I had a friend whose daughter had fluid build up in her ears and difficulties hearing because of it. Since she could not hear well she was unable to form sounds correctly and so began talking very late and was speeched delayed for quite some time.

I don't think you should worry just yet...keep talking, singing, and reading to your baby...she'll probably surprise you very soon! Maybe you can join a mommy and me or Gymboree to socialize her with other babies...best wishes!

Does she understand everything you say? My daughter hardly had any words at 2 years old. She didn't walk till 17 months, either. But her vocabulary exploded at around 2 1/2. Now she is 5 and extremely bright.

You are not being paranoid. The speech therapist was out of line saying she is too young to be evaluated. There are birth to 3 programs for a reason. These early intervention programs are designed to provide the help that little ones need. Your pediatrician could provide you with the number of a Regional Center, the government provides the funding if they decide your daughter needs services. I have an almost 3 yr old son who is receiveing services because he had delayed speech. It was the best decision I could have ever made for him. He has made so much progress. Good luck to you no matter how you choose to proceed!

Not at all paranoid...just sensitive and involved! It wouldn't hurt to mention your concern to your pediatrician nor would it hurt to have her evaluated by a pediatric speech pathologist who could tell you if she needs any further intervention and what you could be doing at home to support her language development. She is certainly not too young to be evaluated for her language-I work on a team with speech pathologists who work with children as young if not younger than your daughter. Also, if she does require speech therapy, the speech therapists I have worked with make the sessions so fun for the kids that they don't even realize it's work! Trust your gut and get it checked out. Take care and good luck!

My oldest son who is now 14 and in the 9th grade in high school didn't start making sense to us until he was about 4. I like you was terrified that my son would never be able to communicate with us. I too asked his pediatrician and was told that he was just a late bloomer and the fact that his grandparents spoke nothing but spanish and we spoke to him in english was sort of confusing him and he couldn't make out what language to speak in. I know that in your case the two languages is not an issue but just give her time to develop her vocabulary a little more and she will one day surprise you and will be talking up a storm. Every child develops at a different pace, just let her be and continue to encourage her to speak and she will.

Dear L.,

Thisis one of the hardest times of being a Mom, waiting to hear that beautiful sound of the voice of your darling. Yes, you are worrying way too much. Sometimes they really do not want to talk until they are close to three. We still celebrate everytime our 3 year old grgrandson speaks. He has the voice of an angel and the mind of an engineer and a great sense of humor, and doesn't talk much. But he does talk.

As they say in Mexico, no le apure, don't worry.

C. N.

You aren't being paranoid, you're being a good mom checking all of her bases. I didn't even realize that my daughter was delayed in speech, being that she was our first & no other kids close to her age in surrounding family to compare her to. My pediatrician was the one to notice how limited my daughter's speech was at her 2yr appt, & it sounds like my daughter's word usage was about on par with yours. He actually hooked us up with a place called the Regional Center in Pomona that is absolutely amazing! You have to do a bit of paper work, but they were awesome in providing the testing & referrals that we needed for her. They sent us to have a Behr (Bear?) hearing test which is the most comprehensive b/c they do it after sedating the child & then read the brain wave response to sounds that are heard through head phones. Though they found that her hearing is perfect, she was still recommended for intense speech therapy, b/c she was deemed to be severely delayed. They also provided us with a Mommy & Me preschool from 2-3yrs that focused on speech development that was really great. The good news is that through them, we also have had some fabulous speech therapists who completely invested in my daughter & really helped us to understand how we contribute to her progress. At 4 1/2 years old, she is still in speech therapy (through the public school system) but is considered to be one of the more advanced in her class & will be ready to attend a "regular" kindergarten class in the Fall. Remember though, this is our situation, & your daughter may just be taking her time in developing her language. You are wise though to address it with your doctor & if you're not satisfied with his/her answer, seek a second opinion. You are the only advocate your child truly has!

my now 3 1/2 year old was the same way at that age. he could understand when we asked him to do something and knew some signs but wasnt ready to speak. he was so different from my oldest (then 9). when my oldest was 12 months he was interested in verbal communication and said many simple words. he was speaking full sentences by a little over 2. my 3 1/2 year old today wont stop talking. he sometimes refuses to say certain sounds that we ask him to. he has trouble w/ c/k, and g sounds. he is able to make those sounds when he's "acting" like a baby or goofing off so im not worried. i would just say to keep an eye on your daughter in the next few months. continue to encourage "talking" and teaching new sounds and words. my youngest is 2 and 4 months and speaks full sentences like the oldest. my 3 1/2 year old is still more advanced than the 2 yr old in terms of vocabulary.
i just think that every child is different and chooses to speak or speaks at different times. maybe other parts of her brain are developing more quickly than the norm, or her motor skills (fine and large) may be really advanced for her age?

I would say yes, you are absolutely being too paranoid - another definition, you are being a typical first-time mom. :0) By the time she is 5 she will be talking with the best of them. She is probably very smart, and thinking deep thoughts already. Just think of it that way, and enjoy your little blessing!

We're experiencing the same problem with my son. He doesn't say much, and the words he does say are mispronounced. We took him in for his 2-year check-up, and the pediatrician sent us for a hearing test, even though his hearing seemed fine. It turned out that he has middle ear fluid. So when you go in for the 2-year, have your doc check that.

Apparently I didn't speak until after I was two years old. Can't vouch for my current level of intelligence (ha ha), but I bet she understands quite a bit of what you're saying and will speak when she's ready.

Jen

Hi L., My first 2 children spoke perfectly and early. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought my 3rd child would not do the same. When she did not utter a word by the time she was 26 months old I was dying. I had her tested for everything. People told me that she "didn't need to talk" because everyone was "doing it for her." I thought that was a load of poo. She was so good at everything else: she could color at age 2, she walked at 8 months, she could climb and run like crazy, she tried to ride a bike (at 2!). I finally decided that she would talk in her own time. I think it was more my "embarassament" than anything else. She was a delayed talker, and she did go to speech in elementary school, but it wasn't a big deal. The words she once barely uttered have become common words in our house: ush and gocks for shoes and socks. She is gradutaing college this June at the top of her class; she played and excelled in college sports and is finishing in 4 years. People have their own timetables. It is hard when all your friends have kids that are talking like adults and your child is barely babbling. Why is it so important for all children to do everything so early? My suggestion is for you to relax, don't feel like you need to defend her or make excuses. She will only be a baby once - she has her whole lifetime to talk.

There was a posting similar to this recently that had a lot of advice - tues Nov 27th - perhaps you could look it up - or try this link http://www.mamasource.com/request/recent/91701/1197553377...

Alert and aware is what you are, not paranoid. I have a 5 year old son who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. At 20 months or so, I noticed he was different from other kids about his age. I tried to tell myself that "he'll grow out of it" or "he's just a little behind, he'll catch up". It was a year later that he was diagnosed. I am not saying your daughter has ASD. Just if you have any concerns about your child, definitely follow up on them. It could be nothing and you'll feel good that you're doing everything you can for your daughter.