2 Yr Old Not Talking

I may be weighing in a little late on your question, but I just found Mamasource this week and just had to respond to your concern about your daughter.

My youngest son (he's one of four), did not begin talking until he was almost 3 years old. We were so frustrated with him because our other 2 children began talking around 16-18 months and we just thought he should've reached that milestone around the same time. All he would do is grunt like a caveman whenever he wanted something,and would growl angrily if we held the bottle aloft to try and induce him to ask for his "bottle". We knew he didn't have a hearing problem because like your daughter, he could follow instructions and seemed otherwise quite bright. We asked our pediatrician about it and they (of course)recommended that we see a specialist to have him evaluated. On the other hand, most every Grandmother/experienced mom we interviewed said they knew at least one child who didn't talk until he was 4 years old! He'll talk when he's ready--save your money, they said.

Well, to make a long story short--we did nothing. Didn't have him evaluated. Didn't start ignoring him to try and force him to speak. Just kept reading to him and talking to him. One day after coming in from running errands, he said "I put my shoes in the mudroom, Mommy." His first word was a sentence. You know your little girl better than anyone--Doctors don't even read your file before they see you anymore! Follow your heart.

i know my son just turned 3 and he is just now talking in the past few months. his older sister talked for him. also though he just had no interest. the pediatrician wanted him evaluated but i left him go on his own and now he talks up a storm. hopefully this will be your problem too. good luck!

Besides checking with your pediatrician (some doctors prefer to wait until a child is 3, but I disagree), you can contact the Infants and Toddler program office for your county and request your daughter be evaluated. It is a free service provided to evaluate children for speech and learning disabilities for early intervention. I have 2 friends who are used this service, and their boys are now receiving free speech therapy to help them with their delayed speech issues (both women already have 2 or 3 older children).

My granddaughter was recently evaluated, and we hope to hear her results any day now. She just turned 3, but I have known since she was 18 months that there was an issue which wasn't solely related to the fact that her parents weren't working with her very much or well.

This website helps parents to to their own evaluation to see if they should pursue further help. I found it to be an excellent resource of information. Although some of the references may have you thinking it's in regards to autism, it is not. I highly recommend you take a look: http://www.firstsigns.org/.

The Infant Toddler program (sometimes called Child Find or Well Child) is a fully funded, national program that is available to everyone. You can look on this website for your local office or contact the HQ for the number. They will help you through the process of evaluation (@45 minutes) and, if necessary, further help: http://www.family-networks.org/infants.cfm .

If your daughter is accepted, they will not only help her directly, but give you techniques on how to work with her. One of my friends who uses this service (it was for her fourth child), says she was surprised at what she learned, especially after having raised 3 good talkers. They gave her tips that were very obvious when explained, but are often overlooked (like getting down on eye level when speaking with your child).

Your daughter's frustration in communication is a clear sign she is having difficulty expressing her needs, and I would recommend pursuing the program. If it turns out to be nothing, then you will have peace of mind that your daughter is just developing on her own terms (albeit a frustrating course for you). If it does turn out to be something, then you'll be glad you acted on it earlier rather than later.

Good luck!

absolutely look into it here's what i did
first i asked the pediatrician to write a referral to see an ENT, then i asked the ENT to refer us to the best audiologist in the area. then i had my daughter undergo the ABR test (hearing test during which they sedate the kids). she was 15 months at the time. results showed hearing loss in one ear. then we contacted the early intervention and she qualified for speech therapy. she went for about 9 months and in meantime started talking. in meantime we kept up with hearing tests. she's 3 years old now and talks ok, not brillian but ok, 6-8 word sentences
so, bottom line, do not wait. i absolutely would not think it's autism or anything of the sort. it is to early to know and it is the most common diagnosis kids get whether they are or not. first eliminate the obvious things then seek others. but at 2 years old she should be talking some
good luck
vlora

Go see a pediatrition,preferably a developmental one. It may be normal-but early intervention will help either way. My son did the same thing. He was diagnosed with autism at 4, he still gains language on a daily basis(he is now 7). Don't panic just check it out! Could be normal as I said :)

Have you talked to your doctor about this? Have you had her hearing checked? I would definitely consult a specialist right away because I, too, used baby sign language with my daughter who is now 22 months and what I've noticed is that either words have replaced her signs or she uses them in tandem. Either way, if your daughter was communicating and then is not, something is going on. Good luck!

I agree with a lot of what the Occupation Therapist has said. I am a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist (Therapist) and I would recommend calling your Early Intervention Unit for an evaluation and possible therapy, if she qualifies. If you are in PA these services are free, in your home or child's daycare setting and can offer lots of help. Good luck.

Good Morning L.
my son at the age of 2 was doing the same thing. I thought it was because he was the alone child and that he'll get it eventually. However his Daycare Provider recommended I have him check to make sure there nothing wrong and he was just be a stubborn baby. The doctor told me that it wasnt him being a stubborn baby .they were unsecure of what it is but began a series of testing. They advised that he could have diffculty with his inner ear viberation that sends a sing to the voice cords for speech. but that wasnt the issue. he was diagnosed as neurodevelopmental delay and a high functioning autistic.
as a mom, all i do was cry hearing those doctors tell me my baby needed special help. they explained to me all the concerns they had with diagnoses and what exercise i could do with him to help besides their recommendation of enrolling him in a school for speech and other assistance.
one techinic was word viberation... to take your child hand and place it on your mouth so he or she can feel the viberation of the words you speak.... this is a form of theropy for the hearing impaired.
try it ,but also take her in to make sure her hearing is ok.
please keep in touch , i love to know how things workout.

Take her to a play area around other children her age everyday. Something like a babygym, or earily child development center. MOST of the time when a child won't talk it's because they want that "baby attention" and on top of that, she really don't have to talk cause in the end you'll figure it out anyway and she knows that. Putting her in a situation where she must communicate will help push her forward. Based on what you said, it sounds to me like she is a very bright little girl; if so, trust and believe that she knows just what she is doing.

As far as at home ignore her. If she does not tell you what she wants and you KNOW for a fact she knows how to say it; don't respond. A few days of that will get her on the right track as well.

If all else fails then she might need a Speech Pathologist (sp) to help her.

Hope this helps,
P.

Hi L.:

I would highly recommend getting a copy of Dr Kenneth Bock's new book "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism ADHD Asthma and Allergies". http://www.amazon.com/Healing-New-Childhood-Epidemics-Gro... I am not suggesting your child has any of these things but Bock's book is a terrific in depth study of things that can impact speech and concrete things you can do about it. One "easy" thing you might consider trying right away is giving your child an Omega 3 fish oil supplement like a Childrens DHA (Nordic Naturals is one good brand). Many see a connection between speech development and EFA deficiency. Sometimes in addition the removal of certain foods from a childs diet can spark a surge in speech (and an elimination of fussy behavior if that is an issue at all).

Good luck!

J.

She may need tube in her ears. One of my niece's had to have them put in to drain the fluid. She was unable to hear us properly. She would go & do what ever you asked her to do but when it can to talking she did not do much talking & when she did you could not understand most of what she was saying. Also keep in mind that when you have older sibling they do do alot of talking for her so she doesn't have to talk. Or they will get it for her. I have seen a lot of that in the church nursery I work in on sunday mornings the younger sibling points & the older sibling goes & gets it. So your husband maybe right she maybe being lazy or it could be a hearing problem so I would definetly talk to your doctor and see what he/she has to say.