Kid Stopped Talking

How's the speech therapy going? What does the therapist say?

Does she look people in the eye? Does she understand direction and what you say to her?

Your speech therapist should have written a report. Go through that report. Look up what the terms she uses mean. Receptive language, expressive language, that kind of thing. Ask her questions after you have researched the meaning of the terms.

There are several things that can cause a child to stop talking. Autism is one. Selective mutism is one, but I would think that she would talk to you, if that were it. And it could be as simple as her learning a new skill and putting talking on the back burner, though that is less likely at her age.

Anyway, talk to the speech therapist. She should have some thoughts two months in to the therapy.

Good luck!
Dawn

Don't take this wrong, but do you "cater" to her needs to where she really doesn't have to use her words??

In addition to the speech therapist, you may want to consider a child psychologist that could confer with you and the therapist.

Did you have her vaccinated shortly before she stopped speaking? That is one side effect that isn't mentioned often.

My daughter started talking at 9 months old and quit talking at 1 year and 1 week old. I FREEKED OUT! That said she never said another word until after her 2nd birthday when we started speech therapy. Let me reasure you with Sierra's story. She will not shut up now! LOL. The doctor explained it like this. Their brain is like sponge and it is taking in a ton of info all the time. After a while it can't hold any more and must stop something. Often it is speech that is put on hold for a while until their brain grows some and it can handle everything all at once. You are doing the right thing with speech and play therapy so keep that up and then keep encouraging her to use her words but don't push or fight her. Use your words for everythig ie: when you hand her a toy say this is a ____ or just say the name and/or use of something. Don't worry. However, you are your childs best advocate. Be sure you and she feels comfortable with the therapits and if you have any trouble contact her service cordinator for help. You must be proactive with all the people that are helping her. BE KIND but be firm if needed.

Did something traumatic happen to cause her to stop talking?

Has she been evaluated by a team or a neurodevelopmental pediatrician? She is still very young for any diagnosis but it is good to have more than one person who is qualified to watch her. She is really young for speech therapy, I think it would be beneficial to have her evaluated by Early Intervention. Remember though that they just see her for a few hours and she is going to probably change a lot in the next few months.