Soon to Be 3 Not Talking a Whole Lot

Definitely discuss with your pediatrician. Chronic ear infections can cause speech delays and sometimes tubes make a huge difference. Or, if your child's tongue is too tight (tongue-tied) it can affect speech too. Your doctor can also set up a speech therapy evaluation. A speech therapist can tell what is causing the delay and usually help you overcome it. Good luck!

Get the book BabyTalk. Sorry, I don't remember the author. They have a program for babies and toddlers, and, after studying the effects of their program over years, have found that even children experiencing severe speech delays ended up ahead, and many even in the gifted range.

It's also great for discipline issues, and it's just plain fun. Just half an hour a day.

To start with, though, make sure to eliminate white noise during his waking hours, and keep the tv off. It's hard for them to learn from a passive source. They learn best from interacting with others, esp. Mom and Dad, and from involving all five senses, instead of sight and sound alone, and from a screen where a lot of things don't make any sense to them.

I'm not sure where you live, but in Tulsa, OK there is a program available through the state. My little boy had hearing loss, the ENT suggested speech therapy through the state. You might start with an ENT, if you haven't already done so. Make sure his hearing is ok and then ask him/her if there are any speech therapy programs in your area. Our program was great !!! But, you might hurry. The speech program here required that you get them evaluated before the age of 3 in order to qualify. Good Luck :) You might call you local DHS and see if they have any suggestions.

I agree that you should have his hearing checked. While someone posted that his hearing needed to be checked before the age of 3, that may be true to qualify for the program that her child is in, however, the public school system in your area becomes responsible for children with special needs in their district when those children turn 3.

I would take him to an audiologist and have his hearing checked. If he indeed does have a hearing loss, please know that there are many communication options for you to pursue. I have a deaf daughter who is now 18. She reads lips and has excellent speech skills, however, she also communicates through sign language. She has had great success in school and received a full scholarship to Gallaudet University in Washington, DC where we are moving her in this weekend.

If, after you have your son's hearing checked, he has a hearing loss and you would like to speak some more about our experiences with our daughter, please contact me at ____@____.com

Good luck!

Is the talking that is is doing clear? I would have his ears checked by a specialist and not be able to hear as well or clearly as he should, not just your regular MD. My niece had the same problem and it was easily corrected with tubes in her ears and some speach therapy.
Best of luck,
G.

While this progression might be normal for your child, I think you should have him tested just in case the speech issue needs to be addressed. My second child(of three)was late with her speech due to ear problems that were addressed at 10 months with ear tubes. She started speech therapy at 2 years 8 months. In Arkansas there is a program that is free through the state (regardless of income) that will test you child and either send a therapist to your home or you can take them to therapy if they qualify. As a teacher, I know that a speech issue is much easier to correct early than later.

How is his receptive language? Does he understand what is said to him?? If so, I would not be overly concerned. Obviously you want to rule out any medical problem (like hearing lose). Both of my older sons were late talkers. It was after Cam's 3rd bday that he actually started talking.
Now Cameron is an advanced 5 year old who reads on a 2nd grade level. He (and his almost 3year old brother) have ZERO issues. They were simply late talkers.
Good Luck!!

my first thought is to have his hearing tested....he might be able to hear but not as well as he should...
if that comes back fine i would consult a speech pathologist...keep us posted

In Oklahoma we have a program called Sooner Start. They evaluate children and recognize delays. We had our little J evaluated at about 20 months for not talking and he was delayed. But he was above average in most other areas. Almost as soon as they left our house he started talking in complete sentences. The reason we were so worried was because his mom used excessive amounts of Meth while she was pregnant. They told us most kids that the moms did this would tend to show great intelligence until about 3 yrs. old then they would regress, so we keep a close eye on him so we can call them back at any time. If they find him showing symptoms then he can start school as soon as he is 3 and be in special programs for health care, etc....

Call your physician and ask for a referrel to an ORL physician, some know them better as an eye, ear, nose, and throat doctor. He can do hearing and speech evaluations on your little one.

I would set up an evaluation with a speech therapist. I'm not sure what it costs but your insurance might cover it. And if they don't you should be able to go to your elementary school and find out how he can be evaluated. Most states have free speech therapy from elementary schools for the children within the school boundaries. (regardless of if they attend the school) My daughter still wasn't up to a 3 year old speech level at 3, despite playgroups and preschool. We had her evaluated and found out that she in deed needed speech. It has taken a year going twice a week to finally get her talking more and to be more understandable to others. Some kids just don't get speaking is how they explained it and just need extra time and work to get it to click. I would really try and have him evaluated so they can at least tell you what they think the problem is. And if you don't want him in speech they can hopefully give you advice on how you can help him at home. Just know which ever way you decide to go it'll take lots of time. Usually 2-4 years with early intervention (I've been told) to get them to the age level of speech they should be at. Good luck!

Hi S., I would suggest everytime you see something pronounce the name and see if he can repeat it. That is one good way to teach sounds. Get a magazine and just go through and see what all he knows. My son went to a home daycare when he was 9 months old till he was three. He went part time and full time. She would just do easy stuff with them like counting toys or saying colors of toys. That really helped him out. I would suggest doing things like that. Some kids learn fast and some dont. Just keep teaching him. Maybe look into preschool for him next year when he will be four. We put my son in preschool andhe loves it. He learns more. Hears other people saying things. I hope this helps some. :)

S.
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