Speech Delay in Almost-2-year-old?

Dear C.,

I would have your son evaluated. Boces and headstart programs are good resources. Be sure and talk a lot with your son even it you think that you are talking too much. Read, read, read, lots of picture books and maybe pop- up books. Go on your own instinct as his mom.

If you live in Denver there is a free service with Denver Options. When my little girl was about that age she was not talking very much. We call them and the assessed her and she had speech therapy for a couple of months. In the end it was just that she had two older brothers that did everything for her that she just never had the need to talk. She is now a bright 5yr old that has a story for everything:)

When doctors and experts say that kids should say 20 words by 2, that's a huge generalization. Some kids naturally start speaking earlier, some just don't. Yes, some kids have medical problems, but some kids just don't talk early. My son said almost nothing we could understand at 22 months, but right before he turned 2 - in the space of just a couple of weeks - his speaking totally exploded and he went from like 3 or 4 words to over 50.

Keep a lookout for anything that might be medical-related and ask your pediatrician to do a generic evaluation at his 2-year appointment. If your doctor notices, then have him tested, but don't worry too much. Most kids will just naturally catch up a little bit later.

If he is not with his parents very often he might be responding to a lack of attention. If you are working full time and your husband is a full time student how much time are you spending with your boy? Are you talking to him like you would to an adult or are you talking baby talk to him. Signaling that you want him to remain a baby. My boys talk I think better for their age they are 3 1/2 and 2. I am home with them most of the time and we talk about adult things-I use real words and explain how things work that they ask me about. I treat them like big kids so they act more like big kids and not baby's needing to be coddled... at least in speach. Hope this helps.

I have had the same concerns with my daughter (who turned 2 today) Turns out she just hasn't needed to talk- she is always with the same people (very few children) who understand what she is trying to 'say.' She spent a weekend at grandma's without us, and voila! she came back with her usable vocabulary doubled and has picked up another dozen words in the week since. I agree with your ped dr, but if you are concerned look into it- no one knows your son better than you.

I used to teach autistic preschoolers. The age of your child isn't too young to be tested. I can't stress enough how early detection is important~ I'd be taking him in today!! Best wishes!

If you live in the Denver metro/boulder area check out Imagine - an organization that can offer help (speech therapy)/evaluation/etc. They also can provide financial assistance if you qualify. A great resource. Check them out!

My daughter had similar issues. Contact your local school district and ask about their early intervention program. Jeffco's is called ChildFind. They provide services for kids up to three years old, and the district covers the cost.

I am in the exact situation as you. My son turned 2 last month and his range of words is very little and he doesn't speak very clearly. He seems to understand what I am talking about when I talk to him, so I brought it up at his 2 year appointment. The Dr. basically told me that boys develop slower than girls cognitively and usually us moms are more concerned than need to be. He said if we did a speech therapy eval, he would have to be somewhat cooperative, which my son will likely not be. He said to wait until he's about 2 1/2 - 3 and if I'm still concerned to explore the option of an eval. But after reading all your posts, I think I may at least start researching some programs out there now just so I can be prepared. Thanks for posting your situation, although I was trying not to be worried, it really is comforting to know that other moms have the same concerns that I do:)

This is for every concerned mother: Have your children tested! You have nothing to lose, and help for your child to gain. I'm an SLP and did Early Intervention for 2 years before quitting to raise my own kids. Federal law allows for family-based services to infants and toddlers 0-3, because helping these young ones makes a huge difference in outcome! Services should be free or with a minimal co-pay. It depends on your state. You should not need a referral from your MD. To get information on where to find services, try your school or doctor. Your childdoes not need to "be cooperative"- professionals know how to get the information that they need (Including lots of questions from you about his history).

Based on what you describe your son should qualify for services(10 or fewer words at 2 years), but it depends on your state. If he's on the edge of qualifying, they will likely monitor him at least. Have your son tested soon: first because services will change when he turns 3 (depends on your state laws), also because there can be a waiting list.

Your son may have a "typical" delay and could catch up without help (in which case help won't hurt, just be fun and prepare him for school!), or he might have difficulty with the incredibly complex task of speech (in which case, the sooner he gets help, the better!). He's learning and understanding more every day, and soon will realize he has ideas he can't convey to you.

Nothing that you mentioned would make me worry about autism. Also, learning signs won't hurt, and may help ease frustration and give him success at communicating-- it's a good place to start, but the very first step is to trust your instinct and find a good SLP! You're a great advocate for your son! Best of luck.

You may want to call DDI Vantage if you are in UT and at least get the ball rolling on the speech therapy (Federally funded program). See if he qualifies, and if he ends up not needing it then no worries. It can take a few months to get an appt though, so I'd suggest at least looking into it now.

No worries! My son did the same thing and I wrote on here too trying to get advice. But I gave it sometime and now out of nowhere he is talking like crazy. He didn't say anything forever and I was worried about it. I talked to a pathologist my brother in law works with and she told me to wait until he was three before worrying about it. He is now 29 months and talks non stop. Sometimes they just wait until they want to talk or feel like they need to and until then you can do anything and everything and it won't matter. It will happen just give it time.

My nephew seemed to have a delay in speech, too. Even though you know he understands some things, you might want to have his hearing evaluated. My nephew had to have tubes put in his ears in April and he never seemed to have trouble hearing us before that. The change in his verbal skills (and confidence) since then is dramatic.

C.,

My son was the same way. He would talk nonsense (since the night he was born actually!!) and would say a few words, but wasn't really talking. He understood what we said to him, would do things when asked... all that stuff! And then he turned 2! I'm telling you it was like a switch went off!!! All of a sudden at about 26 months he started talking sentences and now there are days I wish for quiet!!

I would hold off a few more months. Talk to your pediatrician at his 2 yr. He may be like my son and storing it all up so he can talk sentences right off the bat!

BTW, "most" kids are actually ver different and all learn differently - boys are slower in that area than girls also so I wouldn't be overly concerned at this point.

God Bless-
C.

C.:
Hi there! I notice that you live in Provo. If you are concerned about it, I would call the program called Kids on the Move. I am not sure what the protocol is there (for instance, if you need to be referred by a doctor), but they work with children from 0-3 years on developmental delays. My daughter worked with them until we moved to another school district a few months ago. They will send someone out to your house to do an evaluation if you like. However, from what you've said your son is doing, it sounds like he's a smart little guy. I would keep an eye out for autism though.
Another thing that may be comforting is something my daughter's physical therapist said. Basically when kids learn one skill they lag on others... My daughter wa a late walker, but when she started focusing on walking, her speech progression altogether stopped for a few months. Once she had walking down, speech came back.
I would definitely call them. Here is a link to their developmental checklist. Don't feel bad about being worried about this. It could be something, and worse case, they tell you it's nothing (or that would be best case I think)
http://www.kidsonthemove.org/parents/devChecklist.html
http://www.kidsonthemove.org/

You are justified in contacting your doctor again if you are concerned. Pediatricians are there as much for the parents as for the children. Ask your doctor if your son should perhaps have his ears checked. My younger son (now an Army captain) fit the description you give at about the same age; finally we had tubes put in his ears. Within *six hours* of the outpatient surgery, his speech had dramatically improved because he was hearing us. Children develop normally at different rates, so you don't want to do too much measuring against other children or even against books. But it's good to ask your doctor. Doctors go to school for years and years so that they can answer our questions intelligently... and we mothers should help them make good use of what they're learned! :^)

Hi C.,

Being the mom of not one but two hearing impaired kids, I strongly suggest you have your sons hearing tested! Good luck!

Hi- you could be writing about my son. At 22 months he had about 10 words and could not put 2 works together. I had him evaulated for speech. What they found was a delay in that area, but also in his gross motor skills. They suggested having him walk on uneven surfaces, play on a big inflatable ball to improve core strength along with anything else I could think of to improve movement. It just so happens after getting him evauluated I spent 6 weeks at the beach with my son. To my suprise, being outside in the water, sand etc. really kickstarted his speech. I would suggest getting him evaulated through the school district and working on his gross motor at home. My son is now 27 months and sings 5 different songs, and can talk in full sentences.

He doesn't sound delayed at all to me. I'd ask at the 2 year visit with the Dr, if you're still worried. Usually boys are a little slower getting words out because they're working on their gross motor skills more than verbal ones.

At 2, a child generally has 20 words and puts two words together. Usually it's only understandable to a parent. He may be saying words, just not quite clearly enough that you can understand him. Don't expect it to sound just right. Listen hard and you may realize he's saying a lot more than you think.
I taught kindergarten with English Language Learners for 3 years (kids who didn't speak English at home). Kids learn first to understand, so the fact that he understands lots of what you say is a good sign. I had some kids who would not speak English for the majority of the year but would translate everything I said into Spanish for their friends. It's the normal sequence of language acquisition and some kids are ready to talk right away while others just listen for a long time. Goes pretty much the same way for young children learning their native language.

I would guess that he is focusing his development on some other aspect. Kids don't learn everything all at the same time. Some learn to speak early, others walk earlier, while others develop better small-motor skills first. He could be focusing his 'energy' on something else for now, and well take off with language soon.

I would bring it up again with the doc at his 2-year appointment (only 2 months away anyway) and see if the 6 month interrim has made any difference. If you are not satisfied by the doctor's response then, by all means start looking into assessments. The school district is the best place to start (although I think they aren't required legally to test kids until they're 3, but they might start earlier for speech anyway).
Good luck :)

My son didn't start speaking until after his 2nd birthday. I was very concerned at his 2 year appointment, but our pediatrician wasn't concerned at all. Within a few months after he turned 2 he started talking up a storm. He also only said a few words by his 2nd birthday, but once he started speaking he used complete sentences. He started off way behind his peers in language, but is now way ahead of them.

Don't worry!!! My girlfriend has 4 children and one of them didn't say a single word until he was 4 1/2. He has no problems and tests higher than most kids. Your son I am sure is fine. If he is still not speaking at around 3 or 3 1/2 then you might want to look into it further. The fact that he is babbeling is a good thing, he is communicating, you just cannot understand it yet. = )

Good luck!

you should where ever you live have access to an early intervention program. I would recommend getting some testing done. That way you can get help if you need it. I am a speech/language pathologist. The testing should be free under special education law.

I think an appointment would be worth it BUT, and I can't emphasis this enough... I really don't think there is a huge worry here. He is still young and from what you are telling us, quite bright. My son was the same way and he speaks just fine, in fact he did not say his first word until he was 2 and then within 3 months of turning 2 spoke in 4 word sentences. He may be one of those kids that just wants to figure it out on his own and have it perfect before he spits out the words. The evaluation is still a good idea and the wait time for an appointment is lengthy so you may as well get the ball rolling but you may not need it by the time the appointment comes along. Keep encouraging him and working with him at home. Someone suggested signing but I don't know if I would do that at this point it may be confusing if you are wanting him to speak, encourage the speaking. It has been statistically proven that videos are not the best tool to teach children to do any task and that one-on-one interaction is the best way for a child to learn so keep doing what you are doing. Play with him and talk to him and use real words making sure to enunciate each sound so that he can see how your mouth has to move to make the word without over doing it of course, make it natural so that he isn't making funny faces to make the same words. He will soon pick it up and have a vocabulary burst and you will be wondering when he will be quiet again... LOL..
Good luck and enjoy the upcoming conversations!
S., Mom of 4 boys

I read some of the responses you've gotten, and it sounds like you're getting some good advice. I'm a Speech-Language Pathologist, and if a child is only saying a few words at 22 months, I automatically recommend an evaluation. It's a good idea to do it now, even if he would have caught up on his own. You don't want to take the chance and gamble with that. Good luck!

Your son is definitely behind. My experience is that doctors don't stress over that, especially in boys. I also know (from 4 speech therapists we've worked with), the younger you get help, the better the prognosis. I'd check out Child Find in your area and see if you can get an evaluation. We have been very pleased with the help we've gotten for our kids. I just checked for what our daughter should be doing. She's 16 months, and according to our son's therapist she's behind. According to what she gave me, your son is also behind. Speech therapy is a lot of fun for this age. GL!

Since your little one is trying to communicate but it's mostly not understandable, and since he's only gained 2 intelligible words in four months, yes, it's time for an evaluation. I work closely with a Speech-Language Pathologist, and the above two examples are hallmarks of seeking an evaluation. Speech with little ones is fun! It's mainly working on sounds, and playing with toys. I think your instinct is right.
Baby signs are fun, but if there is a speech delay, they can do more harm than good. Good luck!

get him evaluated. There are developmental centers that do it for free. call your local school district to find out.

My best friend is a speech/language pathologist and she often tells families with similar questions to *please* contact their school district office and ask about evaluation services. The evaluation is often free or very low cost and makes a difference between helping a child progress easily or being frustrated for a long time and missing important developmental milestones. At this age, any therapy will be fun games. If he is not progressing rapidly, evaluation is a reasonable and important step. Just think--at best, they'll say he's in the range of normal and give you ideas for how to help him, and at worst, they'll help you connect with a qualified therapist who can help him develop his skills before they become a stressor in a school environment. Sounds like nothing but help to me.
Provo area has many specialized services for families and their school districts are large enough that they have lots of speech-language therapists for preschoolers. It's worth a call!
Best wishes!

Call Your school district or local headstart program. They do free screenings for hearing and speech. My son at 18 months was doing things similar to yours and did have fluid build up in his ear. He understood what we said but to him it sounded different like listening under water. For him it was a hearing issue and after getting the tubes put in was fine. I also have a niece who didn't talk hardly at all, but could say the sounds when coached. Her issue was a speech delay something to do with the processing in her brain. Speech therapy through the schools helped her and now she does fine. If they do find a speech or processing delay they will offer services free or at a prorated rate depending upon your income.

I would definetly do the free screening, just for piece of mind, if you don't know the number any local Elementary school can get you the information. The doctors office can do screenings to but I'm sure there is a copay involved through them.

I've done screenings with several of my children and found no problem but it did eliminate the worry in my mind, and let me know that they were really on the right track.

Good Luck

Hi C.:
I do suggest a speech evaluation. Both my sons had speech at early ages. My second though was 18 months when my other sons head start teacher and speech therapist mentioned Daniels lack of speech. It was good though because through the Early Childhood early intervention program he recieved weekly speech therapy in the home. A evaluation is just that but then you will know. I would contact your school district and ask about the early childhood early intervension program and they can give you guidance for the evaluation. Hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you need more contact names. ____@____.com
Here is the contact info for your area; Monica Grabavoy, Program Manager
Easter Seals Northern Rocky Mountain
c/o Wasatch Mental Health
1165E 300N
Provo, Utah 84601
Phone: ###-###-####
Fax: ###-###-####
this has the program that you want, just look it up online and it has what we did here in Colorado. Hope this helps!!

I would check out the signing times dvd videos. They are videos teaching sign language to children by using sign language. I've recommended them to many friends whose children have delayed speech. It may help him to communicate better & feel less frustrated. I do recommend a consult with the school, doctor or speech expert--if only to make yourself feel better. good luck!

I would HIGHLY recommend doing baby signing with your son! It sounds like he has the comprehension skills but just hasn't developed the coordination needed to formulate most words. Research shows that kids who sign actually learn to talk sooner and develop more words to communicate with. Children develop coordination of their large muscle groups faster than the smaller muscles, especially those needed to coordinate speech. This is why babies can comprehend more than they can say and why signing is a good bridge between now and the time he begins to talk more. Since he has coordination of his large muscles and has comprehension, use signing for your communication right now. The communication with you in this way will actually help his language development, developing the language connections in the brain, and you may find that it won't be much longer before he puts it all together and begins talking. I agree with your pediatrician. Kids develop at different rates and I wouldn't be concerned yet. After all, Einstein didn't talk until he was three and when he did start talking, he only whispered for the longest time. His parents thought he was stupid. Ha! HTH.