T.T. asks from Norfolk, VA on March 19, 2008
When Do Children Usually Start Talking?
My youngest son is turning two this month and he isn't talking like I think he should be. I am kind of getting worried. I don't want to compare the rest of the kids to him cause I know they are all different, but I just have no idea what to do.
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S.W. answers from Norfolk on March 20, 2008
Boys are usually behind girls, but if by the age of 3 he isn't talking yet, take him to the school board. They have testing and all and then they'll put him into what they think he will need, i had 2 kids in speech so it isn't unusual. But also think of it this way, once he starts, he won't stop and you'll want him too..LOLOL just teasing girl
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S.W. answers from Norfolk on March 20, 2008
Boys are usually behind girls, but if by the age of 3 he isn't talking yet, take him to the school board. They have testing and all and then they'll put him into what they think he will need, i had 2 kids in speech so it isn't unusual. But also think of it this way, once he starts, he won't stop and you'll want him too..LOLOL just teasing girl
1 mom found this helpful
D.S. answers from Allentown on March 20, 2008
Hi T.,
There is a SAHM meetup group that may be able to help you with your concerns.
website is SAHM.meetup.com/
The Norfolk attachment parenting Group may have some answers for you. Good luck. D.
S.D. answers from Sarasota on March 20, 2008
My friend accessed a free program to test her 2 year old and received free speach services for about 6 months. She lives in Baltimore so I don't know what services are available here but you may want to look into what may be available.
D.P. answers from Norfolk on March 21, 2008
Hi. I'm a mom of four children. I live in Portsmouth, VA. I'm also a school teacher. Have you talked with your pediatrician?
My first three children seemed to progress fine. My youngest son was doing okay, but not talking quite as much as the older ones. I didn't worry too much. I talked with the pediatrician and he said not to worry. Then at church one day, his Sunday School teacher told me that she was worried about him. I told her that probably because he has three older siblings he doesn't speak as much because they cater to him.
Anyway, to make a long story a little bit shorter, we put him in a diagnostic class for a couple of weeks. It turns out that he has a mild form of autism. I waited until he was almost 4 to do something. It's easiest when they're younger.
He's doing fine now. He's very verbal and gets along well. He's on track with his academic levels, but is still behind on social skills. The SECEP program is a wonderful thing and they have helped him tremendously.
Your son may just be taking his time and will be fine. Try making him say the words when he wants something. Praise him when he does use his words.
I didn't tell you about my son to scare you, but I was told that the earlier something is diagnosed, the better. You may contact your local school system, or your pediatrician. They have forms for you to read and checklists. If your son is doing fine on all of the other categories except for his speaking, then you'll know there's nothing to worry about. Like I said before, when you look at my son, he appears to be just like like any other child.
I'll keep you in my prayers.
C.F. answers from Norfolk on March 20, 2008
My sister had the same problem with her little girl. it seemed like once she turned 3 almost 3 1/2 she just started talking. the doctors told my sister to read more to her and try to have just one on one talks with her. I hope that this helps I am sure that he is fine. good luck with everything
C.
K.H. answers from Norfolk on March 20, 2008
Hi T.,
I have two boys ages 6 and 2 1/2. Both of my sons were the same way. When my oldest Tyler was 2 we had his hearing checked and had him evaulated for any speech delays. We were told that he had an expressive speech delay so we started him in speech therapy through the infant and toddler connections in va beach. He was in that program till he turned 3 and then moved into the school system and was talking speech classes at our local elementary school 3 times a week for 20 min sessions. He has made such progress with that that when he started kindergarten last fall he was taking down to only 1 20 min session a week and this is just to work on some of his articulation skills. We are already talking about taking him completely out of speech once he starts the first grade. My youngest son Noah started to show the same signs of not talking like he should be and so I had him evaulated at 18 months and he was accepted into the same program that Tyler was in. Noah graduated from having speech completely when he was 27 months old and is talking so much more than Tyler ever was at his age. So each child is different in when they talk and I am glad that I had both of my sons evaluated and put them in speech because it has helped them a lot. I figured it could not hurt them only help them. So if you are interested in doing this go to this website http://www.earlyintervention-va.com/ and located the city you live in and contact them. They come to your house and do the evaulation and depending on income is how much you will pay and they do all the speech classes in your home or daycare. I loved the program and am glad I called them. If you have any question please feel free to contact me at ____@____.com.
K.
J.W. answers from Norfolk on March 20, 2008
I just know that all kids are different. My oldest who is almost 3 is a very talkative girl and my 14 month old tlaks but not the same way or as much as my 2 year old did at that age. My cousin did not start talking really until he was three, he just mostly pointed unitl then. I don't know what to tell you, but I would probably give it a little more time. Also, I have a freind whose daughter did not talk until she was about 3 1/2 but that was also becasue she had an emergency hospital stay that affected her when she was little, so I htink it just depends.
S.K. answers from Norfolk on March 20, 2008
I have two boys, ages 7 and 4. My oldest didn't start talking until after he turned 2. Our pediatrician was worried and wanted me to take him to a specialist for hearing. He knew what I was saying and could understand simple things like bring me your sippy cup or where is the door. Things like that. Shortly after he turned two he finally started talking and now never stops. So yes, each child is different and goes at their own pace. He's probably just taking it all in and will start when he's ready. Also, if he is the youngest and his siblings speak for him then i think he might not be talking b/c of that.
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