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2 1/2 year old stopped speaking


male2008

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So I´m wondering if someone has experience or advice on this.

 

Short background

 

My son is 2 1/2 years old. He did start speaking when he was about 1 old but the basics, mama, dada, fell, and so on. Then he stopped and about a year ago he went to have his ears checked and they where both blocked and he had to have "pipes" inserted into them. (sorry English is a second language).

 

But since then he dosent talk, he will make a bunch of sounds like brrrr for cars, ugh for surprising and other more sounds but no words.

 

We are working with the kindergarten they have a feeling he is just "downloading" and will talk when ready, he is going back to check his ears and to see a therapist.

 

He is really strong and they tested him this summer like a ability test. He scored on a three year old level on everything from understanding, movement, spacial awareness and more. But nothing on speech (ofc)

 

He seems to be smart as well he understands if I say ok diaper change or time to go to sleep. He will jump up and run to his bed or changing station. If I say we are going out he will get his clothes and we help him get dressed. We also tested him with his Paw partol teddy bears. He will line them up and point and stare at us until we say the name of the dog. But we tried to say the wrong name and he just looked backed at the dog he was pointing at and grunted. Then pointed "harder" and grunts.

 

He is loving, loves to play fight, he is a prankster he will tease us and so on. He will pretend to fall a sleep and then when we walk out he will laugh and stand up throw the pillow at us. He will even pretend to snore.

One time he was pulling a fischer price oven on top of him pretend to be stuck and then push it back up. After about 8 times I said "no stop doing that" he looked at me and the oven. Then pulled it down on him. Looked at me for "help" I said "stop it" with a grin and he then pretended to be unable to push it off him. Then looked at me started laughing and pushed it back up.

 

So I´m not really worried that he is autistic or something major wrong. But it is concerning. What would you recommend to do or help him start speaking? Have you experienced a similar thing?

 

Thank you so much

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I would look at the books Play to Talk and Let's Talk Together (I am sorry, those are in English and I'm not sure if they are translated)

 

I would have him evaluated by a developmental pediatrician -a pediatrician who specializes in developmental delays. It does sound like an audiological issue above all else given all you wrote but I am not a doctor or in the health professions -just have indirect experience with this sort of thing. I am a big fan of the evaluations rather than worrying. I am encouraged by the kindergarten teacher's assessment since it sounds like he is social and interactive -even moreso than the typical 2 year old. And please enjoy him and his pranks and everything -he sounds adorable! (I have a son too -he is 9).

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Yeah like I said we are not that worried. I think his independent streak is also "slowing" it down. He will play with other children. But he will get tired off it and go off on his own. He also wants to do things on his own. He never asks for the tv he finds the remote and knows how to turn on and then just starts pressing buttons. haha one other funny story this summer. Little scary as well hehe. He wanted an orange, we were finishing some stuff and said "wait then we will help you." only to find him couple of min later with an orange and a knife stuck in it. So he found a chair put it next to the draws where we keep the forks, knifes and so on. Found a knife, then climbed up and got an orange. Then sad on the floor and stapped it.

 

We walked in like "" and ran over grabbed him up and the orange started saying like "no no" and he just got annoyed and pointed at the orange and grunted in like a "what the F I just wanted an orange." haha

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So I would start to child proof more today. Make sure your TV is fastened to the wall (we bought special fasteners) as well as the dressers and bookshelves (or fastened to whatever the tv is mounted on, I meant). I put all knives, matches, laundry detergent, etc. up high. I have many stories of kids who got into emergency situations because of carelessness or a lack of child proofing.

 

Even if it's something minor early intervention is key.

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I would get a specialist. From what you describe he is indeed clever, sociable, cheerful, and his hearing is good. I would ask to be referred to a specialist who could examine why he hasn't been able to reproduce the words he can hear and understand since his procedure. Perhaps the doctor who followed up on him after the procedure could point you in the right direction.

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Is it possible that due to his hearing issues a while ago he's just simply "catching up"? What he didn't hear back then he's now hearing clearer and is just a bit delayed or at a younger kid's level due to that? Unless I misunderstood the OP, but I'd just give him a little more time. I'm sure he catches up soon and he does seem to understand a lot already. My daughter was the same, understood a ton of words way before she actually spoke them.

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Do get him assessed if you are at all concerned... ask your pediatrician to recommend a speech therapist or other specialist that can help you understand what's going on.

 

It may comfort you to know that my friend had similar concerns with her boy... he spoke very little between the age of 2-3, and only just started speaking full sentences at 3. They had a number of tests and assessments done with no visible or apparent issues so they were told he would grow out of it eventually. He is now almost 5 and is very articulate at expressing himself.

 

It's really good that you are dealing with this now, and moving forward with getting him assessed by various specialists will help rule things out and help you feel more in control of things.

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Please take your son to a developmental pediatrician. They really look at the WHOLE child, at all aspects of their lives, and figure things out. Better to get a close look now, while he is only two, than to wait as if there is a problem they can take care of it early. I have a good friend who is a neurodevelopmental ped and I helped him open his office -- the things he figured out were truly amazing.

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My 1st son, speaking in sentences by 1, and speaking in 7 word sentences by two. So when my second son, probably didn't even say mommy until maybe, maybe 18 months??, I thought something was wrong. I mean, he picked up more and more words over time, and his lexicon was massive. At 2.5, he still wasn't speaking no where like his brother, but at 34 months, according to his teacher, the kid is considered beyond the brightest of his class of 18 kids, and his vocabulary is so advanced, he surprises me with 5 syllable words, but I can only understand 50% of the time, even though he's having full on conversations with me and others. He has an older brother that would talk over him all up to that point, and now he's pissed when I don't ask him questions about his day like I do with my eldest.

 

Things you can rest easy on - he's not frustrated, his lexicon to understand, name recognition of objects, things, himself, and vocabulary are really great...sometimes kids just don't talk much at 2.5 years. If all their needs are being met, talking is not a much needed jam.

 

Things to look out for with being on the spectrum: walks on tippy toes regularly. Zero eye contact. Constant need to create patterns, line toys cars up, and if not, they may have a breakdown or fit. Or just really frustrated with no being able to communicate with words.

 

If you want to get a developmental check-up, make an appt now, because it can take you 6 to 8 months in the US to get one. I was lucky since the practice we go to has two of them. Had to get my eldest checked for ADHD.

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I do not agree with him having to use the right word. Using a word that he uses for that item is his way of commincating - I think the goal is communication whether or not it’s the correct word. And be careful not to have him associate talking to get basic needs met - it shouldn’t be a form of discipline especially if he lacks the ability right now. And if you’re going to give in after five times or ten then he will just learn to wait that long until you give in. Also lots of positive reinforcement when he communicates in a verbal way.

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Google "Speech Therapy" and go from there. There are no professionals on the subject here (that I'm aware of) so please do the responsible thing and start by speaking to your family doctor about your concerns and getting a referral to the appropriate professional(s).

 

Good luck, most likely he's just a delayed speaker and he will catch up soon enough but do make sure that is all that it is because the earlier anything that may be wrong is caught, it usually means the better the outcome.

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I agree that if he couldn't hear for a good long time - that you have to expect his speech might be delayed by that long or a little more. If he is communicative in every way except speech, i agree taking him to a speech therapist and explaining that he couldn't hear for awhile would be helpful -- people are so quick to label someone with this syndrome or that and a speech therapist could work with him and determine what's going on. I have a niece who is his age and is just starting to talk. The problem there is that everyone waited on her hand and foot - she is the only grandchild on one side. She gestures and people run and fulfill every perceived need so she has no reason to talk any further. make sure you are creating opportunities where he needs to use words - or introduce words as if you would a baby by pointing to things and teaching.

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I agree that if he couldn't hear for a good long time - that you have to expect his speech might be delayed by that long or a little more. If he is communicative in every way except speech, i agree taking him to a speech therapist and explaining that he couldn't hear for awhile would be helpful -- people are so quick to label someone with this syndrome or that and a speech therapist could work with him and determine what's going on. I have a niece who is his age and is just starting to talk. The problem there is that everyone waited on her hand and foot - she is the only grandchild on one side. She gestures and people run and fulfill every perceived need so she has no reason to talk any further. make sure you are creating opportunities where he needs to use words - or introduce words as if you would a baby by pointing to things and teaching.

I agree, the not being able to hear is a significant issue. In my son it created a disability, phonological learning disability. Have this addressed by speech therapist . Phonological learning disability can be improved and corrected but not after teenage years . By the time we found out my son had this it was too late to correct it .

http://www.psllcnj.com/services/services-what-we-treat_Phonological-Processing-Disorders.asp

 

Even though my son speaks impeccably he has great difficulty learning to spell and to create grammatically correct sentences due to the fact that he could not hear as a toddler .

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Great feedback from folks thus far - i learned a lot.

It sounds very logical to me that the loss or struggle with hearing early on would delay development of speech. Makes total sense.

 

The only other thing that popped into my head (about him having a fascination of "help me mommy" play), as well as the speech thing potentially, is if he may be imitating anything he's being exposed to (most likely a tv show or movie) that seems to get a positive reaction from the peopel around him. let's just say .... for some reason at a social gathering of family a Charlie Chaplin youtube video was playing or a silent humorous video was playing and had some harmless "help me" accident kind of humor going on - and that video had no dialog in it. Is there anytign like that going on that he's been exposed to that maybe he's just imitating b/c his observations from reactions are that "that's a good thing and makes my family and parents happy.." ?

 

i definitely think the speech thing (the primary concern here) - i think there's definitely something to the "loss of hearing" idea. So as some others said, definitely be extremely encouraging and attentive and look happy whenever he starts to utter things (as opposed to pointing) and see if it drws out more attempts to make sounds.

 

In the end.. this is definitely a question for professionals studied in the field moreso than a forum of random strangers. Definitely seek opinions of professional and eve multiple ones to see what the common ground feedback is.

 

Good luck. I think it's going to be okay. Nothign seemingly too concerning here.

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Seek a specialist. We are neither audiologists, speech therapy experts, nor behavioral specialists.

 

We are just people on a message board.

I am actually one of the three positions mentioned. However it would be very unethical for me to make any evaluations based on informal information over the internet. The OP does need to see a perofessional face-to-face.

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I am actually one of the three positions mentioned. However it would be very unethical for me to make any evaluations based on informal information over the internet. The OP does need to see a perofessional face-to-face.

 

Great response! This thread has gotten, quite frankly, ridiculous with all the "tips & tricks".

 

This is not a typical "he didn't call me back" post.

 

This is a 2 1/2 year old with quite possibly serious issues.

 

Go to a licensed professional. Take it from Snny, as she is one.

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I do not agree with him having to use the right word. Using a word that he uses for that item is his way of commincating - I think the goal is communication whether or not it’s the correct word. And be careful not to have him associate talking to get basic needs met - it shouldn’t be a form of discipline especially if he lacks the ability right now. And if you’re going to give in after five times or ten then he will just learn to wait that long until you give in. Also lots of positive reinforcement when he communicates in a verbal way.

 

I agree with this. Coaxing him to tell you what he wants (rather than show you) can be done in the spirit of playfulness. Encourage him to 'help you' to understand what things are called by him. Repeat back the sounds he makes as a question. Sometimes make it 'wrong' and allow him to correct you. Reward him whenever he tries.

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It would be best to get an opinion from a pediatric neurologist who can evaluate your son on many levels including developmental concerns and ruling out any possible early signs of genetic, metabolic, neurological or other disorders.

 

That type of workup is more detailed than general routine pediatric visits. Why not give yourselves peace of mind as parents? Perhaps the pediatric nurse in the office can also provide you with general guidelines regarding basic milestones.

My son is 2 1/2 years old. He did start speaking when he was about 1 old but the basics, mama, dada, fell, and so on. Then he stopped and about a year ago he went to have his ears checked and they where both blocked and he had to have "pipes" inserted into them. I´m not really worried that he is autistic or something major wrong. But it is concerning.

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It would be best to get an opinion from a pediatric neurologist who can evaluate your son on many levels including developmental concerns and ruling out any possible early signs of genetic, metabolic, neurological or other disorders.

 

That type of workup is more detailed than general routine pediatric visits. Why not give yourselves peace of mind as parents? Perhaps the pediatric nurse in the office can also provide you with general guidelines regarding basic milestones.

 

It typically is not a pediatric neurologist. It's a developmental pediatrician. The neurologist would be if there was a problem or potential problem in the brain area.

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